M30s or “blues” are opiate-based prescription opioids. “Blues” is a term used for fake pills that are designed to look like authentic Oxycodone prescriptions but frequently contain fentanyl, which can lead to severe health dangers. Acknowledging these signs is vital in delivering adequate support and timely intervention to those impacted by substance dependence on counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl.
Who Is Most at Risk?
Both Percocet and M30 contain oxycodone and can be used in directed medical settings to treat pain where non-opioid pain relief is ineffective. The treatment also provides additional resources while engaging in effective mental health support. MAT uses medications like methadone to challenge the symptoms of opioid addiction and withdrawal.
- These counterfeit pills not only filled the demand for opioids but also brought an even more dangerous player into the equation—fentanyl.
- However, the black market is flooded with counterfeit M30s, which can be visually similar to the genuine product.
- Dealers can also access younger people through social media platforms more quickly than older groups.
- Treatment for opioid addiction often involves a combination of medication-assisted treatment (MAT), behavioral therapy, and counseling.
Counterfeit Blues and Other Known Street Names
Instead, they are often pressed with fentanyl—a drug up to 50 times more potent than heroin. Despite their familiar appearance, most of these pills are made illegally and do not contain legitimate pharmaceutical ingredients. They typically appear as small, round, blue tablets marked with “M30” to mimic 30mg oxycodone tablets.
Inpatient Treatment
This is because there can be different ingredients cut into medically prescribed opioids and fake pills. Identifying drug use can prompt exploring effective treatment at Sandstone Care or preventing addiction or overdose in a family member. Blues drugs are a part of the ongoing opioid crisis, and there is nobody immune to their effects.
For example, “bombay blue” is a form of synthetic marijuana. However, it is also possible to find Percocets that are round and blue, further making them harder to distinguish from M30s. Their use should be monitored for potential signs of addiction. Both Percocet and M30s require careful and directed use from a healthcare provider.
Blues (drug): More than just a blue pill
With sustained support, many people recover and return to living healthy lives. Approved medications, methadone, buprenorphine (Suboxone), and naltrexone (after detox), reduce overdose risk and curb cravings. It can be hard to spot blues use at first, but some red flags stand out. It may also be detrimental to mental health, with increased anxiety, depression, and the constant stress of dealing with addiction. Physically, chronic opioid use causes tolerance (needing more of the drug for the same effect) and withdrawal symptoms (agitation, aches, diarrhea, insomnia).
This becomes even more complicated when fake pills are involved. Using prescription painkillers outside of the method and amount prescribed can be incredibly dangerous. This is especially true if an individual is taking the drug without being aware of how potent the pill may be. These dangers are greatly worsened when involved with fake pills.
How to Avoid Counterfeit Drugs
And, finally, what options are there for recovery? Use the form below to contact us and an addiction specialist will reach out to you. We can provide a comprehensive assessment and create a treatment plan suited to the individual’s specific needs. It’s important to remember that recovery is a personal journey and can be different for everyone. Opioid overdose is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Opioids have a high potential for addiction due to their powerful effects on the brain’s reward system.
Health officials warn that many of these pills contain fentanyl, a powerful opioid up to 100 times stronger than morphine. Of late, these bright blue tablets, typically stamped “M30” or similar marks, have shifted from medical pain relievers to lethal counterfeit drugs. Drug treatment programs are available for people addicted to blues. Counterfeit pills containing fentanyl vary in risk but can be deadly if they contain a dosage high enough to be fatal.
The blue pills produced on the street are unregulated. They often find and use the illegal street drug to feed their addiction, leading to legal issues, increased risk of addiction, and significant physical harm. As a result, many people who have become addicted to prescription oxycodone will look for alternative forms after they no longer can be obtained legally. Yes, blue drugs are very addictive and have a high abuse potential. ‘Blues’ can either refer to the prescription drug oxycodone that is commonly abused, or the synthetic street version that users frequently avail themselves of, too. However, the reality is that blue pills can be extremely harmful when misused.
