Rainbow Fentanyl: What You Need To Know

What is Rainbow Fentanyl?

The opioid epidemic is something that is continuing to grow throughout the country. According to the CDC, there is a new strand of fentanyl that has developed as an emerging trend among drug users. This deadly drug is known as rainbow or colorful fentanyl due to the artificial coloring used to develop the drug. Although this colorful fentanyl can look like candy in many ways, this deadly drug is specifically targeting young Americans. It doesn’t just come in pill form it also comes in powder, and blocks that look like sidewalk chalk. Regular fentanyl also comes in liquid and can be used in nasal sprays and eye drops to administer the drug, as well as hidden in small candies. Fentanyl in general is 50 times more potent than heroin and even more potent (100 times) than morphine. 

Who Is At Risk For Taking Rainbow Fentanyl?

The Drug Enforcement Administration has reported that any person is at risk of falling prey to this emerging trend. Unfortunately, drug cartels are specifically targeting young Americans due to the fact that the variety of bright colors of this type of fentanyl can make it appear less dangerous. Unfortunately, these synthetic opioids are highly dangerous. The bright colors are a deliberate effort by drug cartels and drug traffickers to drive the sale of synthetic opioids. Because of the appearance of rainbow fentanyl being able to blend in like candy, they are being transported in candy boxes and sold unsuspecting in this type of packaging. This is how the drug can be distributed easily amongst the younger adult population as well, especially during Halloween. This is why the DEA recommends parents and adults to be on the lookout for any candy packages that might be previously opened and not sealed shut as it could mean that it’s been compromised and the rainbow fentanyl could be in there. Just in 2022, the DEA found 12,000 fentanyl pills in Halloween candy packaging at the Los Angeles airport. 

Fentanyl-Related Deaths in California

Did you know that fentanyl is now the number one cause of drug overdoses for individuals between 18 and 45? According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, this brightly-colored fentanyl is more potent than morphine which means that all a person has to do is take this substance just once and suffer from an overdose according to the CDC. Due to the fact that this brightly-colored fentanyl has been found in California, the drug overdoses in the state continue to steadily climb. In between the three years of 2019 and 2021, California has had 121% of deaths related to overdose of opioids. Since there have been so many fentanyl-related overdose deaths over the years, the DEA now recognizes a day for prevention and awareness of the drug. The official National Fentanyl Prevention and Awareness Day is August 21. 

What To Do After A Fentanyl Overdose

Although the warning of rainbow fentanyl is out there, unfortunately, there are countless people who fall into the trap of using a variety of bright colors of fentanyl. If you suspect that a friend or a loved one is experiencing an overdose of fentanyl pills, the first thing that you should do is reach out to emergency services. Emergency services will be able to provide you with the guidance that you need to care for your loved one (and possibly save their life) until they are able to get there. A well-known medication people who have an opioid overdose use is Naloxone, also known as Narcan. It’s a life-saving medication that can save the life of someone going through a fentanyl overdose before it’s too late for them to make it to the hospital. Some signs of fentanyl overdose, so you recognize them before it’s too late are:

• Slow, weak, or not breathing
• Clammy skin
• Discolored skin
• Limp body
• Choking sounds
• Small, constricted pupils
• Losing consciousness

If you notice any of the above signs, call 911 immediately. If you have naloxone on hand, administer it to the person overdosing. While waiting for the ambulance, make sure to keep the person awake and breathing and turn the person on their side to prevent choking. Also, make sure you stay with the person overdosing until the paramedics arrive. Fentanyl overdose can be deadly and has taken many people’s lives from not knowing what to do when waiting for emergency help to arrive. These steps are important and can add more time to someone being able to survive and get the proper medical attention they need. 

Get Help for Fentanyl Addiction at Resurgence Behavioral Health

Are you struggling with an addiction to fentanyl pills? Maybe you have concerns that your loved ones could suffer from overdose deaths. Perhaps you have more questions about the bright color shapes of this new form of fentanyl? Resurgence Behavioral Health is experienced in providing our clients with the care and guidance that they need to navigate through their fentanyl addiction. One of the first things that you may need to do before you can commit to a treatment program is to work through a detox plan due to the fact that there is a strong likelihood that you will experience withdrawal symptoms within a few hours from the time that you last take fentanyl. Detox will last about seven days and will give you the peace of mind of knowing that you’ve been properly cared for during this stage of your recovery. 

After detox, you will have the opportunity to complete an inpatient or an outpatient treatment program. Inpatient treatment comes with the benefit of living on our beautiful campus and enjoying around-the-clock care from our treatment team whereas outpatient treatment offers more flexibility. During outpatient, you will be able to work go to school and live at home. Our treatment team will work closely with you to ensure that you have the support and resources that you need throughout the course of your recovery journey. 

For more information about rainbow fentanyl or to begin your addiction treatment program, we encourage you to get in touch with us today. 

Here is what you need to know about Rainbow Fentanyl. #rainbowfentanyl #fentanylabuse #drugoverdose https://t.co/8k6kzzPUZv

— Resurgence Behavioral Health (@RBHRecovery) September 2, 2022

Josh Chandler
After growing up in Chicago and North Carolina, Josh chose to get help with substance use disorder and mental health in California because of the state's reputation for top-tier treatment. There, he found the treatment he needed to achieve more than five years of recovery. He's been in the drug and alcohol addiction rehab industry for four years and now serves as the Director of Admissions for Resurgence Behavioral Health. Josh remains passionate about the field because he understands that one phone call can alter the course of a person's life.

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