Krokodil is the street name for a drug called desomorphine that first appeared in Russia around 2002. It is made up of codeine-based headache pills and household ingredients like gasoline, iodine, hydrochloric acid, paint thinner, and red phosphorus from matchboxes. These are mixed together and then injected. Some of its other names are zombie drug, Crocodile, Croc, Krok, Russian Magic, and Poor Man’s Heroin. While desomorphine is faster acting and more effective than morphine for the rapid relief of severe pain, it is shorter lasting and has greater chances of causing respiratory distress.
This particular drug hasn’t become popular in the U.S. Many of the circumstances that led to the production and use of Krokodil in Russia, such as the lack of access to heroin and relatively easy access to over-the-counter codeine are not the same in the United States. Desomorphine is considered a Schedule I substance in the United States, meaning it has high abuse potential and no accepted medicinal use.
The International Business Times reported that Krokodil has triple the potency of heroin but is only a tenth of the price, which makes it attractive to those who can’t obtain or afford the real thing. It is a drug for the poor, and some only use it when they run out of heroin or the funds to purchase it. Unlike heroin, where the effects can last for several hours, a Krokodil high only lasts between 90 minutes and two hours. The “cooking” process takes at least half an hour, leading some to say that being a Krokodil addict is basically a full-time job.
Krokodil was given its name because of the nasty side effects it causes. When the drug is injected, it can damage the veins and lead to localized infections. These infections may ultimately spread to other areas and cause organ damage, or if the limbs are badly infected, doctors may need to amputate. Wherever on the body, a user injects the drug, blood vessels burst and surrounding tissue dies, sometimes falling off the bone and appearing to rot away. This side effect is what earned Krokodil one of its other nicknames – the zombie drug. It is also believed that the name Krokodil came about because the injection site bears similarities to a crocodile, becoming gray or green and scaly. Others suggest the name was derived from one of the drug’s precursor chemicals, alpha-chlorocodide.
If a person does manage to get clean from Krokodil, they may be left with permanent damage like a speech impediment, vacant gaze, and erratic movements. Withdrawal symptoms are considerably worse than those associated with heroin. It can last for up to a month and require strong tranquilizers for patients to deal with the pain. The typical life span of an addict is just two or three years.
If you or a loved one need help to quit drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949) 438-4504.
