Opioid Addiction — The Fight Against Fentanyl in Ventura County

The rise of fentanyl has become a horror show for the people of Ventura County. The death toll has exceeded in huge numbers. On average, in a week about five people die of drug overdose and in most cases the killer is fentanyl.

Since 2019, a significant amount has risen in the death toll involving synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Fentanyl is stronger than morphine and was mostly used in hospitals or to treat large animals. Fentanyl’s increase in youngsters is a problem that needs to be addressed immediately with substance abuse treatment programs especially in Ventura County.

Causes of Substance Addiction

Substance addiction is a complex condition which alters brain chemistry. They may serve as pain relievers or cater the reward center of their brain, eventually people seek out drugs because they make them happy and satisfied. Addiction treatment near Ventura is trying its best to address these addictive behaviours.

When people develop the unhealthy behaviour of addiction, they are always left with craving more. Dopamine is a chemical your body releases when you’re happy and we as humans like it. Drugs or substances are the shortcut to increase dopamine. The unhealthy drive to seek more pleasure results in extreme addiction.

Even though there is no root cause to addiction, there are some factors that contribute to it.

Genetics — Genes are responsible for 40% to 60% of a person’s drug addiction. If one of your first degree relative suffered from addiction, it is most likely that you might develop addiction too.

Mental Health Conditions — Conditions like depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and bipolar disorders lead to substance abuse disorders (SUD). If you’re unwell mentally, you have potential exposure to substance abuse.

Environmental Factors — Substance abuse can also be environmentally influenced. The environment a person lives and grows up in has a significant impact that pushes towards addiction. Lack of emotional support, socioeconomic status, traumatic childhood, history of abuse or neglect and use of drugs among peers might lead to substance addiction.

Understanding Fentanyl — Goon of the Streets

One of the common drugs people find addictive is fentanyl. It is a potent synthetic drug, mostly used in hospitals as an anaesthetic or a pain reliever. It is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic.

Fentanyl — Street Names

Every drug has a street name by which it is called. Fentanyl is known as Apace, China Girl, China Town, Dance Fever, Friend, Goodfellas, Great Bear, He-Man, Jackpot, King Ivory, Murder 8, Poison and Tango & Cash.

Fentanyl — Consumption

Fentanyl is commonly snorted, sniffed, spiked onto blotter paper, taken in the form of pill or tablet and consumed with heroin or other opioids.

Fentanyl — Effect on the body

Like many opioid drugs, fentanyl’s effect results in pleasure, relaxation, euphoria, pain relief, sedation, confusion, nausea and vomiting.

Fentanyl — Effect of Overdose

An overdose can result in cyanosis, clammy skin, altered pupil size, stupor, coma and respiratory failure that can be fatal. It is very suggestive of opioid overdose when a trio of symptoms, including pinpoint pupils, respiratory depression and coma are present.

Fentanyl — Treatment

It’s always hard to take a step forward towards treatment but it’s necessary. The stigma attached to asking for help could make you lose your life or a loved one’s.

But first you need to know the signs, that somebody needs help:

• Having the desire to use more Fentanyl than is recommended.
• Misusing fentanyl in ways that are not authorized by a doctor.
• Realizing how your drug use has affected your life at home, at job or in school.
• engaging in hazardous activities or using fentanyl in hazardous circumstances.
• Concentrating most of your efforts on finding, obtaining and utilizing fentanyl.

There are several types of treatment programmes and every one of them is made to meet the requirements and address the conditions of those who are addicted. Residential treatment facilities have shown to be an effective option for rehabilitation and recovery.

Outpatient Treatment Programs

Outpatient Treatment Programs are adaptable as you are still able to live at home and go to counselling. Programmes for outpatient therapy are more suited for those with less severe addictions or robust support networks. But unlike residential centres, they are unstructured and patients receive little monitoring.

Inpatient Treatment Programs

A stay-at-home facility is offered by these treatment programmes for a predetermined amount of time, typically between 28 and 90 days. They provide a well-organized setting with 24/7 assistance. They are appropriate for those with mild addiction condition.

Intensive Outpatient Programs (IOP)

Inpatient and outpatient treatment plans are combined to create intensive outpatient programmes. Patients can stay in their homes while receiving many hours of therapy every day, several days a week. IOPs offer rigorous care together with a certain amount of everyday autonomy.

Partial Hospitalization Programs (PHP)

These allow patients to receive daily, structured care at a hospital or treatment facility, with the option to return home at any time later. These are appropriate for patients who need close medical supervision and critical care.

Why is Fentanyl awareness important?

“Fentanyl is the single deadliest drug threat our nation has ever encountered. Fentanyl is everywhere. From large metropolitan areas to rural America, no community is safe from this poison. We must take every opportunity to spread the word to prevent fentanyl-related overdose death and poisonings from claiming scores of American lives every day.”

• DEA (Drugs Enforcement Administration) Administrator Anne Milgram

Opioid addiction is increasing day by day and directly affecting the increase in death toll. National Fentanyl Awareness Day is celebrated on August 21 every year. With the rising population of addicts Ventura County needs substance abuse treatment programs that address the problems and provide solutions to take control over the increase.

Synthetic opioids like fentanyl are major death contributors in people aged eighteen to forty-five. The opioid epidemic picked up its pace during COVID-19. Fentanyl’s potency makes the drug more addictive, so even if you’ve been prescribed by the doctor, you are likely to become addicted to it.

Ventura County Actions Against Fentanyl

The fentanyl crisis is all around the world and Ventura County is not immune to it. To outline a fight against fentanyl Ventura County Health Care Agency brought together medical, psychological and law enforcement experts to talk about how to respond to this crisis.

The people of Ventura County understand that tackling this deadly crisis is not a one man’s job that’s why it is important to have exceptional law enforcement and action plans in centers for addiction treatment near Ventura. Not just in Ventura County but people all around the world need to be educated on fentanyl and it’s effects.

Dealing with a crisis has never been easy and it isn’t now, the fentanyl epidemic has gone out of hand and needs to be addressed with proper measures taken by the authorities.

Wrap Up

The fentanyl epidemic has taken a toll on Ventura County. Education on fentanyl is really important and once you’re prescribed you need to know what you’re getting into. Substance abuse treatment programs have been effective but they’re not just enough to tackle the irresponsible use of fentanyl in people aged between eighteen and fifty, law enforcement, support from family and friends, spreading awareness, role of medical staff, all of this needs to be done in the fight against fentanyl.