What is Rainbow Fentanyl? Find Help at Drug Treatment Centers Springfield, MO  

Springfield, Missouri, is a vibrant city known for its rich history, outdoor activities, and friendly community. As the third-largest city in Missouri, it serves as a cultural hub in the heart of the Ozarks with various attractions, including the historic Route 66, beautiful parks, and a lively downtown area. The city also boasts a strong educational presence, anchored by Missouri State University, and a diverse economy. Despite these positive aspects, Springfield faces significant challenges with drug addiction within the community. It’s important to know that many drug overdose deaths in our community and across the country are caused by synthetic opioids such as fentanyl. According to a 2022 report, over 4% of people in Springfield struggle with substance use disorders. This rate is higher than Missouri’s 3.3% national average of 3.5%. Unfortunately, this also means Springfield has a higher overdose death rate, with more than 27 deaths per 100,000 residents, surpassing both state and national averages. [1] 

The DEA reported the prevalence of rainbow fentanyl, which is brightly colored fentanyl in various forms, like pills, powders, and blocks resembling sidewalk chalk, aimed at attracting young adults. Despite some claims, there is no evidence that any color of fentanyl is more potent than others. Still, all forms are hazardous because fentanyl is a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more than morphine. A mere two milligrams, roughly 10-15 grains of table salt, can be deadly. It’s also impossible to determine the fentanyl concentration in a substance without lab tests. Fentanyl is currently the most lethal drug threat in the U.S., with over 107,000 Americans dying from drug overdoses in 2021, two-thirds of which were linked to synthetic opioids like fentanyl, making drug poisoning the top cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. [2]

In Springfield, MO, overcoming opioid use disorders (OUD), especially to substances as lethal as rainbow fentanyl, can feel insurmountable when faced alone. Explore Springfield drug treatment centers for support. These facilities offer professional help and a supportive environment to guide individuals through recovery. By reaching out, you can find the necessary resources and compassionate care to start on the path toward healing and reclaiming your life.

Missouri drug treatment centers stand by, ready to help. Unlock your future and connect with a counselor today!

What Drug Is Springfield Missouri Known For?

Springfield, Missouri, is mainly known for its issues with opioid abuse, including both prescription opioids and synthetic opioids like rainbow fentanyl. Several factors contribute to why this city has a significant opioid problem:

• High Prescription Rates: Historically, Missouri has had high rates of opioid prescriptions, which increases the availability of these drugs for misuse and addiction. In 2016, Missouri’s opioid prescription rate was alarmingly high, with an average of 80.4 prescriptions per 100 people. This rate significantly exceeds average medical needs. [3]
• Economic Factors: Economic stress and limited job opportunities in certain areas can increase the risk of substance abuse as individuals cope with stress and uncertainty.
• Geographic Location: Springfield’s location on major highways makes it a transit point in the drug trafficking network, facilitating the distribution and availability of illegal drugs, including illegally produced opioids.
• Healthcare Gaps: There are disparities in access to healthcare and addiction treatment services, which can prevent people from getting the help they need before their substance use escalates to a more severe level.
• Lack of Awareness and Education: Insufficient education and awareness about the risks of opioid use and addiction leads to increased misuse.

These factors combine to make opioid abuse a significant public health challenge in Springfield, necessitating robust responses from community, health, and law enforcement agencies to address the crisis effectively.

Understanding that addiction is a relapsing disease is crucial, particularly for those who have faced setbacks after multiple attempts at rehabilitation. For people in Springfield seeking sustained recovery after completing a treatment program in a medical or rehab setting, finding support in a halfway house is an essential part of aftercare. Halfway houses in Springfield provide a supportive environment that bridges the gap between intensive treatment and independent living, offering continued care that can significantly improve the chances of long-term recovery.

Who Makes Fentanyl?

Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a medication doctors prescribe to manage severe pain, typically after surgery or for cancer patients in advanced stages. It was first created by Paul Janssen in 1959 and approved for medical use in the United States in 1968. In its prescription form, fentanyl is available under various brand names, including Actiq®, Duragesic®, and Sublimaze®. Pharmaceutical companies manufacture it under strict regulations and controls to ensure its purity and dosage accuracy. Fentanyl is much more potent than heroin and even morphine. When used in a clinical context, it is typically administered under careful supervision due to its high potential for dependency and overdose. However, a significant portion of the fentanyl found on the streets is illicitly manufactured. This illicit fentanyl is primarily produced in clandestine laboratories, predominantly located in countries like China and Mexico, from where it is trafficked into the United States and other countries. These illegal labs synthesize fentanyl using precursors that can often be sourced cheaply and easily from industrial chemical suppliers. The lack of regulation in these environments leads to varying strengths and purities, which significantly contribute to overdose risks.

The illicit operations frequently produce fentanyl analogs—compounds slightly chemically different from pharmaceutical fentanyl—that can be even more dangerous due to their unpredictability.

Can Fentanyl Be Absorbed Through the Skin?

Fentanyl has raised concerns about its potential for skin absorption. While it is true that fentanyl can be absorbed through the skin, significant absorption generally requires a specialized delivery system, such as medically approved transdermal patches. These patches are engineered to control the release of fentanyl at a steady rate over an extended period, typically 72 hours, to manage severe, chronic pain in patients. However, incidental contact with the powdered form of fentanyl or its rainbow form, although less likely to cause severe harm from brief or accidental exposure, still poses a risk, particularly in high doses or prolonged contact.

Emergency responders and law enforcement personnel are trained to use protective gear to avoid such exposure risks due to the potentially lethal potency of the drug.

Here are the common side effects associated with fentanyl:

• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
• Constipation.
• Sedation.
• Confusion.
• Euphoria.
• Dizziness.
• Dry mouth.
• Sweating.
• Itching.
• Respiratory depression.
• Urinary retention.
• Pupil constriction.
• Physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms.

Rainbow Fentanyl Warning: Addiction Recovery at Drug Treatment Centers Springfield, MO

Recently, opioid overdose deaths in Missouri have been on the rise, even as national rates have fallen. In 2018, Missouri saw the most significant increase in opioid-related deaths both in absolute numbers and per capita, with a jump of 18.3% and an increase of 3.1 deaths per 100,000 people. The main driver behind this surge in opioid deaths in Missouri has been illicitly manufactured fentanyl and its analogs, including rainbow fentanyl. Stimulant overdoses, mostly from methamphetamine, were the second leading cause of drug-related deaths in the state. [4]

In response to the growing concerns over rainbow fentanyl, it’s crucial for those struggling with addiction to seek safe detoxification options available at drug treatment centers in Springfield, MO. These centers provide medically supervised detox programs that help safely manage the withdrawal symptoms associated with fentanyl addiction, ensuring patients receive the necessary care and support in a controlled environment.

Individuals seeking comprehensive recovery solutions may also explore accredited drug treatment centers in Missouri. These facilities are equipped to meet a variety of needs, offering personalized treatment plans that include therapy, counseling, and aftercare services designed to support long-term recovery. By choosing an accredited facility, you can be assured of high-quality care that adheres to established standards for addiction treatment.

Reclaim your joy and talk to a recovery expert now!

Resources:

[1] Springfield-Greene County Health Department News Releases – City of Springfield (.gov)

[2] DEA Warns of Brightly-Colored Fentanyl Used to Target Young Americans – Drug Enforcement Administration (.gov)

[3] Missouri to Join Nation in Monitoring Prescriptions – https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2021-07-23/holdout-missouri-joins-nation-in-monitoring-opioid-prescriptions

[4] Stoecker WV, Bosworth KT, Rottnek F. Missouri’s Fentanyl Problem: The China Connection. Mo Med. 2020 Jul-Aug;117(4):362-369. PMID: 32848274; PMCID: PMC7431056.