05: What the F

Join us for an eye-opening conversation with Steven Ginsburg, founder of Restore Detox Centers, as we shed light on the alarming realities of Fentanyl. This potent synthetic opioid painkiller, often found in counterfeit pills and other drugs, poses deadly risks across all demographics. We emphasize the importance of prevention through education and awareness, urging everyone to understand the dangers of these substances.

But our discussion doesn't stop there. We also address the unfair stigmas surrounding addiction recovery, highlighting the courage it takes to seek help. We offer a wealth of resources for those struggling with addiction and provide guidance for parents on navigating these tough conversations with their children. This episode goes beyond just understanding Fentanyl - it's about taking proactive steps to protect our loved ones and offering support to those in need. Tune in and make a difference - you might save a life.

Helpful Links:
Learn more about Restore Detox Centers
Filling the Void book by Steven T. Ginsburg
Overcoming the Fear and Lies of Addiction e-book
How to Love and Set Boundaries Without Enabling Addiction e-book
Call Us for Addiction Recovery:  1-800-982-5530

DISCLAIMER:
Welcome to the Addiction Recovery podcast, brought to you by Restore Detox Centers. We are dedicated to providing valuable and insightful information on addiction recovery. However, it is essential to understand that the content shared in this podcast is intended for educational purposes only. While we strive to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information presented, we cannot guarantee its completeness or suitability for individual circumstances. The topics discussed in this podcast are based on general knowledge and should not be considered a substitute for professional advice or treatment.

It is important to note that the views and opinions expressed by the podcast hosts, guests, or contributors are their own and may not necessarily reflect the views of Restore Detox Centers. We strongly advise listeners to consult with qualified professionals, such as addiction counselors, therapists, or medical practitioners, before making any decisions or taking any actions based on the information provided in this podcast. Please be aware that listening to this podcast does not establish a client-provider relationship with Restore Detox Centers.

Transcript

Speaker 1: 0:00

This is the Addiction Recovery Podcast with Steven T Ginsburg, founder of Restore Detox Centers in sunny California. Enjoy your experience. Hey everyone, Welcome back to another episode of Addiction Recovery. My name is Steve Coughran. I'm here with Steven Ginsburg. He is the founder of Restore Detox Centers out in Poway, California. Steven, so great to be together again for another episode.

Speaker 2: 0:31

We really appreciate it and again tackling topics that are just absolutely critical and they stay in age.

Speaker 1: 0:38

So many people are facing Absolutely, and this is how we design the podcast. We designed it to be short and sweet, to give you exactly what you need to know, but there are a ton of resources at your fingertips which will sprinkle throughout these episodes, so be sure to stay with us all the way to the end. Today, the topic is what the F? 

Speaker 2: 1:05

Okay, what is Fentanyl? Fentanyl is a the most powerful synthetic opioid painkiller. It is commonly used with individuals who, unfortunately, are in the hospice level of care for extreme cancer cases and who are dealing with excruciating pain. And what's been discovered about this powerful opioid is unfortunately become a remarkable way for people with addiction issues to get high. It's very inexpensive, especially when it's falsely manufactured and, more importantly, this categorically lethal this most deadly compound and synthetic opioid that is out there.

Speaker 1: 1:49

Yeah, and just to provide some color to that, to what Steven is saying, Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin. It's 100 times stronger than morphine. So I mean it's crazy the powerful effect. And here's the dangerous thing too, Steven, it's so cheap.

Speaker 2: 2:06

It's so cheap, absolutely, it just easily had, easily afforded, easily abused, and it is prevalent and becoming a factor in every type of drug that is out there and commonly found in everything that is out on the street and found also in things that are being falsely manufactured and is just dangerous. It is killing people of every demographic, it is killing monumental amounts of our young people, yep, and there is no second chance.

Speaker 1: 2:37

And here's the dangerous thing too. When it comes down to it, you know, a lot of the fentanyl is coming from Mexico and a lot of these cartels are producing these pills, and these pills actually look exactly like other pills out there, and that's the scary thing. So here's a stat that I found Illegally manufactured fentanyl is often found mixed with other drugs like heroin, cocaine or counterfeit prescription pills. 42% of pills that were tested or that have been tested, they found fentanyl in them and they found two milligrams of fentanyl, which may not seem like a lot, but that's enough to deliver a deadly dose to somebody. We've got those. Yeah, so these pills are coming across the border and they look exactly like prescription pills, you know. So a friend may say oh yeah, your back's been hurting, you know here, just take, you know, take this little pill here and you're like okay, it looks like a prescription pill, looks legit, it doesn't look like drugs, doesn't feel like you're chopping up something and snorting up your nose. What's the big deal?

