Fentanyl Vaccine: Eliminating the Fentanyl Crisis

When used under medical supervision, Fentanyl® is a game changer. However, Fentanyl abuse has caused a deadly crisis and has killed many people. The news about the new Fentanyl vaccine has broken the internet as everyone questions whether it will help eliminate the Fentanyl crisis in the US. Continuing reading for our thoughts on the vaccine.  

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Fentanyl Crisis In The US

More individuals are dying due to the Fentanyl crisis than ever before. Nearly 108,000 people died from drug overdoses in 2021, with 71,000 dying from Fentanyl® or Fentanyl-related drugs. In 2021, illicit Fentanyl overdose deaths among adolescents accounted for 77% of all adolescent overdose deaths. Moreover, illicit Fentanyl overdoses are now the leading cause of mortality among adults aged 18 to 45, surpassing COVID-19, cancer, heart disease, and all other causes combined.

The new Fentanyl vaccine is for opioid addiction and may help fight against Opioid Use Disorder effectively. If you need help coping with Opioid Use Disorder, ChoicePoint provides a MAT program for effective recovery! Please schedule an appointment with our DEA-certified doctors now! 

What Is Fentanyl- An Introduction

Fentanyl® is a highly potent opioid that is a common contaminant in illegal drugs causing life-threatening respiratory depression by acting on the brain. Fentanyl® is an opioid pain reliever used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is not a prescription drug. Therefore, only obtainable with a doctor’s prescription. 

Fentanyl As An Addictive Substance

Fentanyl® is a Schedule II controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, which means it has a high potential for misuse and can lead to serious psychological or physical dependence. Fentanyl® is illegally made and marketed as pills and in powder form. It is also illegitimately added to heroin and cocaine. Abuse of Fentanyl may lead to severe consequences, such as Fentanyl overdose or even death.   

Fentanyl As A Form Of Medication

Prescription Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid approved for treating severe pain. Fentanyl® is 50 to 100 times the potency of morphine. In the United States, it is administered through transdermal patches or lozenges. Fentanyl® is also used by addiction treatment centers all over the U.S. as a medication to treat Opioid use disorder. Learn about Fentanyl’s side effects and what this deadly drug holds. 

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The New Fentanyl Vaccine- Is Fentynyl Vaccine The Solution For Opioid Misuse?

A team of the University of Houston researchers claims to have created a new Fentanyl Vaccine that might help put an end to the opioid crisis in the US. It is more of a Fentanyl blocker. Hence, it may prevent Fentanyl overdoses but may not prevent addiction.

Fentanyl® has been a driving influence in the opioid epidemic, which is predicted to worsen in the coming years. However, the new Fentanyl vaccine developed at the University of Houston promises to aid people struggling with addiction by stopping Fentanyl from accessing their brain or spinal cord, eliminating the drug’s euphoric effects, and, eventually, preventing an overdose or relapse.

How Does The New Fentanyl Vaccine Work?

The new Fentanyl vaccine contains DMLT, an E. coli-derived subordinate. The subordinate molecules stimulate the immune system’s reaction to vaccines, which is essential for the success of anti-addiction vaccines. When the new Fentanyl vaccine is introduced into the system, it produces antibodies that bind to it, preventing it from harming the central nervous system. According to recent research, the vaccination was successful in lab rats and had no negative side effects.

The new Fentanyl vaccine targets Fentanyl and its derivatives. Moreover, it does not cross-react with other opioids. Consequently, those who receive the vaccine can still be treated for pain relief with other opioids. Therefore, the new Fentanyl vaccine could significantly impact the nation’s Fentanyl epidemic by preventing relapses in those attempting to quit. 

If someone were to receive the new Fentanyl vaccine, they would receive an initial dosage followed by two boosters. It’s still unclear how long the impacts will continue. Due to financing constraints, it has not yet been FDA-approved. 

The U.S. Fentanyl Epidemic

Eliminating The Drug’s High: Aim Of The New Fentanyl Vaccine 

 

“I think this could be an effective MAT tool to reduce the overdoses we see with Fentanyl. It opens the doors to non-opioid users, as many drugs are laced with Fentanyl and may not even know it.”– Jordyn Mastrodomenico, LPC, LCADC, and CCS.

Did you know that Fentanyl® is particularly lethal because it is 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine? A dose of as little as 2 milligrams can be highly lethal. It is frequently mixed with other illicit narcotics like cocaine, increasing fentanyl overdoses in the US.

The main aim of the new Fentanyl vaccine is that it may prevent Fentanyl® from entering the brain and causing the “high” that users crave. The researchers promise it may reduce the chances of overdosing and getting addicted. However, we must keep in mind that the new Fentanyl vaccine is still in the development phase and is only tested on rats so far. Therefore, we must wait to see if the vaccine gets approved for the human population. 

ChoicePoint’s Role In Eliminating the Fentanyl Crisis-Providing Addiction Treatment

Medically-assisted treatment (MAT) and psychotherapy can be highly beneficial in helping people recover from Fentanyl addiction and resuming their lives. At ChoicePoint, a co-occurring addiction treatment center, our DEA-certified doctors may help people struggling with Fentanyl addiction to obtain help through our Outpatient programs. Our treatment programs are intended to assist individuals struggling with addiction to overcome drug cravings, achieve sobriety, and receive continued support once treatment is completed. The duration of the addiction treatment program may depend on the individual and the severity of the addiction.

ChoicePoint is a co-occurring addiction treatment center that treats alcohol and drug addiction. You can schedule an in-person or a Telehealth appointment with us by calling 844.445.2565. 

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