Fentanyl use is on the rise, and everyone needs to be aware of how synthetic opioids are the leading cause of overdose deaths in recent years. According to the CDC, overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids rose by 55.6% between January 2020 and the same month of the following year.
Being able to recognize the signs of fentanyl use could mean the difference between life and death for the people living with opioid or fentanyl addiction. While people sometimes underestimate the danger of using drugs, the sad truth is that the dangers of Fentanyl are extremely high due to its potency.
In fact, fentanyl is recognized as being 100 times more potent than the medication morphine. Being able to recognize the fentanyl overdose signs is also a critical way for everyone to do their part in helping to stop the opioid crisis.
7 Signs of Fentanyl Use You Should Never Ignore
Paying attention to fentanyl addiction symptoms can help you identify a need for treatment in you or a loved one. As you work on learning how to spot fentanyl use, remember that some signs manifest slowly while others could progress rapidly and be fatal.
When you’re wondering what are the first signs of Fentanyl use, it’s important to also know how to get fentanyl addiction help as soon as you suspect there’s a problem.
1. Extreme Drowsiness or Sedation
Sedation is one of the fentanyl side effects that physicians have used during medical procedures such as endoscopies. However, extreme drowsiness or nodding off could be fentanyl poisoning signs that you need to watch out for in your loved one.
Fentanyl has a depressant effect on the central nervous system. As the drug slows down your body’s processes, it can cause drowsiness. Fentanyl-laced drugs may cause your loved one to seem constantly tired or slur their words. You may need to take prompt action if your loved one struggles to stay conscious.
2. Slow or Shallow Breathing (Respiratory Depression)
Fentanyl also depresses the respiratory system, and the effects of disrupted breathing can occur within hours of using the drug. Knowing how to tell if someone is using fentanyl should include reviewing the signs of oxygen deprivation, such as gasping or having blue-tinted lips or skin.
Shallow breathing is also a sign that you may need to implement fentanyl overdose prevention techniques. Naloxone for fentanyl overdose could buy you precious time while you call 911 for emergency medical assistance.
3. Pinpoint Pupils
The eyes are often described as being windows to the soul, and a person’s pupils can give you some insight into their body’s current processes and mental state. Pinpoint pupils are one of the most common physical signs of Fentanyl use.
You might notice that your loved one’s pupils remain small, even in dim lighting. Confusion, dizziness and a lack of coordination are a few associated behaviors that could occur due to the changes in your loved one’s visual processing.
4. Unresponsiveness or Losing Consciousness
The signs of a fentanyl overdose vs. heroin overdose can be similar when it comes to losing consciousness. High doses of illicit fentanyl use can overwhelm the brain’s opioid receptors and cause someone to become completely unresponsive.
An overdose doesn’t necessarily mean death. There are overdose reversal drugs. Can Narcan reverse a fentanyl overdose? Yes, Narcan can reverse a fentanyl overdose within minutes. But, you will still need to take immediate steps to seek emergency care. Make sure to call 911 anytime you see signs that you need to administer Narcan. A loss of consciousness combined with slowed breathing are serious signs of a potential overdose.
5. Sudden Mood Changes or Confusion
Sometimes, figuring out how to recognize fentanyl withdrawal symptoms involves zeroing in on a person’s mood. Sudden mood changes or confusion can occur during the peak of someone’s use, but they can also be fentanyl withdrawal symptoms that cause someone to use more of the drug.
Depression, paranoia and memory problems are all signs that individuals may need prompt opioid withdrawal treatment. Attempting to self-treat these conditions could increase an individual’s risk of overdosing on several drugs at once due to impaired decision-making.
People with opioid-associated depression are also at risk of engaging in self-harm and other concerning behaviors. Although it might be upsetting to think of your loved one harming themselves by using synthetic opioids, it’s important to remember that the drug can cause impaired decision-making.
You can help your loved one find substance use treatment options that help restore their health and happiness.
6. Skin Issues: Cold, Clammy or Bluish Skin
So, what does fentanyl do to the body? Knowing the answers means recognizing the signs of circulatory problems. Pale, bluish or clammy skin that often appears around the fingertips and lips is a concerning symptom.
If these symptoms are paired with slowed breathing, then you need to take them as a sign of oxygen deprivation. Seeking emergency care is a life-saving measure that can also help your loved one see the importance of exploring drug addiction treatment programs.
7. Track Marks or Skin Damage from Injection
Track marks occur from repeated injections of fentanyl and can cause irritation to the skin and veins. You might spot the signs of fentanyl addiction on someone’s arms, legs or hands. The track marks can look like bruising or open wounds. Keep in mind that some people may snort fentanyl. Making sure to continue looking for the other most common physical signs of fentanyl abuse helps you recognize substance use quickly.
The Dangers of Ignoring the Signs of Fentanyl Use
Fentanyl and other opioids contribute to approximately 70% of the overall overdose deaths that occur. On top of being a highly potent drug, people may also mix fentanyl with other types of illicit substances.
There is also always the possibility of someone encountering fentanyl-laced drugs unknowingly. To increase the potency of other drugs, people who sell them may add fentanyl to increase physical and emotional dependency. Sadly, this contributes to the rise of fentanyl-related overdose deaths.
Figuring out how to help a loved one using fentanyl allows you to stop the drug from causing them severe harm.
How to Help Someone Struggling with Fentanyl Use
Fentanyl is highly addictive, which means that a person is likely to move quickly from casual use to a serious addiction. If you notice that someone is using fentanyl intentionally or more than for a first-time use, then it’s helpful to begin seeking the answers to questions such as, “Is fentanyl addiction treatable with medication-assisted treatment?”
Fortunately, it is possible to treat this type of addiction. You can also encourage your loved one to begin using harm-reduction strategies. For example, using fentanyl test strips can help people identify if the drug is included in a substance they plan to take. While test strips won’t necessarily tell you how much fentanyl is in a powder or other substance, knowing that it is present at all could help someone decide not to risk using it.
If you suspect that someone you care about is using fentanyl or other synthetic opioids, then having Narcan on hand can help you stop a potential overdose. With all harm reduction strategies, it’s still important to note that seeking treatment is the best way to prevent an overdose. Finding support for ending an addiction eliminates the risk of having an overdose and other negative side effects of using fentanyl.
If you have hopped online and typed in, “Where to get help for fentanyl addiction near me,” you can always turn to MedMark Treatment Centers. Medmark has locations in multiple states to provide you and your loved ones with prompt support that could be what saves someone’s life.
Get Help at MedMark Treatment Centers
Trying to end fentanyl addiction alone often leads to failure when the withdrawal symptoms become too hard to overcome. Many people use synthetic opioids to cope with co-existing mental health disorders. Someone who is dealing with severe withdrawal symptoms may need medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to get a stronger start in recovery.
At MedMark, we specialize in outpatient medication-assisted treatment (MAT), where you can find options that allow you to stop using opioids without having uncomfortable side effects that interfere with your daily responsibilities. Unlike inpatient treatment, which requires patients to stay overnight, MedMark offers the flexibility of outpatient care.
You’ll also find that MedMark offers a wide range of additional support services. Being able to attend individual or group therapy along with receiving MAT care creates a well-rounded treatment plan. When you recognize the serious signs of fentanyl addiction, take the first step toward getting help today. Reaching out to MedMark gives you immediate access to harm reduction strategies and a caring team of staff members who can help you or your loved one find a customized treatment plan that supports fentanyl addiction recovery. MedMark is here to help you!
