Author: John Carter

Krokodil Drug: The Deadly Dangers and Effects Explained

Engaging in healthy activities and hobbies can distract from urges to use krokodil. Regular therapy sessions with professionals can provide mental and emotional support. The ulcerated skin often progresses to severe muscle and cartilage damage. The skin continues to ulcerate, eventually sloughing off and exposing the bone underneath. By increasing education and awareness surrounding Krokodil, we can empower individuals to make informed decisions and deter them from engaging in this dangerous behavior. Using and abusing Krokodil increases the risk of gangrene setting in.

Bone damage

Check out our blog posts and resource links for the latest information on substance abuse. If you or a loved one are showing any of these signs and symptoms, call 911 immediately. The street name Krokodil also refers to chlorocodide which is a derivative of codeine and what Krokodil is made from. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Desomorphine had previously been used medically in Switzerland under the brand name Permonid. All of the cookhouses and drug dens he had visited in 2013 were either empty or occupied by other tenants – a sign of the fact that krokodil has, thankfully, fallen out of favor in Russia.

Dangers and Risks

This homemade drug is derived from codeine and mixed with toxic chemicals like paint thinner and gasoline. These harmful substances can cause severe skin damage, infections, and even death. Because of the high degree of contamination with different toxic chemicals, which vary among users, scientific analysis of the chemical composition is not available. Desomorphine can be detected in blood samples within a couple of hours and in urine samples within 2-3 days after Krokodil administration. Routine testing in the acute clinical setting is not typically available. Diagnosis is therefore based on the history provided by the patient as well as the clinical presentation.

In the few remaining regions where Krokodil use continues, poor access to proper health care may exacerbate the described complications. Medical help is reportedly only sought after during the late stages of tissue injury and may end with severe mutilation, amputation and death. If someone seeks care, extensive wound care and IV antibiotics is typically indicated. Existing reports have emphasized the high potency of desomorphine and the need for frequent redosing, resulting in binge patterns that can last over days. During these binges, sleep deprivation, poor hygiene, and malnutrition places users at risk for further complications. Variations in potency of desomorphine places users at increased risk of overdose.

  1. Non-opioid pain management alternatives include over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
  2. With Krokodil, there is an increased risk of gangrene, cognition issues, addiction, and overdoses.
  3. The psychological effects of Krokodil abuse can also be profound, with individuals experiencing cognitive impairment and an increased risk of developing mental health disorders.
  4. Desomorphine had previously been used medically in Switzerland under the brand name Permonid.
  5. It’s important to note that the production and use of krokodil are illegal and highly dangerous.

Long-Term Consequences of Krokodil Abuse

Although use is concentrated in the Soviet region, countries like Germany and Norway have also reported cases of krokodil use. If you build up a dependence, it makes it very difficult to stop using. Your body can no longer work properly without it, and if you do try to stop, severe withdrawal symptoms may occur. Due to the short duration of the “high,” many users find themselves in rapid repetition of drug use to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Desomorphine has a number of street names including Krokodil, Russian Heroin, Russia Magic, and Crocodil. Like many opioids, the effects come on fast but can last for less than two hours.

Krokodil Side Effects and Dangers of Use

The damage is believed to be at least partly caused by the toxic effect of the additives used to make the drug, most of which are erosive to skin. The drug was found to be a more potent pain reliever than morphine with a shorter duration and less nausea. Doctors continued to use the drug before and after surgery for its calming effect. A lingering question among researchers is whether or not krokodil cooks actually produce desomorphine due to “bootleg” manufacturing processes (Grund et al., 2013). Krokodil is a Schedule I substance in the United States, meaning it has high abuse potential and no accepted medicinal use.

Flesh-Eating Drug

In the first three months of 2011, the country’s counter-narcotics agency said it had seized around 65 million doses of the drug, a 23-fold increase from 2009. The agency then lobbied for the government to impose a ban on the over-the-counter sale of codeine, the main ingredient in krokodil. By 2014, two years after the ban took effect, federal authorities announced that the drug had been practically eradicated from the streets. Red phosphorus, often sourced from matchbox striker plates, is used in the reduction process. When mixed with iodine, it produces phosphorus triiodide, which helps in the conversion of codeine to desomorphine.

Dependence & Addiction

Use of this drug spread across Eastern Europe because of its low cost and higher addictive potential. The use of desomorphine is prohibited internationally and has no accepted medical uses. It leads to severe vein damage, soft tissue infections, necrosis, and gangrene. Users often face significant complications soon after injecting the drug, including the risk of amputation, organ failure, and mental health issues. This neglect could be due to the producers having a limited understanding of chemistry or as a way to avoid the costs of extracting the toxic material. In this process, desomorphine is generated from codeine (3-methylmorphine) via two intermediate steps (alpha-chlorocodide and desocodeine).

It is crucial to approach prevention efforts and support for those affected by krokodil addiction with compassion, understanding, and a commitment to breaking the cycle of addiction. By working together, we can combat the spread of this dangerous drug and help individuals live healthy, fulfilling lives free from addiction. Education programs aimed at young people can help prevent experimentation with this harmful substance.