What Happens if You Eat Fentanyl? - Brazos Recovery

The Dangers of What Happens if You Eat Fentanyl: Understanding the Risks and How to Get Help

What happens if you eat Fentanyl? Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has become one of the most dangerous drugs contributing to the opioid crisis in the United States. While fentanyl is commonly associated with its use in injections, patches, and even inhaled forms, a less commonly discussed yet highly dangerous method of consumption is eating fentanyl. Whether consumed intentionally or unknowingly, eating fentanyl can have devastating effects due to its extreme potency.

At Brazos Recovery, we recognize the need for awareness about the risks associated with fentanyl consumption, especially through unconventional methods like ingestion. In this post, we’ll explore the specific dangers of eating fentanyl, why it’s so deadly, and how those struggling with opioid addiction can find help.

What is Fentanyl?

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin. It was originally developed for use in medical settings, where it is prescribed to manage severe pain in patients, particularly those dealing with cancer or post-surgical recovery. In medical contexts, fentanyl is administered under strict supervision, often through patches, injections, or lozenges (lollipops).

However, the rise of illegally manufactured fentanyl, sold on the black market and mixed with other substances, has contributed to a significant increase in overdose deaths. Fentanyl is cheap to produce, making it a lucrative option for drug dealers who mix it into heroin, cocaine, and counterfeit pills. In many cases, users are unaware they are consuming fentanyl, which greatly increases the risk of overdose.

Why Eating Fentanyl is Especially Dangerous

While fentanyl is dangerous no matter how it’s consumed, eating fentanyl (whether accidentally or intentionally) is particularly risky due to several factors:

1. Unpredictable Dosage

Fentanyl’s potency makes it difficult to dose properly, even in medical settings. When taken orally, especially in the form of illicitly made pills or powders, it becomes nearly impossible for the user to know how much fentanyl they are consuming. Just a few milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal. To put it in perspective, an amount as small as two milligrams—equivalent to a few grains of salt—can cause death.

When fentanyl is mixed into street drugs, users often have no idea that they are ingesting the opioid, let alone how much is present. This creates a situation where consuming even a tiny amount can lead to an overdose.

2. Delayed Effects

Unlike smoking or injecting fentanyl, which delivers the drug quickly into the bloodstream, eating fentanyl results in delayed effects. Once ingested, fentanyl must pass through the digestive system, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream more slowly. The delay in effects can lead people to believe they haven’t taken enough, prompting them to consume more in an attempt to feel the effects sooner.

This pattern is highly dangerous because once the drug finally takes effect, the user may have already ingested a lethal dose. The delay in onset combined with fentanyl’s extreme potency increases the risk of overdose significantly.

3. Extended Duration of Effects

When fentanyl is eaten, its effects can last much longer than when it is smoked or injected. The drug remains in the system for an extended period, continuing to suppress the central nervous system for hours. This extended period of suppression makes it more difficult for the body to regulate essential functions like breathing, heart rate, and consciousness. If an overdose occurs, the individual may stop breathing or fall into a deep coma-like state for several hours, increasing the chances of death if medical help is not immediately available.

Signs of a Fentanyl Overdose

Due to fentanyl’s potency and the high risk of overdose associated with eating it, recognizing the signs of an overdose is crucial. If you suspect someone has consumed fentanyl and is experiencing an overdose, it is vital to act quickly and call 911.

Common signs of a fentanyl overdose include:

1. Slow or Shallow Breathing: Fentanyl suppresses the body’s respiratory system, making it difficult for individuals to breathe normally. Shallow or labored breathing is a clear indicator of an overdose.
2. Unresponsiveness: A person who has overdosed on fentanyl may lose consciousness and be unresponsive to stimuli like shouting or shaking.
3. Pinpoint Pupils: One of the classic signs of an opioid overdose is pinpoint pupils, which are abnormally small and constricted, even in bright light.
4. Blue or Gray Skin Tone: As oxygen levels drop, the person’s skin may turn blue or gray, particularly around the lips, fingertips, and face.
5. Choking or Gurgling Sounds: These sounds, often called the “death rattle,” occur when the airway is partially blocked during an overdose, signaling a critical emergency.
6. Vomiting: Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms during an opioid overdose, which can further complicate the situation if the person is unconscious and unable to clear their airway.