Speaker 2: 3:37

Absolutely and the scariest part about fentanyl and the ingestion, which is exactly in the avenue that you described it you don't have some catastrophic reaction. You get very groggy, you get very tired, you want to go to sleep and then your respiratory system completely shuts down and you never wake up. It's a silent killer and it kills through people passing out slash, falling asleep and they literally never wake up. In so many parents and this is horrific and it's got to be discussed. And, by the way, above and beyond everything that's been mentioned, they are now starting to find fentanyl and marijuana gel tabs. They're finding fentanyl getting sprinkled into bud marijuana. So it's everywhere and it's so dangerous. Parents are finding their children dead . Every day Imagine a completely full airplane there is a full airplane of people dying every day from Fentanyl ingestion.

Speaker 1: 4:38

Yeah, yeah, which is? I mean, it's crazy when you frame it like that, because if you turn on the news and it's like, okay, a United Airlines plane crashed today, killing, you know, over 200 people on board, and then the next day is like here's another airplane crash today, killing another 200 people on board, people would freak out.

Speaker 2: 4:59

But that's kind of all but nothing you know nothing's being done. The borders are wide open. It's business, and what must be done is we must arm and prepare our children. We must keep a watchful eye out for our loved ones. Children must be raised on the fact that, without exception, they must never, never, take a pill that is not within their parents' control or their doctors or pharmacies control. Never, no matter what it is that is offered, and that's got to be a hard fast rule that is completely put into play. When as soon as humanly possible, where the conversation can be understood, and it's important to sit down with your children and show them the things we've already discussed. Show them what these counterfeit pills look like. Explain to them what this is. Explain to them what's happening. Unfortunately, it's all too common and easy to see. You will see pictures of these teenagers, of these children. They look like everyone's children. They are dead because they took a pill that was out of their control. They took a pill that they didn't know the origination from. They took a pill at a party where everyone started swapping pills and a certain number of those pills were laced with that, and those children are never coming back. That is what is at risk here.

Speaker 1: 6:19

Yeah, and what's sickening to me is that a lot of these pills are coming out in colorful arrays.

Speaker 2: 6:26

Yeah, skittles.

Speaker 1: 6:27

Yeah, skittles. It looks like skittles, sure. So it's like what's the big deal? I mean, it's like you have red and yellow and purple here, just like it's fun, take it, it's no big deal. So these drug lords are specifically targeting the younger generation.

Speaker 2: 6:43

Absolutely. And I just, I really quickly want to add a footnote. And again, we could do 100 shows on this. It wouldn't be enough. Steve, there were two young men, 13 years old, in Utah. Their brothers had ordered something online. It was a pill that was To produce energy an energy pill, if you would. They got into these pills, these two thirteen year olds. They took them and by early that evening. Both of these 13 year old boys, who were friends, were dead. Tragic. Those pills were laced. It's devastating and it's everywhere. And it's another imperative reason why I implore, why I beg Parents please, yes, educate, yes, inform. Please also drug test your children. Hmm, for this very simple reason, a child who is regularly drug tested and I understand no one's child needs to be drug tested my child would never have that problem. My child would never do anything. Yes, it's not your child I'm worried about, it's the other children, mom and dad, it's the children that'll come up on and be like hey, just try this. They're at a party, they're in a moment. These are kids. They have moments where they fall short. I have moments every day where I fall short, but they've got to know I can't, I couldn't possibly try to take half that pill or take that pill, because my mom and dad test me at random times. That pill shows up in the test and no one's gonna see me again. Yeah, because they're gonna take all my privileges away. That's why you test your kids. It's another layer of defense to keep your child from what? From dying.

Speaker 1: 8:17

See, and you, you told me that last year and I remember us talking about it and then that turned into a huge family Discussion after I came home from visiting you. And you know it's an interesting thought because I never really thought of it like that. You know, I remember, you know my sister was out of control back in California when I was younger and I remember one day, as with my mom as like nine years old, and I remember my sister's in the car, she's shouting about bees kicking the seat, I mean she's out of control, and my mom's like I'm driving by the hospital, I'm getting you tested, you know, and she's like, unless you tell me exactly what you've been doing, and finally, you know, after calling my sister's bluff, you know, in driving to the hospital she finally admitted what she was taking. So I think it's interesting words. It's not just about that like, oh, I'm gonna test you and catch you. It's really this preventative measure which I'd never really thought of before.

