Everything You Need to Know About Rainbow Fentanyl

Rainbow fentanyl is a colorful version of fentanyl and is an illicit drug. 

According to Texas Health and Human Services, rainbow fentanyl is a highly potent opioid. Even a micro amount of fentanyl can cause serious side effects, even death. Hospital-grade fentanyl was first introduced to manage severe pain. The substance is 100 times stronger than morphine and 50 times stronger than heroin. Although the drug is effective in relieving pain, the substance is commonly mixed with cocaine or heroin. As a result, fentanyl-related overdose is a pressing issue.

Based on the aforementioned THHS study, it was estimated that approximately 100,306 drug overdose deaths have occurred in the United States of America. About 66 percent of those deaths were linked to fentanyl use. 

According to Hawaii.gov, in 2021, there were 107,622 fentanyl related deaths recorded. 

However, many of these deaths could have been prevented with naloxone. This is an opioid overdose reversal agent that binds to your brain’s opioid receptors. The drug can block the effects of opioid receptors for up to 120 minutes. Awareness and other public health interventions can also make a difference. 

Fentanyl test strips can also inform you of the presence of fentanyl in your bloodstream and encourage risk mitigation. 

According to the Campus Drug Prevention, every shape, color, and size of rainbow fentanyl is considered extremely dangerous. 

Drug poisonings are the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. 

The rainbow colors can lead young children, adolescents, or even adults to mistake the drug for candy. Without laboratory testing, you can not determine the concentration of fentanyl in a powder or pill form. Therefore, rainbow fentanyl poses a serious risk to public health. Till this day, the drug remains the deadliest substance threat facing the United States of America. 

The substance can be made up of blocks that look like sidewalk chalk or candy, powder, or detailed pills. 

Different colors of rainbow fentanyl look like vibrant, candy-like colors, such as yellow, blue, pink, purple, or turquoise. Any pill (regardless of its shape, size, or color) that did not come from a pharmacist or healthcare provider may contain fentanyl. Therefore, the risk of overdose or death is extremely high. If you encounter fentanyl in any form, it is best not to handle it. Call 911 immediately to keep yourself and others safe until responders arrive. 

The illicit drug is man-made. Dyes are mixed into the substance. The illicit drug is then pressed into a pill-like form to resemble prescription opioids or “candy.” 

Rainbow fentanyl powder is typically packaged into small plastic bags. The harmful substance is often laced with other drugs such as methamphetamines, cocaine, or heroin for heightened potency. Fentanyl has been found in commercial product packaging, such as candy boxes or legitimate goods. This is done to conceal or disguise the substance and facilitates its transfer and distribution. Doing so avoids detection by law enforcement as it makes the “product” look less suspicious. 

Even if monitored by medical professionals, hospital-grade fentanyl alone is dangerous. Illicitly laced fentanyl is even more deadly because the concentration is unknown. 

On the other hand, laced rainbow fentanyl is especially risky because the substance is unrecognizable, meaning it does not look like drugs and is often mistaken for candy. Therefore, the drug is a threat to all demographics, including children, young adolescents, and adults. 

Knowing that rainbow fentanyl comes in a powder form, pill form, or chalk sticks, the drug is not only mistaken for sweet confections. Kids may assume rainbow fentanyl is street chalk or Pixy Stix. The substance can mistakenly be inhaled, eaten, or played with. Even touching the substance can be risky to your health, as certain chemicals that we touch can be absorbed through your hands and go straight to your bloodstream.

There is a wide range of prescription or illicit drugs. For that reason, it can be tough to recognize whether someone is intoxicated from alcohol consumption, under the weather, sick, facing mental health challenges, or abusing illicit drugs. 

Therefore, it is important to become more aware of the signs and symptoms of fentanyl abuse. This can be helpful to you or a loved one experiencing problems getting sober from fentanyl. Learning the warning signs of rainbow fentanyl abuse can also increase awareness for overdose prevention and just may save someone’s life. 

According to the Fremont Police Department, if you or a loved one has been exposed to rainbow fentanyl or is suspected of ingesting the substance, it’s best to seek prompt medical attention. Rinse the substance out of your eyes or mouth with cold water if you had contact with the substance. Your first thought may be to reach for the hand sanitizer. Take caution, hand sanitizer can increase absorption of fentanyl through your skin. 

For that reason, it is important to wash your hands immediately! Dangerous symptoms can occur just minutes after being exposed or ingested. Common signs and symptoms of rainbow fentanyl exposure include the following:

Understanding the dangers of rainbow fentanyl is crucial. 

It is important to take mindful measures to end the dangerous drug from threatening your community of choice. Safety and prevention take teamwork. Therefore, raising awareness about the situation with your family is especially important. Stay educated on the dangers and risks involved with rainbow fentanyl. Doing so can protect you and your family from the harmful substance. Discuss what you learn about the risks and dangers of rainbow fentanyl with your loved ones. Taking the time to learn more about the preventive measures certain organizations are taking can also help keep everyone safe. 

With the understanding that fentanyl is a potent opioid, the higher your tolerance becomes, the bigger the risk of overdose or death. 

However, knowing that the substance is commonly laced with other harmful drugs is especially dangerous. You not only risk your life, but also the quality of life of your loved ones. Continuous fentanyl abuse can degrade just about every aspect of your life. For example, the more you put fentanyl above anything or everyone else, the worse your life pans out. You may notice a decline in your work performance, academic challenges, or relationship issues with family or friends. 

If you fail to seek professional support, you only put your life at serious risk. Untreated rainbow fentanyl abuse or co-occurring mental health conditions can lead to various consequences that interfere with everyday life, such as work, school, and home life.  

