Are you curious about how common snorting fentanyl really is? Most people have heard about fentanyl in the media, but you may not have a complete idea of what it is and why it is so dangerous.
Fentanyl is a fast-acting drug used to treat severe pain. It is most often prescribed for post-operative care or for patients who experience pain so intense they no longer respond to other pain medications. It’s an opioid like heroin and morphine, but much stronger and much more addictive. A fentanyl high can make a user feel extremely euphoric, yet very relaxed.
If you’re a fan of TV shows like The Walking Dead, you can probably picture the zombie-like effects this drug has. The reality is that when a substance is used in a way other than it is prescribed, the risks increase.
Is fentanyl snorted? Yes. Drug users are snorting fentanyl, causing the number of overdose deaths to rise steadily. The terrifying fact is that fentanyl is currently being used on the streets in a similar manner to heroin, despite the horrors it can cause for the person who uses it.
Can You Snort Fentanyl? Yes, But It’s Extremely Dangerous
If you came here wondering, “do people snort fentanyl,” the unfortunate answer is yes. People have been doing it for much longer than it has been an item on the news. It’s happening right now, and it has repercussions that many who use it aren’t fully aware of.
Snorting fentanyl is a gateway method of use that can often lead to intravenous needles. It seems to be a transition between taking a pill and using a needle, making the descending spiral into dangerous drug use seem not as sheer or shocking. Then addiction can set in and lead to using the drug more often and in larger doses.
Fentanyl obtained on the streets is often produced illegally in an underground lab. This type of fentanyl commonly comes in powder form, making it ideal for snorting. Snorting fentanyl allows it to reach the brain faster and causes a more intense high. The quick onset is part of why snorting fentanyl is so dangerous.
Another issue is that fentanyl is often mixed into things like cocaine and heroin, making the original drug much more powerful. As a result, some drug users will receive a deadly amount of fentanyl without realizing they are even consuming it.
Fentanyl taken without a prescription can be life-threatening. However, smoking or snorting fentanyl will be even more hazardous and dangerous. The drug itself has even been referenced as the most dangerous in America.
Why Do People Snort Fentanyl?
When using drugs, you may claim to have boundaries that you will never cross. For example, if you are used to swallowing pills, you might think you will never progress to snorting powders. Likewise, if you are used to snorting powders, you may think you will never progress to taking IV drugs.
However, as you become more comfortable will drug use, you will ultimately find yourself crossing your boundary line, thinking “maybe this isn’t as bad as I thought it was”. So you move from one drug to another and eventually end up trying the ones you would never have thought you would when all of this started.
Fentanyl is often a gateway drug to heroin. Both drugs have similar effects on the brain, but purchasing heroin on the streets tends to be easier to obtain and cost much less than fentanyl. Therefore, someone who is using fentanyl and wants something similar for a lower cost may go on to use heroin.
What Happens if You Snort Fentanyl?
Aside from damaging your sinuses and nasal passages, you’re putting yourself at risk for serious side effects, such as cardiovascular arrest. Fentanyl is an insanely powerful drug, nearly 100 times as potent as morphine. It’s so potent that it’s measured in micrograms.
Because it’s so much stronger than other opioids, fentanyl is far more dangerous, especially when snorted. In fact, because of its potency, there is only a very slight difference between a dose that can get you high and a dose that can kill you. Since snorting fentanyl causes the effects to happen sooner and stronger, it also means they last for a shorter duration of time. This means that a user will have to take more doses to sustain the same high, each time increasing the risk of taking a fatal dose.
Side Effects When Snorting Fentanyl
No matter how fentanyl is used, it runs the risk of creating side effects. Some side effects are present when using the drug as prescribed, but the risks rise exponentially when snorting fentanyl.
What happens if you snort fentanyl? You could experience any of the side effects listed below:
- Issues with sleeping
- Tiredness or fatigue
- Pain located in the back or chest
- Weakness
- Sweating
- Diarrhea
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Impaired vision
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Weight loss
- Decreased appetite
In addition to the physical side effects listed above, snorting fentanyl can also have mental health side effects, including:
- Strange thoughts
- Anxiety
- Odd dreams
- Depression
- Hallucinations
In addition, snorting fentanyl can put a person at risk of severe reactions that can turn fatal. Some of these include seizures, respiratory issues, fainting, trouble swallowing, confusion, and feeling unsteady and dizzy.
Assistance for Fentanyl Addiction or Other Substance Abuse Problems
Snorting fentanyl is a dangerous practice that can lead to terrible side effects, including but not limited to death. It’s a powerful pain medication that may be combined with other illicit drugs. If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to fentanyl, it’s essential to seek out treatment as soon as possible.
If you are struggling with abuse of fentanyl or any other substance, give us a call at (512) 598-9968. Unlike traditional rehab treatment centers, at Any Length, we specialize in helping addicted men and their families find lifelong recovery from addiction through the application of the twelve steps.
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