Did you know? 107,375 people died of drug overdoses in the United States in 2021. According to the CDC, 67% of those deaths involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Unfortunately, many users were unaware they were actually taking fentanyl. How is that possible? Some of these deaths were attributed to fentanyl mixed with other illicit drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and heroin – without the user’s knowledge. In fact, only two milligrams of fentanyl are considered a potentially lethal dose.
But what exactly is Fentanyl? Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, is an opioid like morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It can be prescribed legally by licensed providers, such as an Anesthesiologist, for induction of sleep during surgeries, for chronic end-state disease, and to treat patients with chronic severe pain or severe pain following surgery to name a few. Or, like many other illicit drugs, be obtained illegally … or without the user’s knowledge – which is even more dangerous for an individual who does not have a tolerance to opioids.
Locally, according to NewJerseyMonitor.com, “In 2012, fentanyl was found in just 42 of the 1,223 drug overdose deaths in New Jersey, according to the state medical examiner’s office. In 2019, the most recent data available, fentanyl was found in the bodies of 2,248 people — 75% of the drug deaths in the state.”
The Northwest Essex team is proud of our success with our Ambulatory Withdrawal Management (AWM) and Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) services. We are committed to taking every opportunity to prevent fentanyl-related overdose death.
Our ‘Outpatient Detox and Medication Assisted Treatment’ means no hospitalizations and no overnight stays. This treatment approach is designed to meet consumers’ specific needs, to help them detox from their drug of choice, and to contain urges and cravings to use. At Northwest Essex, we give everyone that walks through our doors the opportunity to achieve their
valued life roles such as parents, caregivers to elderly, gainful employment, and a healthy lifestyle.
The Northwest Essex team are professionals who go above and beyond to meet each client right where they are and help them achieve and sustain long-term recovery. We attend to all aspects of one’s life: physical, spiritual, social, and psychological. Our staff is well-versed in the field of addiction and treats consumers with great respect and dignity to ensure that consumers can focus entirely on their substance use treatment while receiving individualized care.
For more information on our Ambulatory Detoxification Services, please get in touch with Cheryl Miller, RN, at (973) 450-3177. If you want more information on our Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Services, please contact Howard Schulman, LCSW, LCADC, at (973) 450-3119.