Another common effect of opioids like fentanyl is “nodding off.” This state is a semi-conscious condition where the user drifts in and out of consciousness. When a person nods off, they might lean forward, bend over, or slump as they lose the ability to maintain a proper posture. It’s important to identify warning signs that could indicate a fentanyl overdose. Physical indicators like extended periods of nodding off or folding over, especially when the person is unresponsive or difficult to rouse, are red flags that demand urgent medical intervention. Prompt action in these situations can be the difference between life and death, as these signs often signal the onset of critical respiratory failure or other life-threatening complications like stroke or heart attack.
- Social media has also played a role in how communities respond to the fentanyl fold.
- As long as it is safe to do so contact emergency services or if you have “Narcan” or other opiate overdose preventatives be ready to administer if the person loses consciousness or stops breathing.
- If someone frequently uses offensive language or dismissive phrases like “get bent,” communicate your discomfort clearly.
The Alarming “Fentanyl Fold”: Unpacking the Reality of Fentanyl’s Physical Toll
Fentanyl abuse isn’t the only opioid that can cause the awkward body reaction, Ciccarone said. If you see someone exhibiting these signs—especially in the folded over position—call 911 immediately and administer naloxone if available. In San Francisco, for example, over 800 people died from overdoses in 2023 alone. marijuana addiction Many of these cases involved fentanyl, and many of the victims were seen folding or slumping before collapsing completely. With fentanyl being found in unexpected places, many people worry, what if you touch something that has fentanyl on it?
Bent spines, lesions, risk of amputations — the toll of drug harms is rising
Inpatient treatment can provide you with a safe environment where you can detox and learn the tools necessary for a healthy recovery. Contact a treatment provider today to learn more and begin your healing journey. At Rubicon Recovery, we’ve seen firsthand how quickly fentanyl addiction can take hold—and how deadly it can become.
What’s The “Fenty Fold” And Why Does It Happen To Fentanyl Users?
Their brain, breathing, and motor control are slowing down, often to dangerous levels. After detox, residential treatment provides a structured environment for recovery. Align Recovery Centers offer comprehensive residential programs designed to support individuals through the early stages of recovery. These programs include medical care, counseling, and support groups to help individuals build a foundation for long-term sobriety. While the “fent lean” is a harrowing visible symptom, it represents just one facet of the widespread devastation wrought by fentanyl. Its extreme potency and unpredictable composition make every instance of use a perilous gamble.
- During this state, people lose control of their body posture and lean forward, bend over, or slump down.
- This combination of muscle weakness, rigidity, and impaired cognitive command results in individuals remaining stuck in an unnatural and perilous “fent leaning” position for extended periods.
How The Fent Fold Has Affected Communities
Knowing how long fentanyl stays in the system can help in managing withdrawal symptoms and planning for detoxification. The research community has yet to determine if fentanyl impacts the person’s spine at all. “Fentanyl can be a short-action drug and a long-acting drug. So some people they’re back upright in 45 minutes to an hour. Some people could be longer than that,” Ciccarone said. Recovery Guide LLC does not endorse any treatment provider, and we do not guarantee the quality of care, outcomes, or results from any treatment program listed or advertised on our site. All information is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. AddictionResource.net, and its parent company Recovery Guide LLC, is not a treatment provider and does not offer medical advice or clinical services.
Physical therapy is often recommended to restore function and strengthen the body after such incidents. Therapy and counseling are critical components of fentanyl addiction treatment. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and other evidence-based therapies help individuals understand the root causes of their addiction, develop coping strategies, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ and address any co-occurring mental health issues.
- Below are some of the most common treatment options for people with fentanyl addiction.
- It’s important to identify warning signs that could indicate a fentanyl overdose.
- Motor Function refers to our ability to control our bodies movement, like walking, reaching and grabbing an item, and simply standing upright.
- First responders and emergency workers carry naloxone, a medicine that can reverse an opioid overdose by blocking the effects of opioids on the brain.
What Happens After an Overdose?
Their heads are bowed, their knees are bent, and they fent bent are often unable to respond or move. This posture is not just a sign of being “high”—it’s a warning of possible overdose. The drug’s powerful sedative effect slows down the central nervous system, causing respiratory depression, muscle weakness, and impaired motor control. That’s why people under fentanyl’s influence often appear bent over or even collapse entirely. People get “fentanyl bent over” or “fent lean” due to fentanyl’s powerful effects on the central nervous system, causing profound sedation and muscle weakness.