Risks and Health Effects of Fentanyl

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid being increasingly found in the illicit drug supply. It is commonly used as an additive in illegal drugs like heroin, counterfeit pills, ecstasy, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Even in tiny amounts, fentanyl can have severe and dangerous effects, including fatal overdose.^1–3

Read on to learn more about the effects and potential health risks of fentanyl and how to get help for opioid addiction.

Effects of Fentanyl

Fentanyl works by binding to and activating opioid receptors in a person’s body, and this can result in a wide array of effects. Depending on how much and how often a person has been using fentanyl, the nature and severity of these adverse effects may differ.¹

Other factors can also influence which effects are felt when taking fentanyl, such as whether a person has taken other substances alongside fentanyl, if they are taking other prescription medications, and other personal factors.⁴

Some adverse effects of fentanyl include:¹

• Sedation and drowsiness.
• Confusion.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Respiratory depression.
• Difficulty breathing.
• Nausea.
• Constipation.

Health Risks of Fentanyl Use

Fentanyl use can be risky. It can be especially dangerous when people aren’t aware of fentanyl being in other drugs that they may be using. Long-term effects and health risks of fentanyl use include:¹

• Overdose, which occurs when a person takes enough fentanyl to cause life-threatening injuries or death.
• Physical dependence, which may lead to withdrawal symptoms if a person stops using it.
• Opioid use disorder or fentanyl addiction.

Because of variable individual opioid tolerances, overdose may occur at different doses in different people. The dose taken by someone who uses it regularly could be a fatal dose for someone using it for the first time.¹

Physical dependence develops in association with repeated use of fentanyl over time. It is the result of the body’s physiological adaptations to the presence of fentanyl in its system.⁴

Possible fentanyl withdrawal symptoms that may begin within hours of the last dose include:^2,4,5

• Anxiety.
• Restlessness.
• Insomnia.
• Fever and sweating.
• Watery eyes and runny nose.
• Chills.
• Body aches.
• Abdominal cramping.
• Diarrhea and vomiting.
• Intense cravings.

Treatment professionals may diagnose fentanyl addiction by what’s known as an opioid use disorder. People who develop an opioid addiction involving fentanyl use have trouble controlling their use of the drug and often seek out opioids compulsively, despite the harmful consequences.¹

Risk of Fentanyl Overdose

Illicitly manufactured fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are involved in most fatal drug overdoses in the U.S., killing more than 150 Americans every day.^2,3

Fentanyl is an extremely powerful drug—up to 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine—and, with no smell or taste, it is difficult to detect. Even a small amount of fentanyl could be lethal for people with relatively lower opioid tolerance.^3,4

• Loss of consciousness and inability to waken.
• Pinpointed pupils.
• Slow, shallow breathing.
• Bluish or purple-colored fingernails or lips.

Mixing Fentanyl & Other Substances

People may consume fentanyl with other substances intentionally or unintentionally. Because it’s relatively cheap to use and extremely potent, drug dealers often mix it into other illicit drugs, such as heroin, meth, cocaine, and MDMA, to boost their profits.¹

Mixing fentanyl with other drugs is never safe. Fentanyl use combined with substances like alcohol, benzodiazepines (e.g., Xanax), and other opioids is especially dangerous and can increase the risk of:^1,2,4,6

• Overdose.
• Slowed or stopped breathing.
• Coma.
• Death.

Fentanyl Rehab in Orange County

If you or a loved one has lost control of their fentanyl or other drug use, help is available. Laguna Treatment Hospital is an Orange County rehab facility that provides effective, evidence-based care for people trying to recover from addiction.

At Laguna, we offer different levels of substance abuse treatment designed to meet each person’s individual needs, including medical detox, inpatient or residential treatment, and aftercare planning.

Call to speak with an admissions navigator, who can answer any questions you may have about using insurance to pay for rehab or other rehab payment options and help you start the rehab admissions process.

Health and healing are waiting for you. Call today.