Communities are now working to find ways to help people with addiction rather than just ignoring or criticizing them. Cities are trying to provide more treatment options, harm reduction services, and education to help people understand that addiction is a medical condition that needs treatment. Immediate action is necessary if someone exhibits signs of a fentanyl overdose. Clearly state that someone is unresponsive and not breathing, providing the exact location. They further emphasize the need for harm reduction strategies and addiction treatment to help the growing problem of fentanyl abuse. This is the story of many fentanyl users who become dependent on and develop a tolerance to opioids without realizing it until they are unable to get them.
Why the Fentanyl Fold Is So Dangerous
Fentanyl can also induce muscle rigidity, contributing to unusual postures. Their heads are bowed, their knees are bent, and they are often unable to respond or move. The most troubling aspect of San Francisco’s fentanyl crisis is the more than 800 people who died from drug overdoses last year, and of those, around 80% involved the use https://medviewimaging.com/alcoholic-addiction-get-the-treatment-you-need-2/ of the deadly opioid fentanyl. This is a national problem, and not at all exclusive to San Francisco.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
- That year, there were 1,927 opioid overdose deaths among Arizona residents, the department reported.
- Valley Spring Recovery Center offers comprehensive addiction and mental health treatment services.
- It’s important to identify warning signs that could indicate a fentanyl overdose.
- Drugs mixed with fentanyl are extremely dangerous, and many people may be unaware that their drugs contain it.
People may take the gel out of the patch and either put it in their mouth or inject it. Therapy and counseling are critical components of fentanyl addiction treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based therapies help individuals understand the root causes of their addiction, develop coping strategies, and address any co-occurring mental health issues. After detox, residential treatment provides a structured environment for recovery. Align Recovery Centers offer comprehensive residential programs designed to support individuals through the early stages of recovery.
What Is the Fentanyl Fold? Understanding This Dangerous Sign of Opioid Use
The fentanyl fold can be an early sign that someone is on the edge of a drug overdose or respiratory failure, which is why this posture should never be ignored. It’s essential for people around those exhibiting this behavior to recognize the severity of the situation and, if necessary, contact emergency services. While the Fenty Fold represents a frightening symptom of fentanyl’s devastating effects, recovery remains possible with appropriate professional support. People can and do recover from fentanyl addiction when they receive comprehensive treatment that addresses the unique challenges this substance presents. Because the drug is less expensive than other opioids, people making it illegally commonly mix it into drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamines.
- “In health care, we dose fentanyl in micrograms,” explains Amanda N. Donald, MD, an addiction medicine physician at Northwestern Medicine.
- If you are switching from one product to another, your doctor will prescribe a dose that is best for you.
- This can raise their risk of serious or even deadly pregnancy complications.
- Support groups provide a community of individuals who understand the challenges of addiction.
- Producers of illicit fentanyl add it to or substitute it for other street drugs to increase profits and the potential for addiction — which keeps their customers coming back for more.
- Because the drug is less expensive than other opioids, people making it illegally commonly mix it into drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamines.
- Inpatient treatment can provide you with a safe environment where you can detox and learn the tools necessary for a healthy recovery.
- Powdered fentanyl can also be pressed into pills that look like prescription pills such as Percocet or Xanax.
- Paramedics and emergency departments across New Jersey are overwhelmed by the frequency of fentanyl-related calls.
Additionally, fentanyl that is mixed with “tranq” or xylazine has been shown to cause terrible skin ulcers that can become infected. When we stop seeing these images as strange or funny and start seeing them as symptoms of a medical emergency, we move toward compassion, awareness, and solutions. If you see someone exhibiting these signs—especially in the folded over position—call 911 immediately and administer naloxone if available. You must immediately dispose of any medication that is outdated or no longer needed through a medicine take-back program.. If you do not have a take-back program nearby or one that you can access promptly, then flush the fentanyl down the toilet so that others will not take it.
The fent fold can be a warning sign that someone is having or about to have an overdose. When someone is in the bent-over position and can’t respond when you try to talk to them or touch them, this is a medical emergency. There are specific signs to watch for that mean someone needs help right away. These signs mean their body isn’t getting enough oxygen, which can lead to brain damage or death if not fentanyl fold treated promptly. Central nervous system (CNS) depression is the primary reason the fent fold happens. The central nervous system includes the brain and spinal cord, which control everything the body does.
Why This Posture Indicates Danger
Fentanyl causes extreme muscle relaxation, particularly in the muscles that help people stand up straight. When fentanyl reduces muscle tone, these muscles become relaxed to the point that they can’t do their job of supporting the body. When these core muscles become too relaxed, people lose the strength needed to stay upright. Today’s Chronicle alcoholism symptoms takes a semi-scientific look into why people slouch over when using fentanyl. Turns out this happens to some degree with many other opioids, like heroin and oxycodone — the so-called “nod” one gets in an initial high. But since much of the fentanyl supply has become exponentially more powerful than heroin, the slouching effect is most pronounced with fentanyl.
Paths to Healing: Seeking Effective Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction
Seeing someone bent in the fentanyl fold means that the drug is having a strong, dangerous effect on their body. Spotting it quickly can mean the difference between life and death, giving only a short window to act before it’s too late. Seeing the fentanyl fold is a clear sign of severe opioid intoxication.
