Why Counterfeit Pills Are More Dangerous Than Ever

The availability of counterfeit pills is spreading nationwide. These drugs are mass-produced and mimic the look of the actual drugs to deceive consumers. The growth of this illegal market is taking off. 

As these numbers rise, so have the number of drug overdoses in the United States. The opioid epidemic has been increasing rapidly for years, but the growth of counterfeit pills has made accessibility to drugs that much easier. 

What makes this so dangerous is not just the risk of addiction and overdose, but the immediate dangers of taking just one pill. One pill can be fatal, and to unsuspecting users, there may not even be time for medical intervention.

The risk of counterfeit pills is not designated to the streets or even specific groups. Everyone is at risk, so understanding how this has happened and how individuals can protect themselves from it is vital.

Counterfeit pills make substance abuse riskier than ever.

What Are Counterfeit Pills?

Many may be more familiar with something like a counterfeit designer bag than drugs, but these are not in the same realm. Although both illegal, a bag will not harm someone or risk death the way one counterfeit pill can. 

Counterfeit pills are fake medications that are not what they claim to be. They have different ingredients than the actual medication, may not have any of that ingredient, could have too much of it, or could contain nothing. 

Counterfeit pills often contain lethal levels of dangerous and addictive drugs like fentanyl or methamphetamine. Since fake pills often look exactly like the actual medication, especially to non-medical professionals, people take them without knowing how dangerous they are.

These drugs are made in unregulated labs, often outside the country, therefore, the ingredients are not safe. There are no measures taken to ensure health or safety.

These drugs are also being sold online rather than on street corners, and obtaining these pills is easier than ever before. Even students have access to these tainted pills through social media.

Young adults desiring Adderall to improve schoolwork may believe that because it is usually a pill prescribed by doctors there is no danger. There is no way for an individual to know what they are ingesting with counterfeit pills. Someone may take one of these pills to study and then be hit with the effects of high-dose fentanyl, which is fatal. 

Sadly, these sellers are marketing these drugs to children, teens, and young adults by praying on their desperation and lack of knowledge regarding counterfeit medications.

The Dangers of Counterfeit Pills

Counterfeit pills are extremely dangerous simply because people don’t expect them. They are sold as legitimate medications, so people take them in the same doses, but no amount is safe when laced with something deadly. 

For instance, fentanyl is roughly 100 times more potent than morphine. If someone buys a painkiller thinking it is something they have had before and takes it that way, it could be deadly. Roughly 26% of the counterfeit pills tested by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) contained a lethal dose of fentanyl. 

Fentanyl is so intense that the drug in the amount of a grain of salt can be deadly. Opioids are widespread drugs and are highly addictive. They give a sensation of euphoria, pain relief, and relaxation. With the mixture of fentanyl, those effects can become dangerous, leading to dehydration, nausea and vomiting, confusion, and slowed respiratory rate.

The risk of overdose with counterfeit pills is incredibly high and dangerous. Medical personnel can treat an overdose best when they know what was taken, but the treatment becomes more difficult if the user does not even know what the drug was laced with. 

The effects of an overdose from such pills include:

• Cold sweats
• Cyanosis
• Coma
• Respiratory failure
• Stroke
• Organ failure or damage
• Increased body temperature
• Heart attack

Also, if someone takes counterfeit pills without any awareness of their ingredients, they can become addicted to those ingredients. Without them, they may experience a dangerous withdrawal.  

How to Protect Yourself From Counterfeit Pills

Protecting individuals from counterfeit pills starts with awareness. Knowing the reality of the problem and being on the lookout for anything suspicious is a great start.

It is also essential to purchase medications only from licensed pharmacies within the United States. Illegal online sales are made to look safe and even legal, and many of these websites are made to look legitimate. With lower prices and convenience, many people can be easily tricked into buying counterfeit drugs online.

If individuals are ever unsure about the safety and security of a pharmacy, they can check through the state board of pharmacy for their license. If they are not listed, individuals should not purchase from them. 

Counterfeit Pills Are A Significant Problem In The US

It’s easy to be swayed into purchasing such drugs when you are made to believe you are buying something legitimate. Not only is this practice illegal, risking jail time, but it is even fatal. Counterfeit pills look identical to the real thing .. but they aren’t. Whether taking counterfeit pills to get high or treat a medical condition you cannot afford the drugs for, it is not worth the risk.

Seeking treatment for addiction at an addiction center or drug rehab is the best choice. Drug and alcohol addiction treatment should always start with detox and finding a detox center can be a major challenge.

DetoxNearMe.com places thousands of reputable, effective detox centers at your fingertips. Finding a drug detox for your budget, needs, and location has never been easier.

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