Fentanyl is a deadly synthetic opioid that is often mixed with other drugs on the street. Because of this, fentanyl overdose is common amongst drug users. The Drug Enforcement Administration found fentanyl-laced substances 8,600 times in a six-month period. On top of that, 28,400 people died because of synthetic opioid overdoses in 2017.
The opioid epidemic is a huge problem, causing thousands of overdoses each year. With synthetic drug makers infusing their street drugs with fentanyl, these overdoses only increase. Here are some of the most common drugs found to be laced with fentanyl.
Heroin
Fentanyl is often added to heroin as a way to increase its potency. This is because fentanyl is more potent in smaller doses when compared to heroin or other opioids. Unfortunately, because people who purchase heroin don’t know that it’s laced with fentanyl, overdose can occur quite easily. Because of this, drug users are often encouraged to use drug-testing kits before using their drugs, in order to ensure that they are as safe as possible.
Cocaine
Cocaine is another drug that is frequently found to be laced with fentanyl. Again, because fentanyl is so much more potent than cocaine, overdose is likely. Cocaine is also often used by addicts frequently. Users will take cocaine multiple times throughout the night to keep their high going, as cocaine produces a very short-lived high. When it’s laced with fentanyl, using a high quantity of cocaine in one night becomes much more dangerous.
Ecstacy
Ecstasy, MDMA, and Molly are so frequently laced with other drugs like fentanyl and methamphetamine that users often test their drugs before using them to ensure they haven’t been cut with something else. MDMA is one of the most commonly “cut” drugs and can be cut with tons of different drugs, including fentanyl, LSD, bath salts, ketamine, cocaine, aspirin, and more.
The DEA has reported that over 80 unique substances have been marketed as MDMA throughout the United States, and sometimes substances sold as MDMA don’t contain MDMA at all. Of course, taking drugs is dangerous, but taking drugs when you don’t know what’s in them is even more dangerous.
Those who buy powdered or crystallized MDMA are at a higher risk of getting a “cut” version than those who buy MDMA pills.
Marijuana
These days, even marijuana is being found cut with fentanyl. Many states have begun to notice this problem, calling it a “potential emerging health threat” as those who purchase marijuana laced with fentanyl would be at an extremely high risk of overdose. Those who use marijuana are much less likely to use hard drugs and don’t have a tolerance to substances like fentanyl. Those who smoke also often do so in high doses, meaning they could introduce a lot of fentanyl into their system very quickly.
Laced Drugs Can Cause Fentanyl Overdose
Laced drugs cause fentanyl overdose because of the high potency of fentanyl. When someone doesn’t know that something contains fentanyl, they’re more likely to consume more than the daily allowance of the drug, leading quickly to overdose.
Seek Treatment for Drug Addiction
If you or someone you love has a drug addiction, you/they should be careful when it comes to buying street drugs, as fentanyl overdose can occur in laced substances. While quitting drugs is the best solution, testing your drugs before using them is a good way to prevent death.
If you’re ready to seek treatment for your drug addiction, give Asheville Recovery Center a call today. We’re ready to help you on your path to recovery. You no longer have to struggle with addiction alone. Call to learn more.