PTSD, Trauma, and Addiction: The Role of Dual Diagnosis Programs
- But, with the rise of Blues came also rising demand for cheap opioids, which raised concerns against the fight of the opioid epidemic.
- Public health campaigns like the DEA’s “One Pill Can Kill” campaign are essential in educating people about the dangers of counterfeit pills and fentanyl.
- But it’s critical to understand that just one counterfeit pill can contain a lethal dose of fentanyl.
- Misuse of opioids like oxycodone can lead to addiction, overdose, and even death, especially when combined with other substances like alcohol or benzodiazepines.
Opioids are a class of drugs that interact with opioid receptors in the brain, reducing pain and producing feelings of euphoria. Many of these pills are marketed as legitimate prescription medications, further luring in unsuspecting buyers. These pills are often sold online or through social media platforms, making them easy to obtain, especially for younger individuals who may not fully understand the risks involved. According to the DEA, the number of fake pills containing fentanyl seized in 2021 was over 20 million, more than double the number seized in 2020. The complexities of drug addiction in this evolving crisis highlight the urgent need for effective treatment and support for those affected. When access to prescription opioids became restricted through government regulation, many individuals turned to the black market for alternatives.
Common Withdrawal Symptoms and the Detox Process
However, most street blues contain fentanyl, which is significantly more potent than heroin or morphine. While addiction usually develops over time, even one use of a fentanyl-laced pill can create a powerful craving due to its intensity. If you’re worried about someone you love who is using the blues drug, your words can make a difference. If you or someone you know is at risk of opioid overdose, naloxone (Narcan) can save a life.
To identify the drug, blues are typically round blue tablets with an imprint of a “30” on one side, closely resembling the appearance of oxycodone tablets. Their street names can include “oxy,” “blue pills,” and “blue rocks.” These are terms used by individuals seeking to sell or buy the drug on the street. The name “Blues drug” is derived from the blue coloring of these pills. ” Many people are describing a class of prescription drugs that has hit the streets. A pill bought on the street is never safe, unlike a pharmacist’s oxycodone, a blue/M30 might contain a deadly dose of fentanyl.
Fentanyl is many times stronger than even already intense opioids like morphine. Fake pill coloration can range anywhere from their notable blue color to off-white. Many fake pills are intentionally made to masquerade as the real thing. Some risks of these risks can be life-threatening or bring Blues drugs an increased chance of overdose.
As more finances are diverted to purchasing illicit drugs, other areas of a person’s budget can be compromised. Doing so exposes an individual to more dangerous and intense versions of the drug. However, young people are by no means the only ones at risk. Pursuing professional treatment from a dedicated facility like Sandstone Care is crucial to exploring the effects of addiction.
With time, the body develops a level of tolerance to the drug, which means that a greater dose must be taken in order for the body to experience the same effects as previously. This allows the drug to enter the bloodstream directly, causing the onset of effects almost immediately. When snorted, the drug reaches the bloodstream faster, allowing the user to experience its effects much sooner. They may decide to stop prescribing the medication if they have reason to believe that the user may be developing dependence or an addiction. Since there is widespread awareness of oxycodone’s addictive properties, doctors usually monitor patients carefully while they are taking oxycodone. Oxycodone is prescribed to help people manage severe pain, such as pain caused by chronic diseases or post-surgery.
This analog, however, shows up only in isolated lab tests, not in most pills seized nationwide. Instead, they’re often illicitly manufactured with fentanyl and other unknown substances. The ongoing spread of non-pharmaceutical fentanyl (NPF) is a major driver of the U.S. overdose crisis. Blues, also known as M30s or a lookalike of oxycodone, are a type of commonly abused prescription painkiller. A comprehensive approach is usually the best option for most people with drug use problems. Several treatment options for addiction are available for addiction to Blues.
