Acetyl fentanyl is an opioid analgesic, meaning the substance acts as an opioid receptor to reduce pain. This form of fentanyl is not approved for medical purposes in America. Acetyl fentanyl and fentanyl are in the phenylpiperidine class of synthetic opioids. Typically, people will use the synthetic form as an alternative to heroin. However, the drug poses many threats to the body, including decreasing cognitive abilities associated with the mind. In addition, the drug is highly addictive, and the risk of overdose is heightened when taking the synthetic version of fentanyl.
What Is Synthetic Heroin?
Opioids include natural opiates extracted from the poppy plant, such as opium and man-made opioids that are created from morphine. Popular addictive opioids include methadone, oxycodone, fentanyl, and heroin. Heroin is widely well-known to cause substance abuse. It’s produced from morphine and affects the brain with similar effects before binding to the opioid receptors. Fake heroin is a term that most often refers to acetyl fentanyl. Fentanyl is potent and powerful and often causes overdose. An example of synthetic heroin is fentanyl, and another form is carfentanil, a derivative of fentanyl. Combining a small percent of fentanyl with heroin decreases the amount of oxygen to the brain, increasing the chances of overdose.
How to Tell if Heroin Is Real?
Heroin comes in different colors. Most commonly, pure heroin comes in a white powder. White heroin is often cut and combined with other substances such as sugar. Dealers will dilute heroin with other substances to sell more product. Also, besides heroin in powder form, black tar heroin is cheaper but less powerful and has a sticky texture. Heroin may also be found in a brown color and pill form.
Short-Term Effects of Acetyl Fentanyl
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is fifty to one hundred times stronger than morphine. Fentanyl in heroin increases potency and the risk of abuse and overdose. The effects that acetyl fentanyl produces are euphoria, pain relief, sedation, urinary retention, pupillary constriction, and respiratory depression. More common short-term effects include short-term memory loss, erratic or sudden change in behavior, drowsiness, nausea, and vomiting. Fentanyl detox is highly recommended if a person is displaying signs of addiction or experiences adverse symptoms.
Fentanyl vs. Heroin
Fentanyl is more deadly than heroin, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the drug is one hundred times more effective and extreme than heroin. Typically, heroin will be laced with fentanyl which increases the overall death rates due to opioids. Both drugs contribute to substance abuse and overdose rates. Heroin:
- Highly addictive
- Well-known to set off rapid overdose
- Injected, smoked, or snorted when misused
- Illegal with no medical purposes approved
- Requires medically monitored heroin detox
Acetyl Fentanyl:
- Synthetic opioid
- Extremely addictive
- Requires medically monitored opioid detox
- More potent and lethal in smaller doses than heroin
- Ingested, injected, smoked, or snorted when misused
- Available through prescription, it acts as an intense painkiller
The effects of these drugs can inflict depression, extreme agitation, insomnia, and painful physical symptoms or flu-like symptoms. Professional care is advised if a person takes the substance more than once or if purchased off the street. Fentanyl should be taken with extreme caution and is only prescribed in specific circumstances.
Addiction Treatment at Our Florida Wellness Center
At Evoke Wellness, we care about our patients’ well-being which is why we offer services and resources to get them started with the treatment and recovery process. If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, then learning how to help someone with addiction and receiving the proper care necessary is the first step. Don’t wait to take control of your life! Contact a professional at Evoke Wellness by calling 833-819-6066 and asking about our unique programs to get started on the path to recovery today! Related Readings: What Are Opioid EyesHow to Stop Craving Drugs
