The impact of fentanyl use in the United States has been devastating. Since then, the production and distribution of the drug have become more commonplace, spreading around the world through criminal organizations seeking to make a profit. The rise of illicit fentanyl can be traced back to China, where it was first produced and exported to North America in the early 2000s. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl, which is often mixed with other drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or counterfeit prescription pills, has been the primary cause of a dramatic increase in overdose deaths in recent years. However, in recent years, fentanyl has made its way out of hospitals and hospices and onto the black market, becoming a significant public health concern in the United States. In the 1990s, pharmaceutical companies began producing fentanyl patches and oral lozenges for the treatment of severe pain, something usually reserved for cancer patients and those in the end stages of their lives. The Impact of Fentanyl Use in the United Statesįentanyl, a synthetic opioid, was first synthesized in 1959 and used primarily as an anesthetic and pain reliever during surgical procedures in a hospital setting. Call Bicycle Health now to learn more about how Medication for Addiction Treatment (MAT) can help your loved one begin the healing process. If your loved one is living with a fentanyl use problem or any kind of OUD, we can help. The sooner the person recognizes that treatment is needed and connects with treatment, the sooner they are free of potential overdose, accident while under the influence, and acute and chronic health conditions that can result from fentanyl use. Once a substance that was relegated to hospitals and hospices only, it has made its way out onto the street market in the past decade, becoming an increasing problem for people who struggle with opioid use disorder (OUD).īecause fentanyl is incredibly potent - up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine - even very small amounts can result in an overdose.įor this reason, early identification of an opioid use disorder related to fentanyl is imperative. Fentanyl is a dangerous and deadly opioid drug.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |