Resources for Finding Help

Fentanyl, opioids, and other street drugs are addictive because they act on the brain’s pleasure centers, making the brain and body crave more. Their use is a slippery slope: One in fourteen Americans reports having a substance use disorder, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Some people use fake prescription pills to cope with stress or mental health issues. Others may have started as casual users of recreational drugs and ended up hooked. A number were prescribed legal opioids following surgery or to treat chronic pain and became addicted. Whatever the reason, fentanyl doesn’t discriminate between a person who’s addicted, a casual user, or a first-time user.  When fentanyl is hidden in street drugs or fake prescription pills, it can kill anyone at any time.

That’s why recovery from the misuse of opioids and other drugs is a key component to preventing more deaths from fentanyl poisoning. The only way to stay completely safe is to not take any drugs bought on the street or via social media, ever.

Recovery takes work, but there are resources available to help. The Drug Enforcement Agency has a Recovery Resources page on its site. It includes:

• Warning signs of drug use and addiction
• Guides to finding treatment
• A directory of opioid treatment programs
• Phone number of a 24-hour treatment referral routing service helpline
• Guides for parents and families
• …and much more

DOITFORJACK encourages anyone struggling with substance use in themselves, a family member, or a friend to consult these resources. Recovery is possible, and it’s the best way to stay safe from fentanyl poisoning. Don’t lose your “Jack.”