Xylazine addiction in the United States is becoming more prevalent on a daily basis. The impacts that this drug can have can be life-threatening to people who use and abuse this drug. Understanding what Xylazine is, and how it can affect a person is crucial to being able to get the right help.
Getting help is a vital part of being able to repair any damage that could be caused and regaining control of life that is lost while abusing this drug.
Defining Xylazine- It’s Not an Opioid
Used in veterinary medicine, Xylazine is a potent sedative and analgesic drug used to sedate animals, muscles relaxation, and the treatment of pain. It works by binding to receptors in the central nervous system, creating a calming effect. Although meant to be used in veterinary medicine, it is becoming increasingly more popular in illicit uses for the purpose of getting high.
Often, when abused, this drug is mixed with other substances like opioids (Tranq Dope), which can lead to severe impacts to health and wellness. Xylazine is not meant for human consumption and reports of overdose and paralysis have been hitting the news headlines at alarming rates.
Effects of Tranq Dope
Tranq dope can be extremely dangerous when people use this drug illicitly. Prolonged use can lead to cardiovascular problems such as arrhythmias, high blood pressure and increased heart rate. These symptoms can lead to heart attack and stroke.
Xylazine abuse can also result in respiratory depression and infection. The process of metabolizing tranq dope in the body can lead to kidney damage as well as damage to the liver. The heart, lungs, kidney and liver are all vital organs within the body and damage can result in life-threatening conditions that lead to death.
Effects of Xylazine on the Central Nervous System
The central nervous system is vital to performing many functions within the body. From respiratory function to motor function, using Xylazine can impair all of these functions when used by humans. Because it is a sedative drug, it slows down nerve signal transmission within the CNS. This results in sedation, drowsiness, and extreme decreases in heart rate and blood pressure. Dangerously low blood pressure and heart rate can lead to organ damage.
Respiratory depression is also an effect that this drug can have on the central nervous system. Respiratory depression can result in low oxygen, leading to further damage to vital organs in the body. Seizures and coma can also result from using Xylazine.
Is Xylazine Fatal?
Because it is not intended for human consumption, this drug can be unpredictable when used by humans. Xylazine can contribute to worsening depression and anxiety, or the onset of these mental health conditions. It can also cause a person to fall into a state of psychosis. Due to its unpredictable nature, when using this drug for the purpose of feeling a euphoric high, it can lead to overdose.
Xylazine is not a drug intended for use in humans; therefore, when someone experiences an overdose, it is crucial that they receive medical care as soon as possible. Unlike opioids, Naloxone (or Narcan) cannot help to reverse the effects of overdose. However, due to tranq dope being a common way of abusing Xylazine, Narcan should still be administered in order to reverse the effects of the opioids that are mixed in.
When someone is struggling with addiction to this drug, it is vital to receive professional care to help prevent severe complications. Addiction to this substance can lead to devastating results. It can be fatal, and it can have severe impacts to a person’s health and mental health. Getting proper help as soon as possible can help prevent some complications from occurring.
Xylazine Withdrawal
Once a person makes a decision to stop using this drug, some pretty severe and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms may arise.
These symptoms can include:
- Anxiety
- Agitation
- Muscle aches
- Restlessness
- Insomnia
- Vivid nightmares
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- High blood pressure
- Rapid heart rate
- Hallucinations
- Delirium
Seeking professional help as soon as possible can help prevent severe complications as a result of these symptoms. These distressing symptoms can lead to continued use, resulting in further health and mental health damage as well as a higher risk of overdose.
Professional help for Xylazine withdrawal helps not only provide comfort through these distressing symptoms but also ensure a person’s safety as they remove this dangerous substance from their system. A safe and effective withdrawal process can help someone begin a journey to recovery and maintain long-term recovery from addiction to this deadly substance.
Xylazine Detox in Tennessee
The effects of Xylazine can be far-reaching, touching every aspect of a person’s life. The inability to control themselves once they start using this drug leads to impacts on intrapersonal relationships, family dynamics, careers, and school.
It can also lead to severe health impacts. If you or a loved one are struggling with this drug, we can help. Brentwood Springs strives to provide productive care for individuals who are struggling to find recovery.
Reach out today and begin a journey to recovery from addiction.
