The Risks of Fentanyl

Did you know that Marijuana on Cape Cod has been laced with Fentanyl?  Watch this TikTok video to learn more.

Success Story:

A bilingual man, originally from Puerto Rico, with opiate use disorder enrolled in OAR during the pandemic while in his early 60s. He was using up to 1-2 grams of intranasal Fentanyl daily after relapsing earlier in the year. He requested assistance after previously being in recovery for 14 years. His stated goal was “To be responsible and re-open doors that closed with family and friends while using drugs”. He had never been on Suboxone.

He had a history of IV heroin use for several years, starting in his late 30s, and overdosed 3 times. He was successfully treated at a methadone clinic and then relocated to live with relatives. He worked for over 10 years until put on disability for chronic back pain and emphysema in 2009. He was eventually prescribed Percocet for his chronic LBP for almost 3 years. After moving to be closer to family he could not get his Percocet Rx refilled and he relapsed on intranasal “heroin” to control the withdrawal symptoms. He moved again and was successfully started on buprenorphine at OAR but his living situation was not supportive of his recovery. He felt depressed and was self-isolating. He relapsed on intranasal Fentanyl within a couple of months.

He returned to OAR several months later after obtaining an apartment and after going cold turkey off Fentanyl two weeks prior, “I locked myself in my apartment”. He was struggling with cravings, fatigue, and weight loss. He resumed Suboxone with excellent effect and has been in recovery since September 2021. He has secured a part-time job which he enjoys. With the assistance of counseling and treatment at OAR for depression, he has reunited with his adult son and his siblings. He has many friends now in his apartment building where he assists with maintenance. He now describes his mood as “always good, very positive” which he ascribes to his faith, “I pray every morning upon awakening and upon going to sleep”.

National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week®, or NDAFW, is an annual, week-long, health observance that inspires dialogue about the science of drug use and addiction among youth. It provides an opportunity to bring together scientists, students, educators, healthcare providers, and community partners to help advance the science and address youth drug and alcohol use in communities and nationwide. It was launched in 2010 by scientists at the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to stimulate educational events in communities so teens can learn what science has taught us about drug use and addiction.

You don’t need to do it alone…we are here to help you on your journey to recovery.