User:Rmackay97

= Krokodil =

Drug Name
It is known as Krokodil, "Zombie Drug" and "Poor Mans Meth" on the streets but medically it is called Desomorphine.

Background Information
Krokodil was created by American Scientists in 1932. It was originally intended to be used as a stronger alternative to morphine for treating patients and wound survivors. Krokodil is very popular in the the Russian culture as an alternative to Heroin and has also been found in Switzerland. This is a homemade drug that I am sure has had many variations created but in general it has not changed. Krokodil is also referred to as the Zombie drug which gives it no surprise that it has a short half life, which means this drug is given on repeat over and over. Krokodil is made at home by picking up codeine over the counter and cooking it with paint thinner, gasoline, dydrochloric acid, Iodine and red phosphorus from strike pads on match boxes. It takes only about a half hour to make and is injected into the vein typically resulting in a high that lasts anywhere from 90 minutes to 2 hours. While several drugs are quickly and harshly addictive and physically damaging, Krokodil sets a new standard for destruction of everything.

Characteristics of Using the Drug
This drug is named for the effect it has on the bod. Krokodil causes the skin to become green and scaly like that of a Crocodile. In addition if an addict misses a vein the person will develop abscesses along with gangrene and may require amputation of the effected body part. This can become so bad that the flesh may even rot down to the bone. This a mentally exhausting drug. You become so depend it upon this so fast and then can not stop. Doctors say that withdrawal from Krokodil may be the worse yet due to it being the strongest addiction and hardest to cure. Many drugs take 10 days for a withdrawl, Krokodil on the other hand takes as long as a month of unbearable pain. If an individual makes it to being clean they can be left with lasting effects like a speech impediment, vacant gaze and erratic movements not to mention the scars left behind. Individuals who use Krokodil only have a 1 to 2 year life expectancy this is drastically less than Heroin. Overdose of this drug may result from the short lived high and the addicts body craving for more. With a homemade drug you make make it as strong as wanted also increasing the chances of overdose.

Health Risks
Reported health hazards from use of krokodil: Addiction is an obvious problem with krokodil use due to its high potency and short duration of effect. Frequent use of Krokodil may lead to binge patterns that can last for days. Users are at increased risk for exhaustion due to sleep deprivation. In areas where krokodil use is just beginning, variations in potency or recipes can put users at increased risk of overdose.
 * Blood vessel damage
 * Open ulcers, gangrene, phlebitis
 * Skin and soft tissue infections
 * Skin grafts/surgery
 * Limb amputations
 * Pneumonia
 * Blood poisoning
 * Meningitis
 * Rotting gums/tooth loss
 * Blood-borne virus transmission (due to needle sharing)
 * Bone infections
 * Speech and motor skills impairment
 * Memory loss and impaired concentration
 * Liver and kidney damage
 * Overdose
 * Death

Another less obvious risk with krokodil use is that those who get gangrene may delay seeking medical treatment not only is it possible they are to high to realize how much pain they are in they may also not want to get in trouble.

Treatment Methods
Treatments for the addiction of krokodil come in many forms unfortunately. Detox is important for krokodil. Some choose to go through the detox slow while others choose to be sedated and go through a rapid detox though this costs thousands of dollars. Due to Krokodil being so addictive many also need to attend additional therapy to stay clean. Due to the physical effects of krokodil many people also need wound care and skin grafts.

Photographs
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/600x315/e8/f4/53/e8f453b81f0154c116ba7de8a4d2aa90.jpg https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.PoDM1qDswIcujriThPxt6wEsCo&pid=15.1&P=0&w=339&h=191