Krokodil: the terrifying effects of this dangerous new drug

Discover the horrifying effects of one of the most terrible drugs we have ever known: Krokodil.

The Krokodil o Desomorphine is a homemade opiate-based drug that is up to ten times stronger than heroin and many times cheaper and more toxic.

The effects of the drug are both terrible and irreversible. The name Krokodil comes from the reaction of the drug on the person taking it, whose skin will turn green and scaly, like that of a crocodile, among many other undesirable effects.

What is Krokodil?

Krokodil is increasingly used by drug addicts in parts of Europe as a substitute for heroin, especially in the poorer regions of Russia and Siberia.

Addiction to this drug is not very long-lasting, as regular users do not usually live longer than a few years. habitual users do not usually live more than two years. since they start taking this combination of pain medications and very toxic chemicals.

Combining toxic chemicals and pain medications.

Desomorphine is manufactured at home from a combination of codeine-based tablets, paint thinner, lighter fluid, gasoline, hydrochloric acid, red phosphorus (scraped from matchboxes) and iodine. The result of cooking the painkillers and chemicals is a toxic and highly addictive drug.

Addicts are continually cooking the drug to ensure that they will be able to get the next dose.. The caramel-colored liquid is injected into damaged and gangrenous areas giving users a "high" that will last about thirty minutes at most.

Effects

The toxic nature of these chemicals causes the skin to change color and become scaly. In users, the skin around the injection sites becomes covered with ulcers and the Blood vessels rupture, causing tissue death. The skin is eaten away by the chemicals in the drug, which rots the flesh down to the bone. Teeth fall out, brain damage is common, and tetanus and blood poisoning are almost assured..

Reports suggest that the use of Krokodil is increasing in poor regions, such as isolated parts of Russiasuch as isolated parts of Russia, where heroin is hard to find. Up to 5% of drug addicts in Russia use Krokodil or other home-made drugs. Krokodil has higher addiction rates and is harder to quit than heroin. Users will go through severe and painful withdrawal periods for up to a month after stopping use, but the long-term effects of the drug will last longer. Brain damage, hepatitis, rotting teeth or amputations are some of the side effects.

A drug on the rise in Europe

In Europe, despite the horrible reactions and side effects, its use has been on the rise since 2002.. This increase is believed to be related to the success of drug eradication programs, which have reduced the influx of heroin into countries such as Russia.

Heroin treatment also lacks public funding in the country, and it should be noted that methadone therapy is illegal in the Soviet country. Likewise, seven U.S. states have also reported cases of Krokodil use.

A drug that is gaining ground in the old continent and about which the health authorities have already warned the population.