In this article, we will discuss the medical uses of fentanyl and its side effects. We will also cover misuse of fentanyl, addiction, and the risk of overdose. 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. Opioids are a class of drugs that include both prescription medicines such as morphine and illegal drugs like heroin.
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First responders will likely administer naloxone if you haven’t already, or give it to them again. Naloxone only works in the body for 30 to 90 minutes, so it’s possible for someone to still have overdose effects after the medication wears off or needs multiple doses. Because the drug is less expensive than other opioids, people making it illegally commonly mix it into drugs such as heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamines. If you buy drugs illegally, there is a chance fentanyl can be in them. Fentanyl is not only much stronger than other opioids, but it’s often added to illicit drugs without people knowing. People making illegal fentanyl often do this because it’s less expensive to use fentanyl than other drugs.
Muscle rigidity
The fentanyl fold is becoming a common sight in public spaces, an alarming signal of the drug crisis spiraling out of control across the Garden State. People get “fentanyl bent over” or “fent lean” due to fentanyl’s powerful effects on the central nervous system, causing profound sedation and muscle weakness. Additionally, it can induce severe muscle rigidity, particularly in the trunk, which combines with the impaired cognitive function to keep them in this fixed, slumped position.
- The drug dulls both physical sensation and mental alertness, making you unaware of posture, surroundings, or danger.
- This transition typically marks the descent into a devastating cycle of addiction, where the pursuit of fentanyl becomes the singular focus, eclipsing nearly every other aspect of their existence.
- When New Jersey residents see these scenes, it triggers fear or judgment rather than compassion.
- This online behavior exacerbates the stigma faced by those struggling with addiction, potentially deterring them from seeking help and perpetuating negative stereotypes.
- While more nationwide prevention efforts and reduction strategies are needed to combat the opioid epidemic, prevention can also start in the home.
Why Do Fentanyl Users Nod Off & Bend Over?
I offer x-rays and physical therapy, Alcoholics Anonymous back classes, medicines—NSAIDs, Tylenol, diclofenac cream, lidocaine patches. The tools medicine has to address chronic pain are middling to begin with and cannot compare to the numbing strength of fentanyl which patients have ingested in the first place. Fentanyl, torpedoed into the brain by needle or pipe, dumps neurotransmitters manyfold more than any natural response could mobilize.
This extreme potency is one of the main reasons that fentanyl is as dangerous as it is. Even https://carlocksmithlandover.com/50-sobriety-gifts-ideas-effective-substance-abuse/ if users are used to the depressant effects of other opiates, Fentanyl has a high risk of “out performing” other drugs. This extreme strength is why we see a more dramatic “bend or fold” and high rate of overdose with Fentanyl users. Fentanyl bending over, or “Nodding Off” often also includes “wobbling” or “teetering” which can often appear as a rocking motion. This rocking can range from mild to quite severe as individuals struggle to regain balance as their bodies succumb to the extreme sedative effects of Fentanyl on the central nervous system.
- Its rapid onset and high potency mean that even a tiny dose—as small as two milligrams—can shut down the central nervous system.
- Take the first step toward addiction treatment by contacting us today.
- It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.
- Their programs address both the physical dependence and the underlying factors that contribute to substance use.
Align Recovery Centers are dedicated to providing comprehensive care for individuals grappling with fentanyl addiction, offering hope and a path to recovery. If you or a loved one is struggling with fentanyl addiction, reach out to us for help and support. According to the CDC, the United States saw over 80,000 drug fentanyl fold overdose deaths in 2024, with more than half involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl.