According to Merriam-Webster, “to lace” means “to adulterate with a substance.” In other words, it involves putting something into something else. In the case of illicit drugs, that usually means covering one drug with another. One of the most common variants of this practice is to add fentanyl to cocaine, heroin, or illicitly obtained prescription medications. This is incredibly dangerous because it increases the risk of overdose and can have serious consequences for a person’s health.
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A Big Concern
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), 60% of illicit prescription pills that have been laced with fentanyl contain a lethal dose. Drug dealers aren’t often concerned with the dangers of the items they sell.
The idea is to use fentanyl’s well-known proclivity to produce dependence to drive demand for other, more expensive substances. Fentanyl itself is cheap to produce. By lacing other substances with it, drug dealers can artificially spike demand by creating fentanyl dependence. They make more money that way than they would if they sold their substances without the lacing.
The problem is immense. For example, in 2023, federal and state authorities seized more than 115 million fentanyl-laced pills. That doesn’t count all of the other illicit substances that could have fentanyl lacing, such as cocaine, heroin, and even marijuana. This has led to a dramatic increase in drug overdoses and deaths.
Seeking Help
Laced substances are doubly dangerous when it comes to substance use disorder because you could become physically dependent on not only your substance of choice but also the laced substance. Often, the laced substance could be lethal when your substance of choice is not. If you or a loved one are struggling with drug addiction, it’s important to seek professional help.
If you even just suspect that you have used a substance that is laced, then speed is of the essence. Call 911 immediately, and be sure to tell the operator that you think you have taken a substance laced with something else. It’s far better to have been wrong about the lacing than it is to take a chance.
Substances That Are Commonly Laced
- marijuana: While marijuana is legal in some states, like New Jersey, it’s crucial to be aware that marijuana purchased from illicit sources can be laced with dangerous substances, including fentanyl. This is sometimes referred to as “fentanyl-laced weed.” It’s important to only purchase marijuana from licensed dispensaries to minimize the risk of overdose.
- Cocaine: Cocaine is a stimulant that can be laced with fentanyl or other dangerous substances. This can increase the risk of overdose and other health problems.
- Heroin: Heroin is an opioid that is often laced with fentanyl, making it even more dangerous. This is a major contributor to the opioid crisis and has led to a significant increase in overdose deaths.
- Prescription Pills: Counterfeit prescription pills are often laced with fentanyl or other synthetic opioids. These pills can be very dangerous because they may look like legitimate medication but contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl.
Symptoms of Laced Drugs
Remember, it’s not just fentanyl that could be laced into your substance of choice. No matter what you use, the lacing agent could be almost anything else. It could even be something like rat poison, drain cleaner, or other disagreeable substances. Read on to find out the signs and symptoms of common substances that could have been used as lacing agents.
Fentanyl
The signs of fentanyl overdose are similar to those of other opioids. They include:
- Pinpointed pupils
- Loss of consciousness or heavy sleepiness
- Slowed or nonexistent respiration
- Gurgling sounds in the throat
- Cold, clammy, and/or discolored skin
- “Rag doll” body This is a true emergency and requires immediate medical intervention. If you come across someone in this condition, call 911 immediately and implement life-saving procedures like artificial respiration and/or CPR.
Heroin
The symptoms for heroin are similar to those of fentanyl. Even though heroin is marginally less dangerous than fentanyl, you should still summon medical help as soon as you discover someone with the symptoms.
Cocaine
Cocaine overdose symptoms are subtly different than those of opioids. The euphoria is the same, but the person doesn’t have the sleepiness and/or lethargy. Instead, the person can be hyperfocused and overly confident. They believe that they can do or accomplish anything. In fact, they may be unable to sleep for an extended period of time. Once the “high” wears off, the crash can be devastating. The person could have palpitations and/or chest pain, severe nausea, and rapid breathing. Their body temperature could spike, and in severe cases, there could also be fever-driven convulsions.
The mental effects include paranoia, sudden and severe mood changes, which are often violent, and restless confusion. Together, these effects of overdose can make the person seem like two people. Fortunately, the effects of a mild overdose are seldom fatal with cocaine. However, severe overdose can be just as deadly as either heroin or fentanyl.
Remember, with a laced-drug situation, the person could be experiencing symptoms of both substances, making the situation even more dangerous than if there were an overdose of just one substance.
What to Do in Cases of Laced Substances
After calling 911, assess the person. If the person is not breathing, then begin artificial respiration. If the person’s heart is not beating, then begin CPR. If a portable defibrillator is available, then follow the directions printed on the outside of the unit’s case and use it to attempt to restart the person’s heart. In cases where you suspect the person has overdosed on an opioid or has used a different substance that has been laced with an opioid, administer naloxone if it is available.
Naloxone, which is better known by its brand name Narcan, is a substance that can instantly nullify the effects of opioids in someone’s system. It is an antagonist, which means that it blocks the receptors in the brain that the substance affects. The idea is not only to block the receptors but also to remove the effects of the opioids from the brain, which can allow the person to begin to breathe normally again.
The Role of Treatment
Recovery from substance abuse is a lifelong process that requires ongoing support and the right treatment options. Rehab won’t provide an instant cure, but it can equip you with the tools needed to effectively manage addiction and its side effects. In some cases, addiction treatment may involve medication-assisted treatment, utilizing agonists like methadone and antagonists like buprenorphine to combat opioid use disorder while addressing co-occurring mental health concerns. Therapy plays a significant role in recovery, with approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and motivational enhancement therapy. Additionally, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) can be particularly beneficial for individuals whose substance use disorder stems from past trauma.
At Garden State Treatment Center, we offer comprehensive treatment programs tailored to each individual’s needs. Our holistic approach ensures that both the physical and mental health aspects of addiction are addressed. We prioritize the full well-being of our clients and create customized plans to support long-term recovery. To learn more about our compassionate and experienced approach to addiction treatment, contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Published on: 2025-01-28
Updated on: 2025-01-28
