There is a new addictive substance making its mark, and it’s name is krokodil. It goes by other names, “the drug that eats junkies”, “the flesh eating drug” or “the flesh rotting drug”, and those descriptions are sadly very real. We hope these early descriptions deter any from every crossing paths with the drug known as krokodil, but in case there is still any skepticism or allure to its name we will further explain in this article what krokodil is, how it came to be, and what to do for those who have become addicted.
Krokodil is a street name for a drug with an active ingredient desomorphine, a synthetic opioid drug with greater potency than morphine. Krokodil users make this drug within their own homes, using codeine combined with other easily obtainable additives such as paint thinner, gasoline, iodine, red phosphorus and other poisonous chemicals. You may be asking yourself, why would someone go to such dangerous lengths and then continue by injecting such a substance into their bodies? A form of opioid addiction has likely already set in for these individuals looking to use krokodil, but the cost of heroin is usually the reason for experimenting with krokodil. Making this drug yourself comes with extreme dangers but likely cheaper then illegally buying heroin from other sources.
Krokodil and desomorphine have been in existence since the 1930’s but just recently in the early 2000s, a dramatic surge of krokodil related cases plagues Siberia, Russia, and other European countries. The reasons for the drugs resurgence can be many but many agree this picked up as access to heroin became more restrictive in Eastern Europe during that time. Cases progressed as individuals had found a cheaper, stronger high, but was slowed in 2012 due to heavier restrictions placed on the purchasing of codeine-containing medications. Aside from a slight surge of cases in the United States during the mid to late 2000s, America has not experienced a large influx of krokodil cases, similarly relating to our own heavy restrictions on access to codeine medications.
Krokodil is extremely dangerous. This drug does not waste time. Many of the grotesque and demonstrative physical effects become present immediately after using krokodil, and will only become progressively worse with continued use, but perhaps most importantly, beyond the physical ruination of this drugs effects on a person’s skin, veins, and internal organs is its likely conclusion. The average life expectancy of a krokodil user is only two years. This drug kills, leaving victims wherever it goes, and it’s a debilitating sight. Below are the expected side effects likely experienced by a krokodil user:
If you or a loved one has used krokodil (or any other form of opioid, alcohol, and/or drug abuse) you should seek treatment immediately at an inpatient treatment facility like the one at Long Island Center for Recovery (LICR). While our facility will not be able to handle any of the physical ailments associated with krokodil use, we would begin the detoxification process in a safe and secure environment. Once we have the withdrawal symptoms under control it’s all about the mental progression to understanding our client’s habits of abuse and a sustainable recovery and a long and healthy future.
We hope this information was helpful in providing an understanding of the emerging drug krokodil. If you or a loved one needs any additional assistance with addiction treatment services, please reach out to Long Island Center for Recovery at 631-728-3100, and we’d be happy to assist you or your loved ones in any way possible.
References:
Cal Poison Control System: Krokodil
https://calpoison.org/content/krokodil
Posted in: Addiction TreatmentDrug DetoxDrug RehabInpatient Rehab
Across the category of addiction, an ever-evolving topic of discussion is one centered around the drug, Ketamine. Ketamine unfortunately falls into the category of a purposeful medication that is too often misused and abused by individuals beyond its intended and approved purposes. In this article, we will explore a brief background of what Ketamine is, […]
Read ArticleFill out our form, and we will contact you shortly or provide you with the information requested.