If you or a loved one is experiencing serious challenges with everyday life due to rainbow fentanyl, this is a sign you should seek professional support. At Hawaii Recovery Island, our expert clinical team works closely with you to reach stabilization, navigate treatment, and maintain long-term sobriety. Moving forward can further educate you about your condition, help repair relationship problems, and improve your quality of life, allowing you to receive ongoing support.

The team at Hawaii Island Recovery welcomes you with wide open arms. We strive to inspire you and your family to believe that recovery is achievable. 

Your life-long goals regarding health, spirituality, peace, happiness, and recovery are possible. We are a luxury treatment center dedicated to serving your psychological, emotional, educational, vocational, and therapeutic needs. If you are suffering from the effects of rainbow fentanyl, our team is here to help. 

We provide a clean, safe, and serene environment free from alcohol and all substance use. Hawaii Island Recovery’s commitment is to guide you and your family on the pathways to enable you to move from a life of substance abuse, need, and dependence toward a position of self-reliance and freedom. The purpose of Hawaii Island Recovery (HIR) is to provide quality substance abuse treatment. HIR’s philosophy is that each individual is born with unlimited potential. 

Hawaii Island Recovery has a fully integrated program in Hawaii providing medically supervised detox, evidence-based treatment, holistic and experiential therapies, and aftercare services for substance abuse. 

Rainbow fentanyl withdrawal may be both uncomfortable and dangerous. Even if you try to discontinue abusing fentanyl, the withdrawal symptoms can make you feel trapped in the cycle of addiction. Therefore, detoxing at home is generally not safe. 

The effects of rainbow fentanyl abuse can feel defeating. However, this is not the end of your story. Fortunately, you or a loved one will receive medically supervised detox at Hawaii Island Recovery. HIR supports a safe withdrawal process, symptom management, and emotional or psychological support. Prospective patients are attracted to Hawaii Island Recovery’s intimate and idyllic recovery setting. The medical detoxification process is done in a safe, therapeutic healing environment to reach stabilization and effectively prepare for rainbow fentanyl addiction treatment. 

Once you or your loved one completes the medical detoxification process at Hawaii Island Recovery, this does not mean you are cured. Addiction recovery is a lifelong process. Your withdrawal symptoms may be managed. Nevertheless, addressing the root cause of your addiction and learning new coping mechanisms can support long-term recovery. 

Medical detox is a stepping stone to rainbow fentanyl addiction treatment. Seeking fentanyl addiction treatment at Hawaii Island Recovery can be beneficial to your health and future. 

Aside from medically supervised detox, HIR provides a wide range of treatment services conducive to promoting a healthy and productive way of life. Such services include the following: 

It is common for some individuals to feel hesitant to move forward with addiction treatment. 

This can be due to various reasons. One of them is feeling overwhelmed with the process. However, you or a loved one can receive consultations with a board-certified addiction specialist or draft an individualized treatment plan with an HIR professional. A specialist can get to know your medical history, goals for recovery, and tailor the most effective treatment options to your specific needs. Personalized care can give a whole-person approach and improve treatment retention and your recovery outcome overall. 

Different treatment modalities offered at Hawaii Island Recovery that may help treat fentanyl abuse include the following, but are not limited to: 

If you or a loved one is facing severe rainbow fentanyl addiction or co-occurring mental health conditions, one form of treatment may not suffice. However, adding a complementary treatment modality can significantly improve your treatment experience. 

Combining unique holistic modalities with basic talk therapy can provide dual support. For example, you could consider attending cognitive-behavioral therapy with mindfulness-based practices. You could meditate while participating in yoga. Explore massage therapy or acupuncture services for natural healing. Other forms of holistic care at Hawaii Island Recovery include cultural programs and even personal training and fitness or nutrition lessons from one of the 12 contractors at HIR. 

Withdrawal from fentanyl can begin within a few hours after the last dose and may peak around 24 to 72 hours. 

The duration of withdrawal symptoms can vary, lasting anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on factors such as the individual’s history of use, the amount taken, and whether they are using any other substances. Symptoms may include anxiety, restlessness, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal distress. Because fentanyl is a potent opioid, it is often recommended to undergo withdrawal under medical supervision for safety and comfort.

Fentanyl can remain detectable in the body for varying lengths of time, depending on the method of testing. 

In urine tests, it can typically be detected for 1 to 3 days after use, while in blood tests, it may be detectable for about 6 to 12 hours. Hair tests can show traces of fentanyl for much longer, sometimes even up to 90 days. The actual duration can be influenced by factors like dosage, frequency of use, and an individual’s metabolism.

Signs of fentanyl use can include physical and behavioral changes. 

Look for symptoms like extreme drowsiness, confusion, constricted pupils, or unusually slowed breathing. Behavioral signs might include secretive activities, withdrawal from social interactions, or neglecting responsibilities. 

If you suspect fentanyl use, it’s crucial to approach the situation with care and concern, encouraging open dialogue or seeking professional help if necessary.

Fentanyl addiction is often considered particularly challenging to overcome due to its potency and the severity of withdrawal symptoms. 

Some may find the cravings for fentanyl intense, making it hard to maintain sobriety. However, the difficulty of quitting varies for each individual and can depend on factors like psychological dependence, co-occurring disorders, and available support systems. 

Comprehensive treatment involving medication-assisted therapy and counseling is usually recommended to improve chances of recovery.

At Hawaii Island Recovery, our unique program is what has allowed so many of our patients to achieve long-lasting sobriety upon completing treatment. We know our patients strive for sobriety. Our goal is to provide you or your loved one with the tools, resources, and support necessary to overcome rainbow fentanyl abuse. Call us at (866) 390-5070 to learn more information!