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Why You Should Use a Fentanyl Test Kit

Fentanyl is currently ravaging the country. It can be marijuana laced with fentanyl, cocaine laced with fentanyl, or any other combination in which dealers cut corners. They do this by introducing a potentially deadly substance into others, but regardless of the base substance, the issues are all the same. It should be considered a top priority in terms of concern among users and their loved ones. Fortunately, there is a way to be knowledgeable about what you are taking if you are concerned about the substance’s presence. This is done by using a fentanyl test kit.

4 Minute Read | Published Sep 07 2023 | Updated Mar 04 2024 Expert Verified
Emma Collins
Written by
Ashley Bayliss
Reviewed by
Emma Collins
Written by
Ashley Bayliss
Reviewed by

For years, Better Addiction Care has provided free resources to addicts in need. We know that it’s important to have all the information that is necessary and to make it easy to find. This can make a life-saving difference for many people. In this overview, our team discusses what issues can arise from not doing a proper test for fentanyl in your substances. We also discuss how you can stay safe as a user. 

 Dangers of Not Identifying Fentanyl in Your Substances

Are you a current user of substances known to be laced with fentanyl? When it comes to fentanyl-laced drugs, there are, unfortunately, many. If you are, it is best to use a fentanyl test kit whenever possible. This will help ensure that you keep the likelihood of being wrongfully drugged to a minimum. 

By using a fentanyl tester, you can potentially avoid even the smallest amounts of the substance. Even trace accounts can lead to overdose, depending on the drug’s potency. The best course of action in avoiding the risks of fentanyl use and overdose is to not take any illicit substances. If you are using, you need to take a deeper look and fully assess your issues with substances that may contain fentanyl.

Using methods of detection is the immediate way to keep safe and stay clear of what you do not want to be using. You may even already be going through a fentanyl overdose. If you notice any of the following in yourself, or if you notice these in someone around you, seek immediate help:

  • Small pupils that have a “pinpoint appearance.”
  • Breathing that seems slower, weakened, or, in some cases, even ceased.
  • Sounds resembling gurgling or choking. 
  • Cold and clammy skin. If serious enough, this can extend to the entire body becoming limp.
  • Skin discoloration, particularly in the lips and nails of the user.

Keep an eye out for any potential dangers associated with fentanyl use. These are things that can happen accidentally or on purpose. If you were responsible enough to acquire a fentanyl drug test before use, do you know how to use it properly? You need to know what to do, and the first step is getting in touch with emergency services.

 How to Spot Fentanyl 

Getting your hands on a fentanyl testing kit is easy enough. Many online stores, local shops, and pharmacies will likely carry some, so you can make a convenient purchase. Once you have one, you need to know how it works.

The process is easy to follow and can be life-saving. Follow these steps when testing your substances for fentanyl:

  • Using a test strip, dip it into water that has some of the substance dissolved into it.
  • Place the fentanyl test strip into the water for about 15 seconds.
  • Once the strip has absorbed the water, place it onto a flat, dry surface and leave it alone for roughly 5 minutes.
  • From here, consult the packaging from which the fentanyl test kit came and observe what the different readings mean.

No tests are perfectly accurate, and the results can be skewed. Inaccurate results can also happen when you select a portion of the substance that has no fentanyl in it, even if it is present in other parts of the substance. This is the unfortunate truth about any drug testing done at home. If you are using, the only way to truly rid yourself of possible fentanyl-laced danger is to seek drug addiction treatment. This treatment will help you to cut out the root of the problem directly, which is your addiction. 

 Finding National Drug Rehab Centers Near You

Seeking national drug abuse treatment may be done for various reasons. These reasons can include concerns that the narcotics you are regularly consuming contain fentanyl or other potentially harmful cutting agents.

If you want to attack the issues at the source and rid yourself of your dependency, then it is important to get in touch with a local and national drug abuse treatment program. You need one that can put you on the safe path toward sobriety.

Better Addiction Care makes finding these locations easy through our free online national directory of drug and alcohol abuse treatment facilities. Our directory provides a stock of all the different areas in the country, and the programs present there.

If you want to learn more about fentanyl addiction treatment, or other addictions and treatments, then be sure to take a look at our other articles. In them, you will get insights into some of the most burning topics surrounding alcoholism and drug abuse. If you have any questions related to treatment and how our team can help connect you to the right location, give our team a call and speak to an expert in the field today. 

Resources

bullet National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021).
"Fentanyl."
Retrieved on December 21, 2022
bullet Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020).
"Synthetic Opioid Overdose Data."
Retrieved on December 21, 2022
bullet Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021).
"Fentanyl and Other Synthetic Opioids Drug Facts."
Retrieved on December 21, 2022
bullet Harm Reduction Coalition. (n.d.).
"Fentanyl Test Strips."
Retrieved on December 21, 2022
bullet American Association for Clinical Chemistry. (2020).
"The Growing Role of Fentanyl Test Strips in Preventing Overdoses."
Retrieved on December 21, 2022
bullet Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. (2021).
"Rapid Fentanyl Test Strips Can Prevent Overdose Deaths."
Retrieved on December 21, 2022
bullet National Harm Reduction Coalition. (n.d.).
"Fentanyl Test Strips Save Lives: Here’s How."
Retrieved on December 21, 2022
bullet U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021).
"How to Test and Identify Fentanyl and Other Illicit Drugs."
Retrieved on December 21, 2022
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