Parents need to understand the dangerous effects of opioids, including the new dangers of the ultra-powerful surgical drug fentanyl, on the teen brain and body. Opioid abuse can lead to deadly overdoses and extreme signs of opiate withdrawal. During withdrawal from opioid and fentanyl addiction, a teen’s body and brain suffer greatly.
Opioid’s Effects On The Teen Brain
Opioid abuse and opiate addiction are so common because prescription painkillers, heroin, and fentanyl are incredibly powerful drugs. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Opioids are naturally found in the opium poppy plant. Some prescription opioids are made from this plant, and others are synthetic (made in labs).” Some teenagers believe opioids are safe because they are natural, but they are mistaken. Both natural opiates and synthetic opioids are incredibly dangerous.
The active ingredient in these drugs attach to opioid receptors in the brain. When prescription opiates and heroin attach to opioid receptors, the receptors become activated, blocking pain messages. Located in the brain’s reward center, the opioid receptors release the neurotransmitter dopamine in large quantities once activated. Dopamine is the pleasure neurotransmitter, and a teenager’s desire for repeated surges of dopamine leads directly to opioid abuse and opiate addiction.
Although the natural examples of opioids like heroin and opium are dangerous, the synthetic opioids found in many prescription drugs are just as dangerous or even more deadly. Synthetic opioids are designed to be much more powerful. Thus, the increased power of the drugs increases the dangers of fentanyl abuse.
The Extreme Danger Of Teen Fentanyl Abuse
A fully synthetic opiate pain reliever, fentanyl is only prescribed for severe pain, or after a person has undergone surgery. Synthesized by Janssen Pharmaceuticals in 1960, fentanyl was designed to be ultra-powerful. In fact, fentanyl originally was designed as a surgical drug.
As described by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “fentanyl is an opioid drug that’s 50 to 100 times more powerful than heroin… Illegal fentanyl is responsible for many fatal overdoses in people who thought they were taking another drug.”
Fentanyl produces an intense state of euphoria and relaxation. As a result, fentanyl has risen in popularity on the street. The intensity of the fentanyl high has led to the “opioid overdose crisis” and a rash of teen fentanyl overdoses in the media. If an addict makes the smallest miscalculation regarding dosage when injecting fentanyl, they will overdose and most likely die. Furthermore, criminal drug chemists are now producing street fentanyl that is tainted and thus even more deadly.
Street Names For Fentanyl
Non-pharmaceutical fentanyl is sold in the following forms by drug dealers on the street: as a powder, spiked on blotter paper, or as tablets that mimic other, less potent opioids. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, current street names for fentanyl or fentanyl-laced heroin include Apache, Dance Fever, Jackpot, Murder 8, and TNT.
If you hear your teen using any of these street names, a red flag should be raised. Please ask them what is going on and whether or not they have been experimenting with opioids or are suffering from opiate addiction. Indeed, you very well could end up saving the life of your child.
If your teen has been abusing street fentanyl or any opioid drug for a prolonged period of time, they may show signs of opiate withdrawal when they don’t get their “fix” of the drug. Due to its narcotic properties, fentanyl abuse can quickly lead to fentanyl addiction. When someone is addicted to fentanyl, opioid withdrawal treatment is required.
Teen Opioid Withdrawal Means Help Is Needed
Teen opioid withdrawal is incredibly tough to face. Even when the drugs stop working and a teen is no longer getting high, they still need the opioids to prevent withdrawal and “getting sick.”
According to a study cataloged in the US National Library of Medicine, “Opiate withdrawal is one of the longest studied and most well described withdrawal syndromes. Opiate withdrawal has been described as akin to a moderate to severe flu-like illness. Opiate withdrawal is appropriately described as subjectively severe but objectively mild.”
Teen opioid withdrawal includes the following symptoms:
- Extreme restlessness and nervous agitation
- Muscle spasms, joint pain, aching bones
- Insomnia, not sleeping for days on end
- Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting
- Deep drugs cravings and depression
- Shaking and sweating with cold flashes
Opioid Withdrawal Treatment For Teenagers
As a result of the effects of opioids and opioid withdrawal, a supervised detox is needed to combat an opiate addiction. Such treatment for opioid withdrawal includes a medically monitored period of detoxification designed to ensure comfort and address any physical or psychological complications.
Most importantly, given the serious nature of teen opioid abuse, professional help by experienced addiction specialists is needed to make sure your teen is safe.
