If you or a loved one is struggling with carfentanil addiction, know that you are not alone. Our team of medical, clinical, and wellness experts are here to help you break free from addiction and achieve the happy, healthy life you deserve.
In 1974, Janssen Pharmaceutical developed Carfentanil and sold it by the name of Wildnil®. Users rarely become addicted because a tiny dose of the substance, less than a grain of salt, is enough to be fatal. Keep reading to find out more about common side effects and signs of a carfentanil overdose and how to treat carfentanil addiction.
Carfentanil is one of the most potent opioids available today. Initially developed as a tranquilizer for large animals like elephants, its potency, which is said to be 10,000 times stronger than morphine, makes it incredibly dangerous for human consumption. Carfentanil addiction isn’t just about physical dependency; it’s a growing public health crisis. Understanding what carfentanil addiction entails involves digging deeper into a complex web of issues.
Even for long-term opioid users, carfentanil can be extremely dangerous as only a few granules of the drug can cause an overdose. It also has a rapid onset compared to other substances in the opioid family, which can make it more difficult for its effects to be reversed by naloxone (Narcan) in time. Carfentanil is also difficult to detect with illicit drug manufacturers mixing the drug seamlessly with other substances like heroin and fentanyl.
Understanding these aspects can help you see why carfentanil addiction is such a critical issue that requires urgent attention.
Popular names include:
In its liquid form, carfentanil is colorless and odorless. It is often concealed in other drugs such as heroin, fentanyl, and sometimes cocaine. As a result, it’s difficult to identify. It also comes in tablets, patches, and sprays. In powder form, it has a white or pale yellow color, similar to heroin. Additionally, the drug can be shades of brown or pink on some occasions.
Carfentanil can be smoked, snorted, injected, or taken orally. It is also found in pill form, resembling prescription drugs.
The incredible strength stems from carfentanil’s classification as an ultrapotent and selective agonist of µ-opioid receptors, which are crucial for regulating pain and mood in the human body.
The danger doesn’t stop with its potency alone. If carfentanil enters the body, even in minuscule amounts, the risk of overdose is alarmingly high. The drug’s high lipophilicity means it quickly distributes through extravascular compartments like the brain and adipose tissue, amplifying its deadly effects. Notably, the exact lethal dose range for humans remains unknown, adding an unpredictable element to its hazards.
A DEA warning issued in September 2016 says that overdose symptoms could appear within minutes of exposure to carfentanil. First responders have often found that naloxone, a medication commonly used to counteract opioid overdoses, may require multiple doses to be effective against carfentanil’s overpowering influence.
This frightening potency and resistance to treatment make carfentanil not just a public health issue but a pressing threat. Understanding its exceptional strength is crucial for recognizing the profound dangers it poses, especially given its presence as a cutting agent in street heroin and its role in numerous overdose incidents.
When you use carfentanil, you’re exposing yourself to a range of short-term effects that can take hold almost immediately. For instance, symptoms of carfentanil use include
Due to its powerful impact on the central nervous system, it can rapidly slow down both your respiratory and nervous systems. This deceleration can lead to heart failure and, quite alarmingly, a near-instant drop in your overall physical stability.
However, the immediate risks pale in comparison to the potential for a carfentanil overdose. An overdose occurs swiftly, resulting in severe respiratory failure. You’ll likely experience signs such as
Without intervention, a carfentanil overdose can lead to death. This is partly due to carfentanil’s ability to impair its clearance at higher doses, causing its effects to accumulate in a non-linear and unpredictable manner.
Carfentanil was originally created as a large animal tranquilizer. It is considered to be the most powerful opioid, and a few grains are enough to kill someone. The drug is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and can easily be hidden in other drugs, which makes it harder to detect. Therefore, most users only use the drug for a short period of time before they experience an overdose. It is not guaranteed that naloxone will revive someone who overdosed on carfentanil.
Law enforcement and health officials must take extreme caution and wear gloves and masks when handling carfentanil. This is because inhaling and touching the drug can be harmful. This was discovered in 2002 when Russian Special Forces attempted to regain control of a movie theater overrun by terrorists by using an aerosol spray containing traces of carfentanil, in which over 100 of the hostages died.
Over time, constant exposure can lead to chronic respiratory depression and a lasting impact on your nervous system. Psychological dependencies also develop, making it incredibly challenging to break free from the drug’s grasp. In fact, due to its high potency, you may find standard treatments like naloxone less effective in reversing its effects, complicating efforts to manage or quit usage.
Addiction to carfentanil often requires an extensive and carefully monitored detox process. This isn’t surprising considering research suggests the half-life values of carfentanil and norcarfentanil after recreational exposure are significant—upwards of several hours. This extended presence in your body prolongs its adverse effects and makes the detox process more complex and demanding.
Overall, understanding the journey from short-term exposure to long-term addiction is crucial in grasping the full impact of carfentanil use. The immediate dangers are frightening, but it’s the prolonged and deep-rooted consequences that truly underscore the gravity of carfentanil addiction.
Carfentanil addiction is rare. Many individuals often use this drug unknowingly, since it’s difficult to detect. Those who frequently use other drugs like heroin, cocaine, or fentanyl may be the ones most at risk for accidentally using carfentanil. Another sign is if the person is constantly exhausted and sleeping at odd times of the day. In addition, if you notice someone using the street names listed above in casual conversation, that’s another potential sign of addiction.
Experts are still unsure of the precise amount it takes for the users to experience an overdose. Scientists believe a toxic amount could be smaller than a grain of salt depending on the individual. Consequently, when carfentanil is combined with other drugs, the chance for overdose is greater. Signs of an overdose include:
Due to an increasing number of overdoses related to carfentanil, many individuals are beginning to carry naloxone (sold under the name Narcan). Narcan is a medicine designed to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. Knowing how to use Narcan properly could save a life. Unfortunately, because of the potency of this drug, naloxone is not always successful at reviving those who have overdosed.
Because opioid overdoses are particularly dangerous, individuals who overdose on opioids require immediate medical attention, even if they have been revived with naloxone.
Detox is the first step in addiction treatment for carfentanil. Detoxing from opioids is a challenging process, especially with a drug as powerful as carfentanil. It is strongly advised that the person going through carfentanil withdrawal does so under strict supervision of medical professionals to help them safely taper off the drug. Withdrawal symptoms include:
While detox eliminates the physical dependency on the drug, inpatient (residential) or outpatient rehabilitation programs are just as important to target the psychological part of the recovery process. Clinical treatment allows individuals to uncover the root of their addiction and learn positive stress-coping and relapse-prevention skills. Medication-Assisted Treatment is also an important step in the recovery process. It combines addiction medication, counseling, and behavioral therapy. For further treatment, it’s recommended that the person in recovery join a community living program and regularly attend 12 Step meetings. Afterwards, outpatient treatment helps people recovering from opioid addiction to continue their sobriety efforts and maintain healthy habits in their life outside of rehabilitation.
Furthermore, holistic therapies are proven to help ease cravings and assist in addiction treatment. For example, individuals who used carfentanil to alleviate pain can experience similar relief through acupuncture. Additionally, yoga and meditation may reduce drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms, as well as provide a healthy outlet to cope with daily stressors and triggers.
For more activities that promote holistic healing, consult our Wellness page.
If you or a loved one is struggling with carfentanil addiction, know that you are not alone. Our team of medical, clinical, and wellness experts are here to help you break free from addiction and achieve the happy, healthy life you deserve.