Fentanyl Statistics 2025: Latest Overdose & Addiction Data

A person’s breathing will continue to slow down during a fentanyl overdose until they stop breathing entirely, cutting off the oxygen supply to the brain. Fentanyl is a type of synthetic opioid that is notoriously potent. It is estimated to be up to 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. A person taking prescribed fentanyl can experience dependence, meaning they have withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the drug. A healthcare professional may prescribe medications such as Alcoholics Anonymous buprenorphine and methadone, which affect the same receptors in the brain as those affected by fentanyl.

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Harm reduction services aren’t designed to push someone into treatment for their substance use, but they will be able to help you find the right support if you want to reduce your drug use. Mixing drugs, especially different types of drugs that have similar effects, increases the risk of problems. Dr. Brooke Keels, Chief Clinical Officer of Lighthouse Recovery, Dallas, highlights the importance of harm reduction strategies for fentanyl users.

How can I find out if my drugs or pills contain fentanyl?

Test strips are mostly available through treatment or harm reduction providers. People can try NEXT Distro or their state’s Department of Public Health. I don’t believe they’re reimbursed by insurance, but they’re relatively inexpensive. The other thing about the test strips is they can be very useful if somebody only uses cocaine, for example; they can test the cocaine to make sure there’s no fentanyl in it.

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Naloxone https://diretrizportugal.pt/50-substance-abuse-group-therapy-activities-for/ reverses a fentanyl overdose by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, blocking and reversing the effects of the opioid. If you or someone you know is experiencing slow or labored breathing, oxygen deprivation to the brain and organs, brain damage, or organ failure, it may be a sign of a fentanyl overdose. A fentanyl overdose can occur within minutes of ingestion, with severe symptoms appearing in less than 60 seconds after oral ingestion.

Common questions about fentanyl harm reduction

• A person making these sounds needs immediate medical intervention – they’re unable to maintain their airway independently.
• “I do know that there’s always more we can do in a bipartisan way to curb overdose deaths. Cutting grants to states and laying off thousands of employees isn’t a plan,” she said.
• National Harm Reduction Coalition creates spaces for dialogue and action that help heal the harms caused by racialized drug policies.

Recognizing these signs can be critical in seeking timely medical assistance and preventing fatal outcomes. Not how long does fentanyl stay in your system only does a fentanyl overdose harm the brain, but it also affects other organs. The kidneys and liver are most vulnerable to failure during a fentanyl overdose, and this vulnerability is directly related to the progression of severe symptoms, including oxygen deprivation and potential brain damage. Recognizing the progression of these symptoms can be integral in responding to an overdose effectively and promptly.