There are two types of opioids that people can get addicted to. One is natural opioids that are created from the opium poppy seed plant. Codeine, Morphine, Heroin, Opium, and many types of prescription pain killers are examples. Then there are synthetic opioids that affect someone the same way as a natural opioid but are more potent. Synthetic opioids include Fentanyl, Methadone, Carfentanil, and Tramadol. Addiction to either natural opioids or synthetic is serious, and the only effective treatment is long-term rehab that provides medication-assisted treatment with behavioral therapy.
In 2020, 9.5 Million People Aged 12 or Older were identified as having misused an opioid. (SAMHSA)
What is Fentanyl?
Compared to other powerful opioids, Fentanyl is at the forefront of concern. It is a medication that is prescribed for chronic and debilitating pain. Most doctors will not prescribe Fentanyl unless there is no other option to manage their patient’s level of pain. There are also multiple illicit forms of Fentanyl. Since Fentanyl is such a potent drug, dealers are using it to cut heroin and other drugs to increase their strength. They create powder forms of illegal Fentanyl and mix it with many illegal drugs (heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, etc.). Also, it is being pressed into pills that look like other prescription medicines (such as OxyContin, Percocet, Xanax, Vicodin, etc.) Both legal and illegal Fentanyl cause addiction and accidental overdose.
What is Carfentanil?
Carfentanil is known as a Fentanyl analog which means it was invented to mimic the effects of Fentanyl. It is one of the most toxic opioids currently known. It is a synthetic opioid that veterinarians use to medicate and sedate very large animals like bison and elephants. It is not for human use. Yet, frightening as it is, Carfentanil is being mixed into illicit drugs like heroin, meth, and cocaine or as counterfeit pills made to look like prescription opioids or benzodiazepines, and others. There is no way to identify if any drug contains Carfentanil, just like Fentanyl. Because Carfentanil is so potent, veterinarians who use Carfentanil wear protective gear, such as gloves and face shields, when administering the drug. Some of the common street names for Carfentanil include grey death, serial killer, drop-dead, and C-50.
What is the Difference between Carfentanil and Fentanyl?
The opioid crisis in the United States is worse than ever, and there is now the threat of Fentanyl laced heroin and other drugs. Carfentanil is another potent synthetic opioid that is also being found mixed with illegal drugs. The difference between Fentanyl and Carfentanil is about strength. First of all, Fentanyl is 50 times more powerful than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Carfentanil is 100 times more powerful than Fentanyl and 10,000 times more potent than morphine. It only takes a minuscule amount of Fentanyl and even smaller amounts of Carfentanil to kill a person.
What Do Medical Experts Say About Carfentanil?
The National Institutes of Health have an immense concern about successfully reversing an opioid overdose from Carfentanil. The drug Narcan (naloxone) is not as effective in reversing Carfentanil overdose as it is for other potent opioids, and there is a lack of resources in hospitals to thwart the problem.
At present, Carfentanil is the most dangerous fentanyl derivative. Carfentanil produces similar pharmacological effects to other opioids. However, due to its extraordinary potency, reversing carfentanil-induced severe and recurring respiratory depression requires administration of multiple or higher than standard doses of naloxone. Toxicological reports indicate that carfentanil use is strongly connected to polydrug use. Detection of Carfentanil requires specific and sensitive analytical methods that are not commonly available in hospitals. (NIH)
Is There a Solution to Carfentanil & Fentanyl Overdoses?
One solution to the opioid epidemic is more access to medication-assisted treatment centers and for Narcan to be distributed to all opioid addicts without bias to reduce overdose. Progress has been made, and many states allow the sale of Narcan without a prescription. Still, Carfentanil is so strong that Narcan may not work. The best solution is to treat people with opioid addiction quickly and thoroughly. Medication-assisted treatment programs combine opioid replacement medications and behavioral therapy that are proven to help chronic opioid addicts get free of their addiction.
Evoke Wellness is a Leading Opioid Addiction Rehab Center
We provide treatment and therapy for heroin, prescription painkillers, Fentanyl, and Carfentanil. Most of our patients need help with their addiction to opioids. Our programs are successful because we rely on medication-assisted treatments, cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, dialectical behavioral therapy, and personalized treatment plans. Medically supervised opioid detox is available now, followed by a custom treatment program for you or your loved one. Call now at (833) 969-3318 for immediate help. Chat or email for more information.
