Fentanyl has been in the news often lately. You may have heard of it because of how many people have died from overdosing on it in the past few years. You might also have heard that its use is rampant in many major cities around the country.
What you may not know is exactly what this drug does to the people who use it. We will talk about fentanyl in the human system right now. Once you understand what this drug does, you will have a better idea of why it is so serious and why you must help someone in your life without delay if they are experimenting with it.
What Precisely is Fentanyl?
Let us start with a definition of fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that gets the user high. It is very much like morphine. However, it is much more potent. In fact, it can be anywhere from 50 to 100 times more powerful. Considering that morphine is already quite strong, that is a fact that should get your attention immediately.
How Fentanyl Impacts the Human Body
If you abuse fentanyl, it has several effects on the body, some of which you might notice immediately, some of which may only be apparent as time passes. In the short term, you will most likely feel euphoric. However, you may also feel drowsy, confused, or nauseous.
In the longer term, it is likely that fentanyl use will cause your heart to strain and work harder as it beats. It is for this reason that regular fentanyl users are more at risk for heart attacks and strokes.
You can also be rendered unconscious if you ingest too much fentanyl. You may have poor control of your muscles as well, and walking may be difficult.
How It Impacts the Mind
Long-term fentanyl use also impacts your mind. In the most immediate and obvious sense, it’s addictive. That means if you are used to ingesting it regularly, and you can’t get to it, you’re liable to be jittery, irritable, and erratic. If you are dealing with full-blown addiction, you may resort to robbery and similar antisocial acts to get the money necessary to get your fix.
Fentanyl is so addictive that some family members of those who have gotten hooked on it say that the afflicted individual seems like an entirely different person. Their speech patterns can change, and they might do things that seem completely out of character and incongruous with who they were before.
This is an indication that the user’s brain chemistry has changed. They may reach a point where they are virtually unrecognizable if they are not able to get the addiction and their cravings under control.
If you know someone who is struggling with fentanyl addiction, it is crucial that you get help for them before the changes to their body and mind put them in a place where they are past any power you have to aid them. Inpatient facilities are usually the best option.
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