JACKSONVILLE, Fla.,
Aug. 28, 2015 /PRNewswire/
-- With the heroin epidemic in the
United States reaching deadlier heights, Jacksonville-based Lakeview Health drug and
alcohol treatment center's Dr. Philip
Hemphill is helping to explain why fentanyl is causing a new
wave of overdoses. Because Fentanyl is approximately 40 to 50 times
more potent than pharmaceutical grade heroin and often illegally
purchased unknowingly by recreational users as heroin, the risk of
death skyrockets.
"Fentanyl can be an important drug in helping some patients,
particularly in cancer pain management, when other medications are
not effective," explained Dr. Hemphill, Chief Clinical Officer at
Lakeview Health. "But because it is so powerful, it takes very
little to cause an overdose, especially in the hands of a drug
dealer."
What is fentanyl?
Fentanyl was first synthesized in the 1960s and is often
prescribed for chronic pain management as a transdermal patch where
the rate of absorption by the body is slowed. When it is injected,
however, the effects outpace even heroin.
Drug dealers are cutting or falsely selling fentanyl as
heroin
While gram for gram, fentanyl is more expensive than heroin, its
potency allows it to be used in different ways. Diluted amounts are
added to lower grade heroin to boost euphoric effectiveness and
many times replaced all together in the name of higher profits.
Why fentanyl is especially dangerous in the wrong
hands
Because the strength of Fentanyl produced by backroom labs can
vary widely, it is especially dangerous when sold by drug dealers.
Those variations coupled with the fact that a heroin tolerance does
not translate to a fentanyl tolerance means that it is easy to
unknowingly overdose, especially
the first time.
"It is important that we reach the addicted public on this issue
quickly," continued Dr. Hemphill. "Fentanyl-laced heroin is turning
up around the country and if we don't work together to get the
message out, we are going to see a heroin crisis turn into
something far deadlier."
About Lakeview Health
Lakeview Health in Jacksonville
is a leading provider of drug and alcohol rehabilitation services
in Northeast Florida and a
nationally recognized addiction treatment, serving clients from
across the country. Since it was founded in 2001, it has helped
countless individuals and families begin their journey of recovery.
Lakeview's caring and committed staff is dedicated to helping
clients and their families find their "True North."
For Additional Information Contact
Gina de Peralta Thorne, MS
Vice President of Marketing
Lakeview Health
(904) 899-4536
gthorne@lakeviewhealth.com
Kevin Zundl
Founding Partner
Psynchronous Communications
(781) 937-0677
kevin@psynchronous.com
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SOURCE Lakeview Health