In recent years, a new substance has emerged as a serious concern in the field of addiction: xylazine. Used primarily as an animal tranquilizer, xylazine has started to appear on the streets, often mixed with opioids and other illicit drugs.
The alarming rise of xylazine abuse highlights the dangers and unique challenges it brings to addiction treatment. Understanding what xylazine is and how it affects those who use it is essential for individuals struggling with addiction and the loved ones who support them.
What Is Xylazine?
Xylazine, also known as tranq, is a powerful veterinary sedative. It’s mainly used by veterinarians to calm and sedate large animals, like horses and cattle, during medical procedures. But recently, it has been used in illegal street drugs, and many don’t realize it isn’t approved for human use. It is extremely dangerous when misused.1
How Is Xylazine Abused?
In cases of xylazine abuse, the drug is often injected, smoked, or snorted by people who seek a strong sedative effect. The drug is sometimes mixed with opioids, like fentanyl, to produce a more potent and dangerous high. Unfortunately, using xylazine in this way leads to severe health issues, including the risk of overdose.2
Is Xylazine Addictive?
Xylazine’s effects can cause dependence, especially when mixed with other drugs. While xylazine itself does not create the same level of physical dependence as opioids, people may still develop an addiction to the effects. This xylazine drug addiction can have devastating consequences, both physically and mentally.
Side Effects and Health Risks of Xylazine Abuse
The abuse of xylazine comes with dangerous side effects, which worsen over time. Xylazine side effects range from mild symptoms to life-threatening conditions.
Immediate Side Effects of Xylazine Abuse
When used by people, the sedative effects are unpredictable and severe. Common side effects include:2
- Extreme drowsiness and heavy sedation
- Low blood pressure and slowed heart rate
- Confusion and impaired cognitive function
- Respiratory depression, especially when combined with other depressants
These effects can lead to accidents, injury, or other severe health risks. Because xylazine was not designed for human use, its impact on the brain is both unpredictable and damaging.
Xylazine Wounds and Other Health Risks
One of the most shocking results of abuse is the development of xylazine wounds, which are painful sores and abscesses that form on the skin, especially at injection sites. These wounds can lead to:1
- Severe skin ulcers and infections
- Risk of needing limb amputation
- Chronic pain and difficulty with wound healing
- Increased vulnerability to severe systemic infections
In addition, prolonged use of xylazine weakens the immune system, leaving individuals at risk of life-threatening complications and infections.
Overdose Risks of Xylazine
The risk of overdose is a serious concern with xylazine abuse. When combined with opioids, the chances of respiratory failure increase significantly. Naloxone, a medication commonly used to reverse opioid overdoses, can counteract the effects of opioids without causing harm if opioids aren’t present.2
However, naloxone cannot reverse the impact xylazine has on breathing. This means that even after naloxone is administered, xylazine’s sedation effects on respiration may persist, making overdose more challenging to treat. Overdose risks with xylazine also include increased risk of coma or death. Because there is no specific antidote for xylazine, overdoses involving this drug require prompt and specialized medical care to prevent fatal outcomes.2
Xylazine Withdrawal
Another challenge in xylazine addiction is withdrawal. Xylazine withdrawal symptoms are similar to opioid withdrawal and include:2
- Intense anxiety and nervousness
- Sweating and shaking
- Restlessness and agitation
- Muscle aches and discomfort
- Feelings of sadness
These withdrawal symptoms make it challenging for people to stop using xylazine without professional help, highlighting the need for medical support to manage withdrawal.
Treatment and Recovery Options
Given the severe risks of xylazine, finding effective treatment options is crucial for anyone facing xylazine drug addiction. Like other forms of addiction, the treatment process starts with understanding the root causes and building a strong support network. Here are key elements of recovery for xylazine abuse:
Medical Detox
The first step in treating xylazine addiction is medical detox. In a detox program, medical staff can help manage the intense xylazine withdrawal symptoms safely. Medical professionals monitor the process closely, ensuring that the individual remains as comfortable as possible. Since xylazine is often mixed with opioids, this step may also address opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Therapy and Counseling
Talk therapy and behavioral counseling are essential parts of treating xylazine drug addiction. Therapy helps people understand why they began using xylazine and how they can change their behavior to avoid future abuse. Counseling can help address mental health issues, develop coping skills, and provide tools to handle future challenges.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
In many cases, people abusing xylazine may struggle with other mental health issues, like depression or anxiety. This is where dual diagnosis treatment is essential. By addressing mental health and addiction together, individuals have a better chance of a full recovery. Dual diagnosis programs offer support and therapies designed to treat both addiction and mental health disorders simultaneously.
Recover From Xylazine Addiction With Lumina Recovery
Xylazine abuse is a growing concern with significant health risks, including overdose, withdrawal challenges, and severe physical side effects. For individuals facing addiction, recovery may feel daunting, but with specialized support, a healthier future is possible.
At Lumina Recovery, we offer a range of services, including detox and dual diagnosis that provide comprehensive care tailored to each person’s unique needs. These programs ensure safe withdrawal from substances like xylazine and address underlying mental health issues to support sustained recovery.
If you or a loved one is affected by xylazine or any form of addiction, reach out to Lumina Recovery to start the journey to a healthier life today.
Sources:
