The quiet, tragic climb of fentanyl-related deaths is no longer something families can ignore. If you or someone you love is dealing with addiction, you’ve probably heard the word “fentanyl” more than once. You might’ve seen headlines but wondered what it means, the risks, the reasons people are overdosing, and what that “fentanyl fold” even is.

The drug scene has shifted again, and not in your favor. If you think fentanyl is dangerous, meet nitazenes. These synthetic opioids are up to 40 times more potent and are showing up in pills and powders disguised as something else entirely. You don’t see them coming. That’s the point.

The opioid crisis and the rise in drug overdose deaths are an ongoing significant public health concern worldwide. With proper education and immediate action, many overdose incidents and fatalities can be prevented and lives saved. Understanding the steps to take when responding to a drug overdose is critical for families, healthcare providers, and communities.

Drug feigning is a growing concern in medical settings, particularly emergency departments, primary offices, and pain management clinics. Many individuals will feign for drugs by faking symptoms to get a prescription for opioids, stimulants, or benzodiazepines.

Fentanyl-laced fake Oxycontin is one of many counterfeit pills marketed as legitimate prescription opioids, further heightening the associated side effects and overdose risks. Counterfeit pills, such as Xanax, Oxycontin, or Adderall, are nearly identical to prescription medications yet may contain lethal doses of fentanyl or methamphetamine.

Opioid withdrawal, specifically, is often accompanied by medication-assisted treatments (MAT), such as methadone and buprenorphine (Suboxone). These opioid antagonists used in opioid detox programs may precipitate severe withdrawal symptoms, also known as precipitated withdrawal, if taken too soon in opioid addiction treatment.

Gas station heroin is a colloquial term for over-the-counter substances that mimic the effects of opioid drugs like heroin and morphine. Tianeptine, an antidepressant drug with opioid-like effects, is often sold at gas stations, smoke or vape shops, and online. The risks associated with gas station heroin aka tianeptine can be hazardous, including addiction, overdose, mental health disorders, liver damage, and heart complications.

Substance abuse, particularly injecting illicit drugs intravenously, has been associated with a surge in a deadly heart infection. Injection drug abuse can lead to various cardiovascular problems, including collapsed veins, bacterial infections of the heart valves and blood vessels, and infective endocarditis (IE).

Skin popping, a method of injecting illicit drugs, can lead to severe acute and chronic health risks and complications. While skin popping is often seen as an easier and safer alternative to intravenous  (IV) drug use, it has been associated with an increased risk of drug overdose, bacterial infections, hyperpigmentation, necrosis, and transmission of blood-borne diseases

Narcan is a common brand name for the opioid overdose reversal medication "naloxone." While Narcan is an effective and life-saving medication for reversing an opiate overdose, individuals may be taking advantage of its effectiveness and increasing reckless opioid drug abuse.

Downer drugs, also known as CNS depressant drugs, are commonly prescribed for anxiety, panic attacks, sleep disorders, or seizures. Chronic use of downer drugs can have severe effects on the brain and body, including cognitive impairments, mental health disorders, physical health complications, and addiction.

Nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioid analgesics found in the illicit drug supply, have been implicated in overdose deaths due to their high potency. As schedule 1 substances, these new synthetic opioids have a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction.