Understanding the Fentanyl Overdose Epidemic

Illicit drug use has always been a recurring issue in adolescents and adults. The problem is even worse in the black market, which poses a greater risk of drug contamination. More recently, the CDC and other health authorities have found some alarming data. Drug deaths have skyrocketed in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Among the leading drugs, fentanyl is usually the most commonly linked with severe adverse events. Here you will find not only the current state of the fentanyl overdose epidemic, but also some highlights and practical recommendations to prevent overdose deaths.

A Worrying Forecast

According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 107,000 people lost their lives to drug overdoses in 2021 alone (1). More recent interim data released in 2023 indicate a death toll of more than 110,000 (2). These figures include all types of drugs, but one of the most dangerous is fentanyl. Between 2015 and 2021 alone, there has been a 63.8% increase in fentanyl abuse. The age group experiencing the most significant spike is between 13 and 19 years of age.

Among adolescents, the increase has been 127%. Serious adverse effects of fentanyl abuse also increased by 15-39% (3). This is why we talk about an epidemic of a fentanyl overdose, soaring in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the moment, fentanyl is causing US health authorities to be on alert. Let us briefly examine the reasons why.

The basics of fentanyl overdose

Among the most commonly used drug types, opioids always top the list. These are morphine-like substances used to relieve pain. Variants, such as heroin, are sold as illicit drugs. Other are prescription drugs, such as fentanyl. This drug was developed in the 1970s and is a potent synthetic opioid. It is about 100 times stronger than morphine, and routes of administration include inhalation or injection. However, regardless of the route of administration, it is more dangerous than heroin, with a higher risk of adverse effects.

Highlights of fentanyl addiction

But what makes fentanyl so relevant in this overdose arena? Precisely its potency. Being 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin, it is also more dangerous. Moreover, fentanyl is manufactured illegally in clandestine laboratories. This form is even more dangerous than medicinal sources, as it is often contaminated. In addition, its potency and effects can be harder to predict. It is also important to note cross-contamination. In many cases, drug dealers use fentanyl as a filler for their drugs. That is, they mix other drugs with fentanyl to enhance its effects. This is easier still because fentanyl powder is very cheap and undetectable. Since illicit drugs are not regulated, drug dealers can do whatever they want and they will get away with it. Sometimes fentanyl has been sold as a more potent type of heroin. At other times, the dose of fentanyl they include in their drugs is very high and causes lethal effects to their users.

As a result, many cases of fentanyl overdose can be expected to go untreated. Those who abuse the drug or buy fentanyl-tainted drugs do not have time to see the warning signs until the adverse effects are severe. This is why most fentanyl overdose deaths occur outside the hospital. According to a recent study, as many as 83% of fentanyl overdose deaths occur because medical assistance could not arrive in time (4).