If any of these signs are present, it is essential to administer naloxone (Narcan) if available. Naloxone can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, potentially saving the person’s life. However, because of fentanyl’s potency, multiple doses of naloxone may be necessary. Emergency medical services must be contacted immediately.

Fentanyl and Counterfeit Pills: A Deadly Combination

One of the most common ways people unknowingly consume fentanyl is through counterfeit pills. These pills are designed to look like legitimate prescription medications such as OxyContin, Percocet, or Xanax, but they are often laced with fentanyl. Counterfeit pills are particularly dangerous because users believe they are taking a known, regulated drug, when in fact they are consuming an unknown dose of fentanyl.

Illicit drug manufacturers press fentanyl into pills that look identical to prescribed medications, but even one counterfeit pill can contain enough fentanyl to cause a fatal overdose. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), about 60% of fake prescription pills tested in the U.S. contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.

Accidental Ingestion: When Fentanyl is Unknowingly Eaten

Another concerning issue is the accidental ingestion of fentanyl, particularly when it is mixed with other drugs or found in substances that don’t typically contain opioids. For example, people who use cocaine or methamphetamine may not realize that these substances have been laced with fentanyl. Eating these drugs, whether intentionally or accidentally, can lead to an unexpected overdose because users are unaware of the opioid content in their dose.

This accidental ingestion is contributing to the rise in overdose deaths among non-opioid users who are unaware that their drugs have been adulterated with fentanyl. The unpredictability of the street drug market means that no drug is safe from contamination.

How Fentanyl Affects the Body When Eaten

When fentanyl is ingested, it is absorbed through the stomach and intestines, entering the bloodstream where it binds to opioid receptors in the brain. These receptors are responsible for regulating pain, emotions, and essential bodily functions like breathing and heart rate. Because fentanyl is so powerful, even a small dose can overwhelm the body’s ability to regulate these functions.

In particular, fentanyl’s effect on the respiratory system is what makes it so deadly. By suppressing the brain’s ability to signal the body to breathe, fentanyl can cause respiratory failure, which is often the cause of death in overdose cases. This risk is amplified when fentanyl is eaten because the body takes longer to process the drug, allowing the suppression of breathing to continue for hours after ingestion.

Treatment for Fentanyl Addiction

Recovering from fentanyl addiction, especially when ingestion is involved, requires professional intervention due to the drug’s potency and the severe withdrawal symptoms it causes. At Brazos Recovery, we offer comprehensive treatment programs designed to help individuals overcome fentanyl addiction and rebuild their lives.

1. Medical Detox

The first step in treating fentanyl addiction is detoxification. Withdrawal from fentanyl can be incredibly challenging, with symptoms including:

• Severe cravings
• Restlessness
• Muscle pain
• Insomnia
• Nausea and vomiting

In our medical detox program, clients undergo withdrawal under the care of medical professionals who can administer medications to manage symptoms and ensure safety throughout the process.

2. Behavioral Therapy and Counseling

Once detox is complete, the next phase of treatment focuses on addressing the underlying psychological aspects of addiction. Behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and individual counseling, help individuals develop healthier coping mechanisms and address the emotional roots of their substance use.

3. Aftercare and Relapse Prevention

Recovery from fentanyl addiction is a long-term journey. Aftercare services, including group therapy, 12-step programs, and ongoing counseling, are crucial for maintaining sobriety. Brazos Recovery provides a supportive environment for individuals to continue their recovery after formal treatment, giving them the tools they need to prevent relapse.

Conclusion

Eating fentanyl, whether accidentally or intentionally, poses a severe risk to health and life. The delayed onset, extended duration, and extreme potency of fentanyl make it one of the deadliest opioids on the market. If you or someone you know is struggling with fentanyl addiction, it is critical to seek professional help.

At Brazos Recovery, we are committed to helping individuals recover from fentanyl addiction and regain control of their lives. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive treatment programs and how we can support you on the path to recovery.