Can Fentanyl Use Lead To Addiction?
Learn more about drug test kits and how the AMA supports efforts to increase access to fentanyl test strips and other substance test kits for the purpose of harm reduction. If used correctly, fentanyl test strips can detect the presence of the most common types of fentanyl in street drugs and pills. These strips can be a useful harm reduction tool for people who drugs. Fentanyl test strips may not be able to detect all forms of illicit fentanyl and they cannot tell you how much fentanyl may be present.
“We have sources trying to give us 20,000 pills when we only want to actually buy 1,000,” said Schultz, who works undercover, in an email to the Standard. The Center offers a number of weekly ‘Living with HIV’ groups facilitated by mental health professionals from The Center’s Behavioral Health Services, as well as peer-to-peer led groups. Like Stepping Stone, Stepping Out offers the same level of support in an outpatient setting which is flexible and allows people to live in their own home.
Understanding Fentanyl and Its Risks
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid commonly used for pain management in medical settings. It is significantly more potent than morphine and can pose severe risks when misused or obtained illegally.
It is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. Illicit fentanyl can be added to other drugs to make them cheaper, more powerful, and more addictive. Illicit fentanyl has been found in many drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, counterfeit pills, and cocaine.
In addition to distributing these supplies at pop-ups and community events listed on our events page, there are a few ways you can get naloxone and test strips to prevent a fatal overdose in your community. Find it in your community, or have it mailed to you by clicking here. Addiction is the most severe form of a substance use disorder (SUD).
It’s also important for the person experiencing an overdose not to take any more drugs or alcohol within (at least) a three hour period. If you are unable to seek medical assistance, and can not stay with the person yourself, ensure they are in the company of an individual who is aware of the situation and has more naloxone. Use this state-based locator to find a pharmacy, clinic, health department, or community based organization in your area that provides naloxone distribution. We suggest calling ahead to confirm inventory and in the case of pharmacy access, request information about co-pay. There has been an increase of fentanyl found in stimulants, like cocaine, as well as pills purchased in street-based economies. It can be purchased from a pharmacy (even without a prescription) or may be distributed by different organizations within your community.
Some forms, like Carfentanil which is used as an elephant tranquilizer, are more far potent than others. If there is a new variation or analog, the test strip likely won’t catch it until manufacturers add it to their products. Any drug in any form (powder, pill) you get from a dealer, friend or an online source could have fentanyl in it. You can’t smell or taste fentanyl and fake pills made from fentanyl can look like real pills from a pharmacy. There’s no way to know if -or how much- fentanyl may be in them.
Where Do You Buy Fentanyl?
Like morphine, it is a medicine that is typically used to treat patients with severe pain, especially after surgery. It is also sometimes used to treat patients with chronic pain who are physically tolerant to other opioids. Tolerance occurs when you need a higher and/or more frequent amount of a drug to get the desired effects. A synthetic opioid, fentanyl is often carefully prescribed by doctors to treat severe pain in people living with cancer, recovering from surgery or who are terminally ill. However, most fentanyl-involved deaths are due to illicitly made fentanyl, and a small amount is enough to cause an overdose.
The question of where do you buy fentanyl is complex, as it dives into legal and illegal avenues. Here are some points to consider:
As Sim explained, a single gram could kill thousands of people. Having been a good student with a strong talent in science, Sim was able to measure and mix just the right amount of fentanyl to give his customers a high they had never experienced. Several overdosed which he linked to their mixing in alcohol and other substances. If given in time, Narcan® (also known as Naloxone) can save the life of someone who is overdosing from opioids.
- Prescription Pharmacies: In many cases, fentanyl is available through a doctor’s prescription. It is crucial to consult a healthcare professional for legitimate medical use.
- Online Vendors: While some websites might offer fentanyl, purchasing from these sites is illegal and incredibly dangerous. The risk of counterfeit products is high.
- Illegal Street Dealers: Fentanyl may also be found through illicit channels. However, this approach greatly increases the risks of exposure to highly potent and unregulated substances.
The Dangers of Obtaining Fentanyl
Purchasing fentanyl without a prescription leads to several potential dangers:
- Overdose Risk: Even a small amount of fentanyl can cause respiratory failure and death.
- Contaminated Products: Drugs obtained illegally may contain harmful additives or varying concentrations of fentanyl.
- Legal Consequences: Buying or selling fentanyl without a prescription is illegal and can lead to severe legal repercussions.
Alternatives to Consider
If you or someone you know is struggling with pain management, consider these alternatives:
- Consultation with Healthcare Providers: Doctors can recommend safe and effective treatments tailored to individual needs.
- Physical Therapy: Non-drug treatments can alleviate pain and improve mobility.
- Using Non-Opioid Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers can be effective and pose less risk than opioids.
FAQs About Fentanyl
Q: Is fentanyl legal?
- You can’t smell or taste fentanyl and fake pills made from fentanyl can look like real pills from a pharmacy.
- Fentanyl test strips are an important tool for identifying fentanyl in a pill or powder, which can help prevent an opioid-involved overdose.
- But fentanyl is stronger than other opioid drugs like morphine and might require multiple doses of naloxone.
- Fentanyl is a strong synthetic opioid that has been used in clinical settings since 1968.
- The presence of fentanyl both in counterfeit pills and in illicit street drugs poses a grave threat to the safety of teens and adults alike.
- Test kits that include strips and a special testing solution can cost anywhere between $25 to $40 each and are available online.
A: Yes, fentanyl is legal when prescribed by a healthcare provider. However, obtaining it without a prescription is illegal.
Q: Why is fentanyl dangerous?
A: Due to its high potency, fentanyl poses significant overdose risks, especially when misused or obtained through illegal channels.
Q: Are there safe ways to obtain fentanyl?
A: The only safe way to obtain fentanyl is through a legitimate prescription from a qualified healthcare professional.
Conclusion
When exploring where do you buy fentanyl, it is essential to prioritize safety and legality. Engaging with this powerful drug without proper medical supervision can have dire consequences, both physically and legally. Always consult healthcare providers for guidance on pain management or medication needs.
