Fentanyl is a man-made opioid, which has the similar qualities as of morphine. However, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, fentanyl is approximately 50 to 100 times more powerful from morphine. It has been categorized as the schedule II prescription drug. Fentanyl is utilized in clinical applications to cure extremely high level of pain specifically after a surgery. It can be also used in the treatment of such individuals who suffer from chronic pain, however, are tolerant to other forms of opioids. The most commonly prescribed forms of fentanyl may include a number of brand names such as SublimazeDuragesic, and Actiq, Similar to a number of other drugs, fentanyl is also available by a variety of street and slang names such as Dance Fever, China White, Apache and many more.
Fentanyl tends to release endorphins in a quicker and more intense manner as compared to other less powerful opiate and opioid painkillers such as hydrocodone or even heroin. The term endorphin is derived from “endogenous morphine.” It refers to the pain-relieving agent like morphine and properties of natural endorphins, which induces euphoria. In a situation where a person is treated with fentanyl, similar to other opioids, it forms a strong binding with specific receptors in their brain, which are responsible for the control of the feelings of pain in their body. It results in a sharp increase in the concentration of dopamine that makes the person under influence of fentanyl feel good and leads to a blast of euphoria after the intake of the drug. This is why fentanyl is more addictive and highly possible to cause extreme discomfort when withdrawn as compare to other opioids.
The body becomes highly accustomed to the high levels of endorphins, which are released by the fentanyl, and the addicted person finds it impossible to function without fentanyl or similar agent that can release the similar amount of endorphins in his / her body. The brain tends to send distorted signals to the body because it becomes dependent on the increased levels of endorphins to transmit proper messages. When the ingestion of fentanyl is suddenly stopped, the release of high levels of endorphins in the body also stops. This situation makes recreational users of fentanyl to develop a physical addiction towards this drug. A major reason for fentanyl being highly addictive and hazardous is that the body and the brain rapidly develops a tolerance to the drug and the individual addicted to fentanyl needs to intake the drug in higher quantities to make the body produce the same level of endorphins.
In a number throughout the country, the use of fentanyl is increasing at a very high rate. There has been more than a five times increase in deaths from the overdose of fentanyl. Therefore, it is necessary to address fentanyl addiction as soon as possible. The impact of fentanyl abuse is extremely severe, resulting in respiratory depression and nausea to coma and even death.
