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HEROIN

WHAT IS FENTANYL? The Pros and Cons of Fentanyl

The pharmaceutical industry manufactures many different painkillers to help people avoid unnecessary suffering after surgery, during rehabilitation from serious injuries, or even from side effects caused by cancer. Many of these substances are synthetic opioids that provide many benefits for people who are recuperating in hospitals or at home. For example, fentanyl is often prescribed as a painkiller and an addiction treatment option for many. Unfortunately, fentanyl is incredibly potent and has the risk of causing addiction when improperly used. Many experts cite fentanyl as one of the leading factors in the opioid epidemic sweeping the world. Its high prescription rates have been particularly problematic in the United States and have created a wide black market in many parts of the nation. As a result, it is important to understand what this drug is and how its abuse may affect an individual. In this chapter, we’ll highlight where fentanyl comes from, how it affects a person,

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