What is Carfentanil?

01/03/19: Addiction \ Drug Addiction
Any kind of drugs can pose a threat to a person's mental and physical well-being. However, some are far more addictive and dangerous than others. One of the worst substances a person can get addicted to is carfentanil. In this blog, we will discuss what this drug is, how addictive it can be, and how to treat this addiction.

What Is Carfentanil?

Carfentanil or carfentanyl is an analog of the synthetic opioid analgesic fentanyl. This is one of the most potent drugs in the world. It was originally used in small doses to tranquilize large animals. If they were used in small doses to subdue a large animal (i.e. elephants), what could it do to a human? This drug is so potent that if a human were to even ingest a minuscule amount, they would die. It is also 100 times stronger than fentanyl (a highly potent and addictive drug used to treat nerve pain) and 10,000 times stronger than morphine (another highly potent and addictive drug that treats moderate to severe nerve pain).

Signs Of Use

Doctors, nurses, and first responders are all trained to identify if someone has abused the substance. Some usual signs of Carfentanil exposure/use are dilated pupils, disorientation, clammy skin, sedation, drowsiness, respiratory distress or failure. Carfentanil is a synthetic drug that is related to another synthetic opioid analgesic, fentanyl. Both of these drugs are highly potent and have the ability to kill someone even with the smallest dose. As little as 2 milligrams can kill you. As you can see in the picture above, the lethal doses for heroin, fentanyl, and carfentanil are extremely small, especially carfentanil. Even the smallest bit of physical or respiratory contact can result in some serious effects, you don’t even need to use the substance to have these effects.

Carfentanil Addiction

Addiction to carfentanil is one of the most dangerous addictions you can have. Addiction to this opioid can easily lead to death, especially if it is abused. Is this a surprise to anyone? It shouldn’t be, especially considering the fact that it is 10,000 times stronger than morphine, a drug used on patients who have gone through serious surgeries or have had injuries. Both morphine and carfentanil are made from the poppy plant, but carfentanil is much stronger.

How Dangerous Is This Drug?

In order to properly & safely handle this drug, a person needs to put on goggles, hazmat suit, and gloves. The fact that you need to do this in order to not be in danger goes to show exactly how bad this substance is for a person. As we discussed earlier, touching or inhaling a small amount of the substance can result in some serious effects and even result in a fatality. Just 5 milligrams of this substance can kill up to 7 one-ton buffalos, imagine what that dose could do to humans.

Carfentanil And The Opioid Crisis

Heroin addiction is a huge issue in this country, but it has recently gotten worse because heroin makers are putting carfentanil in the drug since it is cheaper than making pure heroin. The increase of carfentanil in heroin has resulted in widespread overdoses across the country, some even fatal. Overdosing on an opioid is no strange thing, but when someone uses heroin and gets a small dose of carfentanil in it, they may not know it’s in there. This has resulted in many deaths. When people consume carfentanil, they often don’t realize they are ingesting it. Over 600 people try heroin for the first time everyday. If some of these people are getting batches with carfentanil, they can easily overdose and even die. This has become a serious issue and has contributed to the epidemic of opioid addiction. In the last couple of decades, people have grown to be dependent on opioids to satisfy their need for an intense high or numbing feeling. Often times, people get addicted to painkillers after surgeries or injuries. When they run out of their prescription, they want more, but their doctor may not give it to them. This has resulted in many people looking for alternative medicines that can create that numbing feeling. This is where heroin comes in, as well as carfentanil.

Treating Carfentanil Addiction

Addiction is a disease and it can be cured or treated. Addiction centers around the country are ready to help someone who is struggling with this kind of addiction. The first step in overcoming the addiction? Admitting there is a problem with substance abuse. Content for Arizona Addiction by Cohn Media, LLC. Passionate and creative writing and broadcasting, covering the following industries: addiction rehab, health care, entertainment and technology. Advocate of clear communication, positivity and humanity at its best. www.cohn.media

If you or someone you know needs help with addiction, contact 602-737-1619 or email [email protected] to get the help you need. Our acclaimed recovery environment merges upscale, luxury accommodations with affordability, clinical expertise and an unwavering commitment to patient care and aftercare.

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