Fentanyl Abuse a Growing Problem in Florida
Fentanyl is one of the main opioids associated with drug overdoses in the United States. In 2022, more than ⅔ (68%) of drug overdose deaths were caused by fentanyl and similar synthetic opioids.
Typically prescribed for post-surgery recovery and pain management, fentanyl is a highly addictive drug, even in extremely controlled doses. It is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine. In fact, just two milligrams of fentanyl is enough to be fatal. Fentanyl is cheap to manufacture in a lab, and it’s easy to smuggle
into the United States, making it a serious threat to every community.
The Fentanyl Epidemic in Florida
In Florida, the accessibility of fentanyl continues to increase. Law enforcement agencies are working dedicatedly to get this deadly drug off the streets and out of people’s hands. In 2020 alone, over 6,000 people suffered from fatal overdoses of fentanyl in Florida.
Aside from fentanyl’s fatal potency, it’s difficult to tell when the drug is present. Fentanyl is often mixed in with other narcotics like cocaine or heroin. Or, it can be pressed into counterfeit pills that appear to be OxyContin, Ecstasy, Percocet, Vicodin, and more. Many individuals who overdose don’t realize they are even taking fentanyl because it is both odorless and colorless, making it impossible to detect.
This is a significant cause for concern for individuals who are living with substance abuse problems or addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and they regularly buy illicit drugs, there is a possibility that they will encounter fentanyl.
Recovery From Fentanyl and Opiate Abuse Through Narconon Suncoast
However, there is always light to be found, even when the darkness seems all-consuming. Narconon Suncoast offers a safe place for those in the grip of substance abuse and are deep in the throes of their addiction. For over 50 years, Narconon has provided support, healing, and the path to recovery for individuals who had otherwise given up on ever being sober. At Narconon Suncoast, we don't have patients or victims, we have students—students who are learning a new way to live life free from drugs and alcohol.
The Florida treatment center’s program offers a natural, drug-free withdrawal. This involves the student undergoing proper nutrition and special techniques to ease discomfort as the drugs leave their system. Then, they undergo the New Life Detoxification process. This combines exercise, saunas, and proper hydration and nutrition to break up the toxic residues and flush them from the body.
About the Program at Narconon Suncoast
During the program, individuals also learn about setting objectives and becoming stable in the present, which allows them to forgive their past mistakes and move on from addiction. Finally, students re-learn many life skills that their addiction stole from them. Self-control, personal values, and decision-making are all established and well-exercised at the end of treatment. Ultimately, this prepares the individual to leave Narconon ready to start their new lives drug-free.
Narconon Suncoast is licensed by The Florida Department of Children and Families as a residential treatment center for addiction. Available in 20 countries, Narconon Suncoast is committed to helping individuals, families, and communities who are all affected by addiction. If you or someone you know in the state of Florida is struggling with a fentanyl addiction or another substance abuse, contact Narconon Suncoast today.
