One of the most shocking signs of the fentanyl crisis sweeping across California has been the sight of zombie-like drug users hunched in unnatural positions.
“Fentanyl fold” or ” Fentanyl “Bending” videos and photos People who are reported to be using drugs Social media.
“Fentanyl fold‘?
If you’ve ever seen someone who appears intoxicated on the sidewalk or in the park, hunched over or frozen to the spot, that person could be in the throes of opioid use.
But why do people hunch their backs and move like zombies?
“It’s a degree of loss of consciousness and loss of muscle control,” said Dr. Daniel Ciccarone, professor of addiction medicine at UCSF. ABC7 San Francisco.
Ciccarone said the “fentanyl fold” effect occurs within two to three minutes of taking the drug.
And how long will this unnatural position continue?
“Fentanyl comes in short-acting and long-acting forms, so some people regain consciousness within 45 minutes to an hour. For some people it can take longer,” Ciccarone said.
Ciccarone said fentanyl abuse isn’t the only opioid that can cause unpleasant physical reactions — all opioids can have similar effects on users.
How many people died? Fentanyl What about poisoning cases in California and the United States?
Fentanyl-related deaths began to increase around 2019, California Department of Health Services. In its most recent detailed study for 2022, the California Department of Public Health estimated that there will be approximately 6,000 opioid-related overdose deaths in California.
Nationwide, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention The figures show that there will be 84,181 opioid overdose deaths in 2022 and 81,083 in 2023.
What are the signs of a fentanyl overdose?
CDPH advises that anyone who suspects a friend or family member is abusing opioids to keep the following in mind:
- Falling asleep or losing consciousness
- Does not respond to stimuli such as screaming, pinching, or rubbing the breastbone
- Slow, weak, or no breathing
- Choking or gurgling sounds
- A limp body
- Cold or damp skin
- Discoloration of the skin (especially the lips and nails)
- Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
CDPH and physicians encourage people who use opioids, or suspect a family member or friend is abusing opioids, to carry naloxone, a nasal spray medication that can reverse an opioid overdose.
Naloxone is safe, easy to use, nearly fast-acting and available over the counter from pharmacies and other stores, according to CDPH.
