Rehab Releases Blog on Fentanyl Overdose

Largo, FL – Clean Recovery Centers is a local rehab on the Gulf Coast, and their latest blog installment informs readers on how much fentanyl it takes to overdose. Their program offers a unique, three-phase approach to addiction treatment that has helped hundreds to find their recovery.

“Illicit fentanyl is a form of synthetic opioid, meaning it is man-made. Natural opioids – such as morphine – are derived from the opium poppy plant. Opioids such as fentanyl and heroin go through further processing to make them more potent. Fentanyl is one of the most potent illicit opioids on the market, being 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Combined with the fact that fentanyl is odorless, colorless, and tasteless, it is easily added to other substances without knowledge, adding to the danger factor,” the blog reads.

Overdoses happen when the body becomes overwhelmed by a substance, including alcohol, stimulants, and even common multivitamin ingredients such as iron or vitamin C. Fentanyl is no different, but due to its potency, it takes a lot less fentanyl to cause harm than other substances. In most cases, people do not know they have ingested fentanyl. Fentanyl has no color, taste, or smell, and tends to look like a white powder or clear liquid. Dealers add fentanyl to other substances because it is cheap and can increase the desired effects. However, this can lead to an overdose before the person realizes it.

Those who knowingly take fentanyl are at risk for an overdose as well. Even being careful and monitoring the amount taken, an overdose can still happen. Dealers use other substances to cut their products to extend their profit and increase the effects of the substance. Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer that has been seen mixed with fentanyl. This is dangerous as xylazine and fentanyl both depress the respiratory system, causing breathing to slow and even stop. Narcan can reverse the effects of a fentanyl overdose, but it is ineffective against xylazine.

“There is no substance off limits to potentially be laced with fentanyl. Heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines have all been seen to have fentanyl present. Even fentanyl-laced weed has been reported here in Florida. However, some of the most common substances laced with fentanyl are pills. Dealers can press fentanyl powder into pills such as Xanax or ecstasy without leaving a trace behind. Rainbow fentanyl has been one of the biggest trends in the country, where pills are colored yellow, blue, pink, green, and purple to resemble candy. The goal for dealers is to get adolescents and teens to begin trying substances for future business. The pills can mimic the appearance of oxycodone or benzodiazepines, but contain only fentanyl and other additives,” the blog continues.

As little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal according to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with most rainbow fentanyl pills containing up to five milligrams. A study hypothesized the relation between higher body fat percentages and higher concentrations of fentanyl in the system, but the data was inconclusive. This shows that fentanyl can be lethal no matter body size, gender, and even opioid tolerance.

Clean Recovery Centers is a leading provider of substance use disorder treatment, with locations throughout the Suncoast. They also offer mental health treatment for those with co-occurring disorders. In the three-phase approach, clients will attend different therapies and classes in both individual and group settings to address the root causes of their substance use disorders.

To learn more about Clean Recovery Centers, call (888) 330-2532 or visit their website.