Why is NDAFW important? Misinformation about drugs and alcohol is everywhere, especially on social media. NDAFW empowers young people with real facts from experts, helping them make informed decisions about their health while dropping the stigma around addiction, mental health, and seeking help.
Check out the infographic below to learn some surprising facts and statistics about alcohol and drug use in the United States.
Fentanyl was first introduced to the United States in the 1960s as a powerful pain reliever for surgical patients and those with severe chronic pain. Originally developed for medical purposes, it has since become one of the most dangerous drugs driving the opioid crisis. Over the past decade, fentanyl has increasingly been used recreationally, often unknowingly, by users who purchase drugs laced with it. Its presence in illicit drug markets has led to a staggering rise in overdose deaths, making headlines as one of the deadliest substances in America today.
What is Fentanyl and How Does It Get Here?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. While pharmaceutical-grade fentanyl is still used in medical settings, most of the fentanyl responsible for the current crisis is illicitly manufactured. Much of it is produced in clandestine labs overseas, particularly in China and Mexico, before being smuggled into the U.S. through established drug trafficking routes. It is often mixed into heroin, cocaine, and counterfeit prescription pills, making it nearly impossible for users to determine if their drugs contain a lethal dose.
Why is Fentanyl So Addictive and Difficult to Quit?
Fentanyl’s extreme potency means that even small amounts can produce intense euphoria, making it highly addictive. It binds to opioid receptors in the brain at a much faster rate than other opioids, leading to rapid physical dependence. Once addicted, individuals experience severe withdrawal symptoms, including muscle pain, nausea, vomiting, and extreme cravings, making it incredibly difficult to quit without medical intervention. The cycle of addiction is further fueled by the high risk of overdose, as users may unknowingly consume a lethal dose.
How Fentanyl Kills
Fentanyl kills primarily by causing respiratory depression. As a powerful opioid, it binds to receptors in the brain that regulate pain and breathing. When taken in high doses or when mixed unknowingly with other substances, fentanyl can slow or completely stop a person’s breathing, leading to oxygen deprivation, unconsciousness, and ultimately death. This happens extremely quickly, sometimes within minutes. Because of its potency, even a tiny amount can trigger a fatal overdose, making it far more dangerous than other opioids. Just two milligrams (equal to 5 grains of salt) of fentanyl can lead to death.
Fentanyl-related overdose deaths have surged dramatically since about 2014. In the decade since, nearly half a million (464,351) American lives have been lost because of fentanyl. To put that into perspective, the U.S. has experienced more deaths from fentanyl than occurred during World War II, or—with the exception of the Civil War—all other wars before WWII combined.
What’s Being Done to Curtail the Fentanyl Problem in the U.S.?
Current governmental efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis include stricter border control measures, increased law enforcement crackdowns on trafficking networks, and harsher penalties for dealers distributing fentanyl-laced drugs. Additionally, harm reduction strategies such as expanded access to naloxone (Narcan), which can reverse opioid overdoses, and supervised consumption sites are being implemented in some areas to help prevent fatalities. Public awareness campaigns also aim to educate individuals about the dangers of fentanyl and the risks associated with illicit drug use.
At Northstar, clients have access to naloxone while in the program and are also given the opportunity to take into the community. **Please note, an increasing amount of fentanyl analogs are being created that are stronger and bind more tightly to the receptors. This makes naloxone ineffective and rely more heavily on rescue breathing for life-saving efforts.**
How to Get Help for Yourself or a Loved One
If you or a loved one is struggling with fentanyl addiction, seek help immediately—your life or theirs may depend on it.
There are numerous treatment options available, including medication-assisted treatment (MAT) with drugs like buprenorphine and methadone, which can help manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Support groups, counseling, and rehabilitation programs provide additional resources for recovery.
Northstar Recovery Center is available 24/7 to help facilitate the early stages of your recovery journey. We can assist with detox placement, coordinate sober living, and offer best-in-class day treatment to set individuals up with the tools for long-term success.
March 6th marks Black Balloon Day, a solemn occasion dedicated to remembering those who have lost their lives from a drug overdose. At Northstar Recovery Center, we stand in solidarity with families and communities affected by addiction, honoring lives lost and reinforcing our commitment to providing compassionate, evidence-based treatment for those struggling with substance and alcohol use disorders.
All of us, and many of our clients, have been personally affected by the rise in overdose deaths in recent years. Today we will set aside time to honor those who left us too soon, and share in gratitude for our lives, our sobriety, and our ability to help the sick and suffering.
The Significance of Black Balloon Day
Black Balloon Day began as a grassroots movement, started by Diane and Lauren Hurley, who lost their loved one to overdose. Over time, it has grown into a nationwide day of remembrance, symbolized by the display of black balloons outside homes and businesses. It serves as a powerful visual reminder of the devastating impact of addiction and the urgent need for awareness, support, and solutions.
Each black balloon represents a life taken too soon—someone’s child, sibling, parent, or friend. The grief that follows addiction-related loss is profound, but through remembrance, we acknowledge the importance of their lives and the need to fight stigma surrounding substance use disorders. On this day, we encourage individuals to share stories, light candles, or participate in community events that foster connection and healing.
How You Can Participate
Display a black balloon outside your home or workplace in memory of those lost.
Share stories and experiences on social media to spread awareness.
Attend or organize a local event honoring Black Balloon Day.
To those struggling with addiction or grieving a loved one, you are not alone. There is hope, there is help, and there is healing. We are here to support you every step of the way. Let’s work together to break the stigma, raise awareness, and create a future where fewer families have to mourn the loss of a loved one due to addiction.
