What is Fentanyl: Uses, Effects & Addiction

What is fentanyl as a drug?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, which means it uses no natural ingredients. That means, unlike opium and other opioid drugs, fentanyl is not derived from the opium poppy. It can be snorted, smoked, taken orally or applied to the skin via a patch. It has very often been found cut into other opioid drugs like heroin for dealers to make more profit without informing the buyer. This has led to many overdoses.

 

What is fentanyl used for?

While very rare in South Africa, fentanyl can be prescribed via a doctor for pain relief or used as an anesthetic. Doctors will typically only go this method when a patient cannot use other opioid pain killers.

On the street, fentanyl is used for the feeling of relaxation and happiness caused by the extreme increase in dopamine. This major high has a near guaranteed addiction rate. When used medically under the supervision of a doctor, the chance of addiction is still there.

What is a fentanyl patch?

Prescribed by doctors, fentanyl patches are adhesives that can be stuck to the body for severe pain relief. Each patch is manufactured to have exactly the correct dose of fentanyl that was prescribed. Patches can be placed on the chest, back, arms or sides of the waist, allowing the fentanyl to be absorbed through the skin.

Mechanism of action of fentanyl

Once fentanyl enters the system, it works directly on the central nervous system. More technically, it binds to the μ-opioid receptors (MOR) which interrupt the way nerves signal pain between the brain and body. Additionally, it opens potassium channels while closing calcium channels which further diminishes pain signals.

Naturally, our μ-opioid receptors also trigger the release of dopamine into our system. Fentanyl overloads this process creating a spike in dopamine which is where the feeling of euphoria or the “high” comes from.

In combination, the fast acting effects of relaxation and high cause respiratory depression. The affected person’s breathing slows down to a point where they might become hypoxic, leading to an overdose that is highly fatal.

The difference between morphine and fentanyl

Morphine, heroin and fentanyl are all opioid drugs. The biggest difference is that the opium in morphine and heroin come from the opium poppy and fentanyl’s opium is made in a lab. It’s this difference that causes fentanyl to cross the blood brain barrier quicker, making it quicker acting with a shorter duration. Morphine’s effects take a little longer to enter the system and last longer but can cause a histamine reaction that leaves some people with itching and a drop in blood pressure. This is why some doctors may prescribe fentanyl as it does not share this effect.

The strength of fentanyl vs other drugs

Fentanyl is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. There is not a lot of proof for the strength against other drugs, but fentanyl is vastly stronger than most other pain medications and street drugs that produce a similar effect.

Is there fentanyl in South Africa?

The short answer is yes, there is fentanyl in South Africa. However, it is not here in the same capacity that it is in other countries like the USA. The National Essential Medicines List Committee (NEMLC) approved transdermal fentanyl for medical use when morphine or other opioids could not be used. This would be in cases where patients had a histamine reaction to morphine. Transdermal means through the skin, so the fentanyl patches that can be stuck to the body. Unlike other countries, South Africa does not have the same synthetic opioid issue, so it is not common to be found as a street drug. However, heroin, another opioid, is one of the most problematic drugs in South Africa.

Signs and symptoms of fentanyl abuse and addiction

The symptoms of fentanyl include the following:

addiction risk is extremely high, even after limited use and most of the time unknowingly. Drug dealers cut their product with fentanyl to make extra money and drive up dependence on their supply. Because it is so strong, overdose can happen very quickly and is often fatal. Symptoms of a fentanyl overdose include:

If you see someone suffering from any of these symptoms or are convulsing on the floor after taking any substance, it is important to act immediately and call your emergency line. In South Africa that number is 10177 for an ambulance or 112 for most cell phone emergency calls. While on the call, place the person experiencing overdose into the recovery position and ensure that their breathing is unobstructed and follow any instructions the emergency response tells you to. The faster you act, the higher the chance they are to survive.

Symptoms of fentanyl withdrawal and timeline

The effects of fentanyl are incredibly strong, which in turn makes the withdrawal symptoms very strong too. These symptoms include:

Does withdrawal from patches differ?

No. Because the patches contain the exact same substance, withdrawal from patches if they have been misused or abused is the exact same.

Fentanyl and drug addiction and treatment in South Africa

Fentanyl addiction might not be a major problem in South Africa, but the effect it has on the few who are is just as big. Any drug addiction, including fentanyl, can be treated with the right care and you don’t need to struggle alone. If you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl or any other drug addiction, The Way Recovery can help you walk the path to recovery.

Our five star care facilities in Pretoria include medical professionals, psychologists, psychiatrists and counsellors that will hold your hand through withdrawal, help you through the 12 step addiction recovery process and give you the tools to stay clear from dependence on drugs.

Call us today and a professional will help you take the next step to recovery.

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