Speaker 2: 9:09

Exactly, and I'm so. I'm so grateful that you pivoted and you were able to bring that conversation home, because there is so much at stake and what I want to continue to see parents to, in Every way, shape and form this continue to protect Our children and every child is ours, all of ours and we, inherently, as a nation, advertisability to our children. Protect our children from what? Protect them from themselves, help them with discernment, with good choices, layers and layers and layers of defense Against this problem that is sweeping our nation. It's a global issue, of course, but it is hitting America where it hurts and it is killing our kids.

Speaker 1: 9:58

Yeah, it's crazy, and because you know, you know, I think it, you. It comes in this pill form Oftentimes and you know, unlike heroin, where you know may have this stigma of, yeah, I want to stick a needle in my arm and, you know, shoot up with heroin. I mean that's gross, that's dirty, that's what you know the homeless people do, or whatever, or the stereotype is so people may be like, I want to do that, or I want to, like, cut up coke and snort it, or I don't want to bring a giant bong to the party and you know, smoke, weed. But oh, here's a pill, it's no big deal, it's no harm, everybody's doing it, it's just gonna relax me a little bit. But what they don't realize is that that's a giant lie.

Speaker 2: 10:41

Absolutely, steve. There's cases of Just getting away from from our children. For the moment. There's cases of adults who their back hurt and one of their friends gave them something and, not realizing, their friend Got it on the secondary market and the friend who gave them pill gave them pill. They suffine, I didn't know it and the other adult died. That is happening. So, again, any of us, the whole thing's crazy and the borders are wide open. It's not a political format, this has nothing to do with it, they just are. So the drugs are streaming into our nation. We've got to be aware, we've got to be proactive, we've got to be preventative and knowledge is the key and information is power, casting our children, allowing the level of awareness, to be there, having the hard conversations and moving forward together and just having them understand. You never, never, never take a pill. That's out of our control, out of your control, no matter what path of your life it is, no matter when it is. You never do that. And they get it to where it's hard-wiring. You can go talk to my two kids anytime. They'll tell you would you take a pill if they didn't come from your mom and dad or the doctor? Would you take that pill no 13 and 11 years old. I'm not tooting our horns. They know what they know because we've made it our business to make sure they know it.

Speaker 1: 12:04

Yeah, and that's what I had, the conversation with my daughter on the way home from school today. I said don't you ever, ever, ever, ever take a pill. You understand me? Like never, ever, take a pill. I love you way too much, like I'd be devastated if something happened. And yeah, I mean 42% folks, 42% of counterfeit prescription pills that were tested, that have been tested have fentanyl. Okay, 42%. I mean that's like taking a revolver, a 10 shot revolver, and putting you know four bullets in it and then spinning it around and putting it to your head Like you would never do that, never. I mean that's crazy. I mean, hopefully you want to do that, but geez. So yeah, I'm glad that we're having this discussion, steven, and I'm glad you brought up a lot of good tips here, because this is such an important topic and we're going to do a lot more episodes. I'm sure we're going to be talking about this, but this is a great intro to what is fentanyl and what the F.

Speaker 2: 13:06

Absolutely and please, if there's Steve, I know you'll give them all the information to reach out If there's any questions, if there's any inquiries, if there's anything anyone else wants to know. I don't care who it is or what it's relating. That is what this format exists for and that is what we are here for.

Speaker 1: 13:22

Absolutely and no shame. Like here's the deal. There's no shame when it comes to me and Steven. I wish you could just sit down and have a conversation with us. No, because there's no judgment had. So sometimes there's a stigma on addiction. Let's get rid of that. So if you have any questions, if you have any comments, any feedback for us, you can email us at hello at restoredetoxcenterscom and, in total confidence, you could get answers to some of your biggest questions. We'll try to answer whatever we can. We also have restoredetoxcenterscom. That's a great website. There. We have eBooks and other resources there. So make sure you check that out if you're struggling, or even if you want some preventative tools to help you and help your family, so be sure to check that out as well.

Speaker 2: 14:11

Absolutely. Please everyone be aware, be safe and know that we are here with you and for you.