It’s an odd side effect of opioid abuse: Why are fentanyl users bent over Here’s why

A 26-year-old man with a history of fentanyl abuse was found unresponsive in a gas station bathroom. Bystanders administered naloxone and performed CPR until an ambulance arrived. He was taken to a hospital, where he spent 3 days in the intensive care unit. He went on to recover and was discharged to a rehabilitation program. Fentanyl addiction is a serious and life-threatening condition, and signs like the fentanyl fold can indicate that someone is in deep need of help.

Why are fentanyl users bent over or frozen in odd positions? Here’s the science behind it

Extreme fatigue and an inability to carry out daily tasks are followed by symptoms. This is another frequent side effect of opioids such as fentanyl. The user slips in and out of awareness in this semi-conscious state.

The Broader Fentanyl Crisis in Texas

Beyond these more obvious signs, there are many other subtle indicators of fentanyl use, and recognizing them is critical in addressing the addiction early. Fortunately, carrying something like Narcan, which can temporarily reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, offers a way for average citizens to help save lives. Volkow says these so-called Tranq cocktails often cause aggressive lesions that, if not treated properly, end in amputations.

If a person is hospitalized or undergoing surgery, a healthcare professional may administer fentanyl as an injection called Sublimaze. Dependence can cause extremely unpleasant withdrawal symptoms if the person stops using it. Once you’ve been taking fentanyl for a while, your body gets used to it and stopping can be very hard.

FIND TREATMENT:

Fentanyl use can lead to emotional ups and downs that seem unpredictable. Someone may experience extreme happiness or euphoria shortly after using the drug, followed by sedation or depressive episodes as the drug’s effects wear off. These mood swings can disrupt relationships, create tension, and lead to isolation as the person becomes more focused on obtaining and using fentanyl. Golden Road Recovery accepts a variety of insurance plans and offers assistance in verifying coverage.

How can a person be sure that they’re taking real fentanyl?

If available, administer naloxone (often drug addiction treatment known as Narcan), a medication that temporarily reverses opioid overdose effects by blocking opioid receptors. Naloxone can be given as a nasal spray or injection, and it is safe to administer even if an opioid overdose is not certain. If they are not breathing, provide rescue breaths by tilting their head back, pinching their nose, and breathing into their mouth once every five seconds.

• Many insurance plans cover inpatient rehab for fentanyl addiction, including detox and therapy.
• Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital.
• Drugs mixed with fentanyl are extremely dangerous, and many people may be unaware that their drugs contain it.
• The claim that some of the colors have a stronger effect than others is a myth.

While it has medical applications in controlled settings, illicit use has become widespread and deadly. The term “fentanyl fold” refers to the way people under the influence of fentanyl may slump forward, seemingly in slow motion, until they are bent at the waist or even folded in half. What may look like tiredness is actually a dangerous side effect of a synthetic opioid affecting the central nervous system.

Many people unknowingly consume fentanyl when it’s mixed with other substances or sold as counterfeit prescription medications. Additionally, fentanyl can induce a condition known as “wooden chest syndrome,” a form of muscle rigidity that affects the chest and abdominal muscles 5. This rigidity, combined with severe sedation, makes it difficult for users to maintain an upright posture. As the body succumbs to the drug’s effects, users may slump forward or appear frozen in a trance-like state.

Fentanyl causes neurological changes that make users experience extreme relaxation and muscular weakness, which results in difficulties for them to maintain their posture. The user hunches over or bends over due to lack of motor control, noticeably in the neck and back muscles. This posture is a sign of the drug’s significant effects on motor processes in the brain. Understanding the fentanyl fold is crucial for recognizing the signs https://ecosoberhouse.com/ of fentanyl use, understanding its dangers, and knowing when to seek emergency help. Motor Function refers to our ability to control our bodies movement, like walking, reaching and grabbing an item, and simply standing upright.

At Healthy Life Recovery, we’ve helped many individuals overcome fentanyl addiction through our comprehensive, individualized treatment approach. Our Four Pillars of Recovery – Education, Exercise and Wellness, Nutrition, and Recovery Community – provide a foundation for lasting sobriety. “Fentanyl is in the supply of many drugs on the street,” explains Dr. Donald.

Aspiration Risk

Bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to the hospital. Be sure to schedule appointments with your doctor on a regular basis so that you do not run out of medication. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while using this medication. Talk to your doctor about the risks of using this medication. Reach out to our team today—it’s never too late to seek help!

• Manufacturers use chemicals to make a substance with the same chemical structure as poppies to make fentanyl in a lab.
• Things you may have witnessed are people so high, they just stand in the middle of the sidewalk bent over, appearing as if they were frozen in place.
• The large number of overdose deaths involving fentanyl highlights the need to ensure people most at risk can access care, as well as the need to expand prevention and response activities.
• Medical detox becomes particularly crucial given fentanyl’s potency and the severe withdrawal symptoms that typically follow cessation of use.

Volkow says the weakening of the skeletal system and osteoporosis are more common problems; made worse because spinal surgery, like organ transplants, are rarely offered to long-time drug users. “Does overdosing, particularly with multiple overdoses, increase your risk for dementia? And I predict it will,” Volkow said. According to data from the Canadian Institute of Health Information, some 5,807 overdoses were recorded at Canadian hospitals (not including Quebec) between April 2022 and March 2023. Opioid overdoses have why do fentanyl users bend over claimed 38,514 lives in Canada in the past seven years, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada.