Dr. Goodman-Meza: Fentanyl is an opioid, the same overdose prevention strategies apply to other opioids. Never use drugs alone. If you have no other choice, ask someone who you know and trust to check up on you or use a remote spotter through an app like Brave or a phone service like Never Use Alone. If you live in a place like New York that has an overdose prevention center, consider using there.
Test your drugs with fentanyl test strips, or get your drugs tested at a testing site if you have one near you. The amount of fentanyl in a dose is somewhat unpredictable, even if you got it from the same dealer or it’s from the same batch. Get your drugs tested to make sure you know what you’re using. Sites and laws vary by location. So check what is available to you wherever you live.
Make sure you and your friends have naloxone on hand. Don’t mix drugs. Always start low and go slow.
If you’re looking to stop using fentanyl or other drugs, treatments like methadone or buprenorphine, and other treatments can help.
About Dr. Goodman-Meza: Dr. David Goodman-Meza is a Mexican-American physician and scientist focused on the intersection of infectious diseases and addiction. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and Addiction Medicine. Over his career, he has authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications along topics related to substance use disorders and infectious diseases.
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