For more information on our treatment programs and how we can help, give us a call at 888-339-5756 today.
Substance use has played a complex and evolving role in the history of New England, reflecting broader societal trends, economic forces, and public health challenges. From the early colonial days to the modern opioid crisis, patterns of drug and alcohol consumption in the region have been shaped by cultural attitudes, legislative measures, and medical developments. Understanding this history provides valuable insight into the current landscape of substance use and addiction treatment in New England.
Colonial and Early American Period (1600s–1800s)
Substance use in New England dates back to the earliest European settlers. In the 1600s, Puritans and other colonists brought with them a deep-seated reliance on alcohol, particularly beer, cider, and rum. Drinking was an integral part of daily life, as fermented beverages were often safer to consume than water, which was frequently contaminated. Rum, distilled from molasses imported via the transatlantic triangular trade, became a major industry in colonial New England, particularly in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
Despite widespread alcohol consumption, New England’s Puritan roots fostered a moralistic approach to intoxication. While drinking itself was not condemned, excessive drunkenness was viewed as a sin and was sometimes met with legal consequences. Laws regulating taverns and prohibiting public intoxication reflected these concerns.
By the early 19th century, temperance movements began gaining traction in New England. Fueled by religious revivalism and concerns over social decay, these movements advocated for moderation or complete abstinence from alcohol. In 1826, the American Temperance Society was founded in Boston, quickly amassing a large following and setting the stage for nationwide prohibitionist efforts.
The Rise of Prohibition and Its Aftermath (1800s–1933)
New England played a leading role in the national temperance movement. Maine, for example, became the first U.S. state to enact a statewide prohibition law in 1851 under the leadership of Neal Dow, a prominent temperance advocate. This “Maine Law” served as a model for other states and laid the groundwork for national prohibition decades later.
With the ratification of the 18th Amendment in 1920, alcohol became illegal across the United States. However, prohibition was met with widespread resistance in New England, particularly in urban centers like Boston, where speakeasies and bootlegging operations flourished. Organized crime took advantage of the ban, smuggling alcohol into the region from Canada and other sources.
By 1933, the failure of prohibition to curb alcohol consumption or organized crime led to the repeal of the 18th Amendment. After prohibition ended, alcohol regained its place in American society, though heavily regulated. The legacy of the temperance movement persisted in some parts of New England, with lingering restrictions on alcohol sales in certain towns and counties.
The Rise of Prescription Drugs and Illicit Substances (20th Century)
As alcohol consumption normalized in the mid-20th century, new concerns emerged regarding the use of other substances. The post-World War II era saw a surge in the medical use of barbiturates, amphetamines, and opiates, which were initially prescribed for pain relief, sleep disorders, and mental health conditions. By the 1960s and 1970s, however, the recreational use of illicit drugs—including marijuana, LSD, and heroin—became increasingly prevalent, particularly among young people.
New England cities like Boston and Hartford saw growing heroin use, linked to social unrest, economic downturns, and the Vietnam War. Soldiers returning from Vietnam brought home experiences with heroin, exacerbating addiction rates. At the same time, concerns over drug-related crime led to harsher law enforcement policies and mandatory sentencing laws.
The “War on Drugs” policies of the 1980s, initiated by the Reagan administration, disproportionately affected urban communities in New England. Strict penalties for drug offenses led to increased incarceration rates, but they did little to curb the demand for substances like cocaine and heroin. Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies began aggressively marketing opioid painkillers, which would have devastating consequences in the coming decades.
The Opioid Crisis and the Modern Landscape (1990s–Present)
New England has been one of the regions hardest hit by the opioid epidemic, which began in the 1990s with the over-prescription of painkillers such as OxyContin. Purdue Pharma, headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, played a central role in promoting these medications as safe and non-addictive, despite growing evidence to the contrary.
As prescription opioids became more tightly regulated in the 2010s, many users turned to cheaper and more accessible alternatives such as heroin and fentanyl. Overdose deaths skyrocketed, particularly in states like Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid significantly more potent than heroin, further intensified the crisis, leading to a dramatic increase in fatal overdoses.
New England has responded to the crisis with a range of harm reduction and treatment initiatives. Supervised injection sites, expanded access to medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and the widespread availability of naloxone (Narcan) have become key components of the region’s public health strategy. Additionally, legal action against opioid manufacturers and distributors has resulted in significant financial settlements intended to fund addiction treatment programs.
The Importance of Quality Treatment Facilities
Given the ongoing substance use crisis, finding a quality detox, residential, and outpatient facility is crucial in addressing addiction effectively. Proper treatment centers provide medically supervised detoxification, reducing the risk of complications and ensuring a safer withdrawal process. Residential programs offer structured environments that allow individuals to focus on recovery without the distractions or triggers of everyday life. Outpatient addiction services help patients maintain their daily responsibilities while receiving continuous support through counseling, therapy, and medication-assisted treatment.
The history of substance use in New England is a story of cyclical patterns—initial acceptance, rising concerns, legislative intervention, and unintended consequences. From the rum trade of the colonial era to the opioid epidemic of today, substance use has been deeply intertwined with economic, social, and political forces. While significant challenges remain, the region continues to evolve in its approach to addiction, focusing on harm reduction, treatment, and policy reform in an effort to address one of the most pressing public health crises of the modern era.
Northstar Recovery Center, with locations in West Springfield and Southborough, MA, is in the fight against the opioid epidemic and addiction from substance and alcohol misuse. If you or someone you know is struggling, contact us to get the help you need today. Our representatives will assist you in finding the proper level of care for where you are at, and support you throughout your recovery journey.
Give us a call and reclaim your life: 888-339-5756
