Fentanyl has made the headlines recently for a tragic number of fatal and nonfatal overdoses, mostly in adults. More than 130 people a day die from opioid-related drug overdoses, according to the US Department of Health & Human Services.
And now, new studies show that a record number of teens are also accessing fentanyl. As a result, the rate of teen overdose deaths has increased. Learn more about teen fentanyl use and how to talk to a teen about substance use.
Key Takeaways
- Fatal opioid overdoses among adolescents ages 12 to 17 have doubled since 2020.
- As a result, drug overdose, usually involving fentanyl, is now the third leading cause of death for children and adolescents.
- Teens are purchasing fentanyl at school, online, via social media, and through friend groups.
- Talking to your teen about drug use and treatment could be a life-saving conversation.
Teen Fentanyl Statistics 2024
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released data showing that fatal opioid overdoses among young people ages 12 to 17 have doubled since the start of the pandemic. Drug overdose, most commonly from fentanyl, is now the third leading cause of death in children under 19. Fentanyl is a factor in at least three-quarters of teen overdose deaths, CDC data shows.
Moreover, a survey of pediatricians across the country revealed that doctors are unprepared for the surge in teen fentanyl use and overdose. Less than half (48 percent) say they lack the training and behavioral health services within their practice to properly counsel young people on opioid use disorder (OUD). Furthermore, only 5 percent had ever prescribed OUD medications to patients.
What Is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid, similar to morphine but 50 to 100 more potent. Fentanyl comes in two forms:
Pharmaceutical fentanyl: Medicinal fentanyl helps to manage severe pain after a major surgery or trauma, for nerve damage, or for chronic pain. Prescription name brands include Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze. Medicinal fentanyl can be given as a shot, used as a patch on the skin, or prescribed in lozenge form.
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Illegally manufactured fentanyl: Overdoses are typically due to fentanyl manufactured illegally in labs. This synthetic form of the drug is sold for illicit use, as a powder on blotter paper or in eye droppers and nasal sprays.
Illicit fentanyl also shows up in pills disguised as other prescription opioids. Often, fentanyl is mixed with other dangerous drugs, such as heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA (also known as ecstasy or molly). Using fentanyl makes it cheaper to produce these drugs—and more addictive for the user.
What Are the Effects of Teen Fentanyl Use?
Fentanyl works by binding to the body’s opioid receptors, in the same way heroin, morphine, and other opioids do. These receptors are in the parts of the brain that control pain and emotions. After multiple use, the brain adapts to the drug, which causes teens to become addicted.
Teen fentanyl use can have different effects, based on a number of factors. A person’s size and weight play a role, as well as the strength of the drug, the amount taken, and whether other drugs are taken with the fentanyl.
Side Effects of Teen Fentanyl Use
- Euphoria and pain relief
- Drowsiness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Swelling in the extremities
- Confusion
- Slurred speech
- Problems with balance
- Weakness/fatigue
- Constipation and/or diarrhea
- Vision problems
- Headache
- Sedation or unconsciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Rash at the patch site
Signs of a Fentanyl Overdose
- Slowed breathing
- Dizziness and confusion
- Low blood pressure
- Limp body
- Unresponsiveness
- Small and constricted pupils
- Cold, clammy skin
- Lips and/or fingernails turning blue
- Decreased heart rate
- Choking/gurgling sounds
- Stiffening of the body or seizure-like activity
- Slow or weak
- Foaming at the mouth
How to Help a Teen Who Is Overdosing
If you know or suspect a teen is experiencing an overdose, treat the situation like an emergency:
- Call 911 immediately
- Administer naxalone if you have access to it
- Make sure the person is on their side to prevent choking
- Keep the teen awake and breathing
What Is Naloxone?
Commonly referred to as its brand name Narcan, Nalaxone can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Given as a nasal spray or injected into the muscle or veins, it can quickly restore normal breathing to a teen if their respiration has slowed or stopped because of an opioid overdose.
The increase in opioid-related adolescent overdose deaths has prompted school districts to begin stocking the life-saving tool. A NPR survey of the 20 largest U.S. school districts showed that 11 of the 20 largest school districts mandate stocking naloxone.
Fentanyl Withdrawal Symptoms
Fentanyl is extremely addictive. Therefore, stopping use can cause severe physical discomfort that continues to intensify. Teen fentanyl withdrawal symptoms typically last between four and 20 days.
The primary fentanyl withdrawal symptoms are:
- Pain in the muscles and bones
- Problems sleeping
- Fever
- Weakness
- Intense sweating
- Stomach cramps
- Runny nose
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Chills or goosebumps
- Uncontrollable leg movements
- Increased respiratory rate
- Severe cravings for the drug
Where Are Teens Getting Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is easily accessible for teens. Teens are knowingly purchasing fentanyl at school, online, via social media, and through friend groups. Adolescents typically crush and snort fentanyl pills, known as M30s, perks, or blues. Or they burn the pills on foil and inhale the fumes.
Teens don’t always know they’re buying fentanyl, however. They may think they are purchasing another drug, and don’t know that it’s “laced,” or combined, with fentanyl. This occurs frequently with fake or counterfeit pills that look like OxyContin, Xanax, Adderall, and other pharmaceutical medications. Fentanyl is often added to liquid products like nasal sprays and eye drops as well. According to the US Drug Enforcement Administration, 6 out of 10 fentanyl-laced fake prescription pills now contain a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.
Street Names for Fentanyl
As a parent, knowing some of the street names for fentanyl can help you stay alert to any conversations happening within friend groups:
- Apache
- Dance Fever
- Friend
- Goodfellas
- China Girl
- China Town
- Great Bear
- Jackpot
- Murder 8
- Tango and Cash
Talking to Your Teen About Fentanyl
Addressing your teen’s substance use with a conversation can be scary, difficult, and possibly awkward. But if you suspect your teen has been taking fentanyl, or is purchasing prescription pills that could contain fentanyl, it is an essential conversation to have. And it may even be a life-saving conversation.
First, initiate a calm and open discussion with your child about their drug use. Tell them that you are worried about them, and you’re there to help them, not judge them. Next, listen, without interruption. Allow them to talk openly about their struggles
If your teen has been using fentanyl for some time, they will need medical support to stop use of the drug to ensure safe withdrawal. It is important to contact a medical professional for guidance and to discuss the right treatment options for your child.
Teen Substance Use Treatment at Newport Academy
To achieve sustainable recovery, teens need to address the underlying emotional issues that led them to choose substances as a form of self-medication. That’s why Newport Academy’s teen substance use treatment focuses on mental health programming to heal the source of their emotional pain, while also building distress tolerance and healthy coping skills.
Our teen recovery programs achieve industry-leading outcomes by treating the trauma, attachment wounds, anxiety, and depression that lead to substance misuse. And our comprehensive, integrated care is tailored to each teen’s specific needs.
Contact us today to get your teen the help they need for sustained healing.
