You are watching the 6 o’clock news in Cleveland, OH, when they mention fentanyl exposure to children in the outlying communities. They offer suggestions on what to do if your child overdoses on fentanyl, but you wonder, as you look at your young teenagers, what does fentanyl look like? Would you know if they had come in contact with fentanyl? You wonder how you can learn about fentanyl identification to be prepared if you encounter the substance yourself.
In 2021, 4,137 people in Ohio died from an accidental fentanyl overdose. At Superior Behavioral Health, we are a small, local company that aims to provide knowledge to the community on fentanyl use disorders. Today, we are going to discuss fentanyl identification and how to keep your loved ones safe.
What Does Fentanyl Look Like?
Fentanyl comes in several shapes, sizes, and colors. Most fentanyl comes in either a liquid or powder form. It can look like legitimate medications, such as oxycodone, or other illicit substances, such as heroin. In its liquid form, fentanyl can be a nasal spray. Fentanyl can also come in multi-colored pills known as “rainbow fentanyl” and look like candy or sidewalk chalk. Specific colors do not signify that one is more potent than another, and every version of fentanyl is dangerous. They can also come in various shapes, such as the logos of TikTok and Tesla and the image of Medusa. These shapes are attractive to younger people.
What Does Fentanyl Smell Like?
Fentanl has no scent. It is impossible to tell if you are taking fentanyl by smell alone. This lack of scent is why it is so dangerous. When mixed with other substances, whether those substances have a scent or not, it makes it impossible to tell if that substance contains fentanyl. If you ever come in contact with an unfamiliar substance, do not smell it to figure out what it is. This will cause the substance to be absorbed into your system.
What Does Fentanyl Taste Like?
Your tongue will also have a difficult time determining if something has fentanyl in it, as fentanyl has no taste. You will be unable to determine that the substance you are taking is fentanyl by licking it. However, you will feel the effects of the substance if you try to taste it.
Different Types of Fentanyl
There are two types of fentanyl that one might encounter in Ohio. One is known as pharmaceutical fentanyl, which doctors prescribe to treat severe pain. The other is known as illicitly manufactured fentanyl or illicit fentanyl, which dealers sell on the streets. While both are synthetically made and are 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine, they both have different purposes. Doctors might prescribe pharmaceutical fentanyl to people who have had surgery or advanced cancer. In contrast, illicit fentanyl is often mixed with other substances to make them cheaper and more powerful.
Official Brand Names of Fentanyl
Doctors can prescribe several forms of fentanyl that each come in their brand name. For example, lozenges are Actiq, while tablets you put under your tongue are called Abstral. A film that dissolves in your mouth is called Onsolis, and a tablet you put between the gum and cheek is known as Fentora. Fentanyl skin patches are typically known as Duragesic. Other brand names you might encounter are Sublimaze, Subsys, and Lazanda.
Street Names for Fentanyl
Several street names are common for fentanyl. They include
- Dance fever
- Goodfellas
- China girl
- He-Man
- Great bear
- King ivory
- Murder 8
- Jackpot
- Tango and cash
- China town
What Defines Fentanyl Use Disorder?
Taking any version of fentanyl can come with fentanyl side effects, and with long-term repeated use, you can develop a fentanyl use disorder. There can be several signs of fentanyl addiction you might experience as you develop a fentanyl use disorder. You will probably not experience all of the signs, but one of the most significant signs is if you go without fentanyl, you experience fentanyl withdrawals. The good news is that recovery from fentanyl use disorder is possible. Developing a fentanyl use disorder is not the end, and it does not mean that you are weak. Fentanyl treatment is here to help you navigate the often difficult but worthwhile road to recovery.
How to Protect Yourself From Accidental Fentanyl Exposure in Ohio
Because you can neither taste nor smell fentanyl, the best way to protect yourself from accidental fentanyl exposure is with fentanyl test strips, which are available at several pharmacies in Ohio. While they are not 100% effective, they can reduce the risk that you accidentally consume fentanyl without your knowledge.
Located in Garfield Heights, OH, Superior Behavioral Health provides compassionate support that allows you to create the life you had always hoped for. To help you achieve this, we offer same-day appointments that enable you to get started on your treatment before you change your mind. For more information or to get started today, call us at 216-435-1110.
FAQs
What are the details of fentanyl?
Fentanyl cannot be smelled or tasted. Often, it looks like other substances, such as pharmaceutical medication like oxycodone or illicit substances like heroin. It can come in liquid and powder form and several different shapes and colors. It is also 50-100 times more potent than morphine and heroin, respectively.
