What Happens When Meth Is Laced with Fentanyl?

Why Is Fentanyl Being Found in Meth?

In recent years, the number of overdose deaths involving stimulants and opioids has surged, largely due to the widespread presence of fentanyl in street methamphetamine. A study featured in Drug and Alcohol Dependence revealed that between 12 to 15% of powder methamphetamine samples submitted to drug checking services also tested positive for fentanyl.

This alarming trend is primarily fueled by illegal drug manufacturers and dealers, as fentanyl-laced meth is becoming more prevalent for several reasons:

1. Lower production costs and ease of smuggling: Fentanyl is relatively cheap and easy to produce, making it a cost-effective cutting agent that enables dealers to “stretch” their meth supply. Its high potency allows smaller amounts to be smuggled more efficiently while maintaining the same profit margin, facilitating easier transport and distribution.
2. Increased potency and addiction: One of the most important things to know about Fentanyl is that it is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, making it extremely powerful and addictive. When mixed with meth, it creates a more intense high, causing users to develop dependence more rapidly, which in turn drives up demand and profit.
3. Lack of quality control in illicit labs: The production of illicit fentanyl can easily lead to contamination of other drugs, as it is frequently handled and mixed in the same environments, resulting in cross-contamination, particularly in powdered meth forms.

What Are the Signs of a Fentanyl Overdose in a Meth User?

Methamphetamine and fentanyl are both potent, but very different drugs. Recognizing an overdose in someone who has used meth laced with fentanyl can be challenging, as the stimulant effects of meth can mask the depressant effects of fentanyl, as noted by the Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

Nevertheless, the opioids’ influence on essential bodily functions will eventually become noticeable. It is vital to recognize the signs of a fentanyl overdose, as prompt intervention can be life-saving.

Here are the key signs of a fentanyl overdose in a meth user:

• Extremely Slow or Stopped Breathing: This is the most crucial indicator. Breathing may become shallow, erratic, or may stop entirely.
• Constricted or Pinpoint Pupils: Fentanyl, similar to other opioids, causes pupils to shrink significantly, even in low light conditions.
• Unresponsiveness or Loss of Consciousness: The person may begin to fall asleep or nod off, making it difficult or impossible to wake up.
• Limp Body: Muscles become relaxed, and the person’s body may appear flaccid.
• Discolored Skin: Due to insufficient oxygen, the person’s skin, particularly the lips and nails, may take on a blue, purple, or grayish hue.
• Cold and/or Clammy Skin: The skin may feel cool to the touch or look pale and sweaty.
• Confusion Followed by Unconsciousness: Meth use typically causes alertness; if the individual becomes disoriented, moves slowly, and then loses consciousness, suspect fentanyl.
  

How Dangerous Is It to Mix a Stimulant and an Opioid?

Combining a stimulant like methamphetamine with an opioid such as fentanyl poses significant dangers due to the conflicting effects these drug categories exert on the body. This mixture, commonly known as a “speedball,” can result in unpredictable and potentially life-threatening consequences.

Users often fall into the trap of thinking that one substance will counteract the adverse effects of the other, believing that the opioid will soothe the stimulant’s agitation or that the stimulant will prevent the sedation caused by the opioid. Instead of balancing out, these substances create a push-pull dynamic that places tremendous stress on the body.

As reported by the Georgia Department of Public Health, when these drugs are combined, the stimulating effects can mask the sedative effects of the opioid, leading individuals to mistakenly think they haven’t consumed enough of either substance, prompting them to take a larger, potentially fatal dose.

Once the stimulant effect diminishes, the full depressant impact of the opioid can take hold, resulting in dangerously slowed or halted breathing. The concurrent use of stimulants and opioids, such as meth laced with fentanyl, greatly heightens the risk of a fatal overdose compared to using either drug alone.

Furthermore, stimulants can put excessive strain on the heart, while opioids can inhibit breathing. These opposing impacts on the cardiovascular system can lead to heart attacks, strokes, or even sudden death.

The long-term consequences of mixing stimulants with opioids can result in serious health issues, including heart complications, liver damage, and kidney problems. Additionally, polysubstance use can lead to more severe and intricate addiction challenges, complicating withdrawal during fentanyl detox in Los Angeles and making it harder to manage.

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Are There Test Kits to Detect Fentanyl in Meth?

Fentanyl test strips (FTS) are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses and reducing harm. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), FTS are tiny strips of paper designed to identify the presence of fentanyl in methamphetamine in a dissolved drug sample.

Nevertheless, while they serve as a crucial harm reduction resource, they are not foolproof. For instance, FTS might fail to detect certain fentanyl analogs, such as carfentanil or alfentanil, or tell you how much fentanyl is in a sample, just that the sample contains fentanyl. Furthermore, fentanyl distribution can be inconsistent within a batch of drugs. A test from one section of the batch might yield a negative result, while another section could contain a lethal dose.

Key Takeaways on Meth Laced With Fentanyl

• Unpredictable Side Effects: Meth laced with fentanyl is not only extremely dangerous but also unpredictable, significantly increasing the chances of overdose and other life-threatening situations.
• Rising Trend: The prevalence of fentanyl-laced meth is on the rise due to its low production costs, ease of smuggling, and high addictive potential, which escalates user dependency and profit margins.
• Overdose Signs Are Harder to Recognize: The stimulant properties of meth can mask the depressant effects of fentanyl. Nonetheless, signs of overdose include slowed or halted breathing, pinpoint pupils, a limp body, lack of responsiveness, and bluish discoloration of lips and nails.
• Deadly Combination: The interaction of any stimulant with opioids heightens the risk of overdose, heart attack, stroke, or sudden death due to the conflicting effects these substances have on the body.
• Detecting Fentanyl: While fentanyl test strips can identify the presence of fentanyl in methamphetamine, they are not completely reliable, as fentanyl may not be uniformly distributed throughout drug batches, resulting in inconsistent test outcomes.

At Resurgence Behavioral Health, we understand the complexities of addiction, which has become more severe due to the presence of fentanyl in the illegal drug supply. If you or a loved one is using methamphetamine, it is crucial to recognize the immediate, life-threatening danger involved and to seek help before tragedy occurs.

Our compassionate team is here to provide individualized, evidence-based treatment and holistic support necessary to navigate detoxification, address underlying issues, and establish a sustainable path to recovery. If you’re ready to break free from the cycle of addiction, call Resurgence Behavioral Health today at 855-458-0050 for a complimentary and confidential consultation.

Resources

• Drug and Alcohol Dependence – Prevalence of fentanyl in methamphetamine and cocaine samples collected by community-based drug checking services
• Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics – Ventilatory Effects of Fentanyl, Heroin, and d-Methamphetamine, Alone and in Mixtures in male Rats Breathing Normal Air
• Georgia Department of Public Health – Polysubstance Use (Mixing Drugs)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – What You can Do to Test for Fentanyl