Opioids, Fentanyl, Heroin
Crystal Meth is currently being laced, diluted, or cut, as you would say on the street with Fentanyl.
What in the world is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is an opioid drug that prescribers use for very last-line Treatment for pain. The prescribing and dispensing of Fentanyl requires advanced training. Prescribers and pharmacists need to follow strict guidelines when giving Fentanyl to Patients. Minimal amounts of Fentanyl may cause respiratory depression and what is known as an overdose, depending on the patient.
The addition of Fentanyl to Crystal Meth may make the drug more appealing to some of you out there who misuse opioids because it may feel familiar to you. It may cause you to overdose without knowing that your Crystal Meth contains Fentanyl. Risks of overdose exist even if you know your Crystal Meth has Fentanyl because you don't know how much and how much is too much for you at the time you use.
What are some names of other opioids?
Oxy, Oxycodone, Oxycontin, Percs, Percocet, Narcs, Norco, Vicodin, Heroin, Morphine, Dilaudid are some names of opioids.
Not all opioids hit the same receptors. Some prescribers use opioids that create less of a high or not a very sought-after high for step-down therapy. The way you use an opioid and the purpose you are using it for is also essential.
For instance, Methadone, Subutex (Buprenorphine), and Suboxone (buprenorphine/Naloxone) are Opioids that prescribers can use to treat opioid use disorder.
The above medications may be necessary for some people who have had very long-term opioid use and can not stop misusing opioids without Medication-Assisted Treatment. Subutex or Methadone may also help those who have to use opioids to treat severe pain.
For instance, if you are in pain and go to a program that will get you into complete abstinence, you may still end up needing narcotics for your pain, which can become an endless cycle of abstinence and relapse. Buprenorphine may be a good in-between treatment option because it may be able also to control your pain.
Buprenorphine is what we call a partial agonist/antagonist drug which means it will only hit some opioid receptors and block others. People who misuse opioids are less likely to choose Buprenorphine to get high because it may not feel the same as misusing Oxycodone or Heroin.
I have heard some of you say that you care about the high and not about whether you overdose. Many of your friends, relatives, loved ones, even strangers care about you and love you. You are an essential part of society and have every right to experience the gift of a happy life filled with your hopes, dreams, and lots of Love free of substances. The change can start with you, and your loved ones or even strangers can help. You may not be feeling that because long-term misuse of Opiates may have caused you to lose some of your emotions. Even if you don't have anyone out there that you can think of right now, know that God loves you all and cares for you very much.
If you are currently using Heroin or Fentanyl and have become addicted to it, you may find that you are stuck in a vicious cycle that you may be ready to step out of, but something is holding you back. You may discover ambivalence in your mind, and your heart may want to stop using on some days. You may have plans and goals that you would like to reach, while on other days, you may find yourself right back buying more Heroin, Fentanyl, or whatever your drug of choice is.
I would encourage you to take a leap of faith, find the kind of help you are ready for & contact your loved ones for recovery support. If you have tried before and it did not work for you, repeatedly try professional help and various safe methods because you deserve it. You deserve that chance at life—a chance to feel the positive things life has to offer without drugs. I have seen many try several different Rehab facilities and methods until one of them worked.
If you feel you are not addicted, you may want to step back and assess how your drug of choice impacts you in your daily life. How is it affecting your relationship with your loved ones, your health, work, school, and finances? Ask friends and family if they agree with your drug misuse not impacting you negatively.
With lots of Love,
*Please be advised that this article is not to be taken as Medical Advice. It's for informational purposes only. Each person needs to consult their own physician or healthcare provider for medical advice and/or Treatment.