Greeneville, TN – ReVIDA® Recovery recently published a new blog warning about the dangers of the Frankenstein opioid. Their blogs serve as a free resource to the community to help spread knowledge and awareness on topics surrounding substance use disorder.
“Nitazines are a form of synthetic opioid. They got the street name “Frankenstein opioid” from the sedation effects they cause. They were developed as a pain management medication but have never been approved in the United States, making them a Schedule I controlled substance. This is because the nitazine analogs are equal to and more powerful than fentanyl. Gaining popularity in recent years, nitazines are turning up in more fatal overdose cases throughout the country,” the article reads.
The potency of a medication refers to its strength. When discussing opioids and opiates, potency is often compared to one another. The difference between the two is that opiates typically are derived straight from the poppy plant. Opioids are synthesized in lab settings and usually do not come from plants – though some can. Because opioids involve more chemicals, they have a stronger potency. When the Frankenstein opioid is mixed with heroin or fentanyl, the risk of an overdose increases exponentially.
Nitazines were first synthesized in the 1950s, in hopes of providing another option for pain management. It was quickly realized that the Frankenstein opioid caused toxic level side effects of respiratory depression and sedation. However, illegal laboratories in China have been synthesizing nitazines and circulating them throughout the United States. They are cheaper to make than heroin and fentanyl, making them a popular choice for cutting other substances.
“When it comes to cutting, drug dealers are not required to tell you anything about what is in the substance. Dealers are all about making money, and if they can extend their product while making it stronger, they are going to increase their profit margins. Frankenstein opioids are undetectable to the naked eye, and there is no test strip to detect them, either. If you know nitazine has made an appearance in your area, take extra caution if you choose to use illicit substances,” the article continues.
Frankenstein opioids can cause many different health risks and even permanent damage to the brain and body. Some common side effects of nitazine use include drowsiness, digestive problems such as constipation, itchiness, slowed breathing, and lethargy. Similar to how other opioids affect the brain, nitazine binds to the opioid receptors and creates a rush of pleasure when first ingested. After the initial euphoria wears off, drowsiness and lethargy set in. Falling in and out of consciousness is common during this time. Prolonged use can cause heart, lung, and digestive complications.
With the potency of nitazine being so much stronger than fentanyl, overdose occurrences are far more likely. Opioids work by suppressing the central nervous system, which controls breathing, heart rate, and body temperature regulation. When breathing slows, it can stop completely, leading to brain and organ damage. This is what happens during an overdose. Narcan® (naloxone) can be used to reverse an overdose, but with the strength of the Frankenstein opioid, it can take multiple doses.
ReVIDA® Recovery takes pride in educating the public on all the new trends and substances found on the streets today. They have been helping people in the Appalachian area find recovery from opioid use disorder through medication-assisted treatment and outpatient therapy. The program at ReVIDA® is designed to work around different schedules created by work, school, and home life. Reclaiming lives from addiction is the goal of ReVIDA®, and their dedicated and caring staff ensure the safety and wellbeing of all who come through their doors.
For those wanting to learn more about ReVIDA® Recovery, call 423-631-0432 or visit their website.
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For more information about ReVIDA Recovery® Greenville, contact the company here:
ReVIDA Recovery® Greenville
Angelee Murray
(423) 820-0432
greeneville@revidarecovery.com
712 Professional Plaza Drive
Greeneville, TN 37745
