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You have a close friend who you know occasionally participates in substance use. They've always seemed fine and even spoken with you about it before, so despite your concerns, you just made sure to let them know you were there if they needed you.
Recently, however, you saw a news article about "The Rise of Tranq Dope." You gave it a click and started reading about a new trend in substance use. Some of the results were very concerning, and now you were worried that your loved one might end up trying it out. What can you do? How dangerous is Tranq Dope?
Here at Serenity Lane, our history in the world of rehab has us doing our best to stay up-to-date when new trends or substances start to pop up. As the oldest non-profit substance recovery center in the state, we've seen many trends come and go. Today we're going to look at Tranq Dope, what it is, where it came from, and why it's concerning for the world of substance use.
“Tranq Dope,” also called Tranq, is not a catch-all name for tranquilizer-based drugs. It specifically refers to Xylazine, which is a veterinary-grade medication utilized as a calming agent or full tranquilizer. It is not approved for human consumption. Despite this, it has been on the rise in use in the past few years. In fact, from 2019 to 2022, usage of this drug has increased by almost 300% according to the CDC.
While there aren’t currently any recorded street names beyond Tranq and Tranq Dope, the medication Xylazine does have two other primary names – Rompun and Anased. It is also sometimes labeled as XylaMed.
This veterinary medication usually comes in a liquid form and is taken via injection. So far, it has been most commonly laced with other substances like heroin, meth, and cocaine.
The use of Tranq in the United States is still a fairly recent development. Because of this, the exact statistics of what age groups or ethnicities are using Tranq aren’t readily known.
The DEA, however, has kept a record of the number of cases by region in the United States. From 2020 to 2021, the South saw the biggest increase in Xylazine-related identifications with a 193% increase. The West had the 2nd highest increase with 112%.
Despite the increase in numbers, the numbers aren’t massive, yet. For example, in the West 77 cases were identified in 2020, which increased to 163 in 2021. This is a very small portion of the population, even of the population of those participating in substance use. It is still important to keep track of the increase and raise awareness in order to prevent further damage or loss of life.
While Tranq is sometimes taken intentionally, it is also found mixed with fentanyl and fentanyl-laced substances. It is being utilized to save costs for drug dealers. Some of its side effects can be mistaken for opioids, but it is not an opioid-based substance, and not all of the effects of Xylazine in humans are fully documented, yet.
Let’s talk about how to spot Tranq use in yourself or a friend.
Some of the most common side effects of tranq use include:
More data and information is being discovered regarding the exact effects of Tranq on humans. We have already discussed some of the short-term effects of Xylazine use, but what about those who’ve used it more than once?
There have been many cases of tissue injury as a result of Xylazine injections in humans.This often leads to necrotic, or dead, tissue developing and sometimes results in amputation.
There have also been cases of people experiencing withdrawal from Xylazine. The symptoms have been described as “more severe than heroin or methadone” and can result in sharp chest pains and seizures according to the DEA.
Whether used once or multiple times, there’s also a risk of experiencing an overdose due to Xylazine or a combination of it and other substances.
There is no safe level of substance use. In the case of Tranq, there comes a risk of overdose, especially when it's taken unknowingly or in combination with other substances. When two or more substances are taken at the same time, knowingly or unknowingly, this is known as polysubstance use. Polysubstance use always increases the risk of overdose.
Xylazine acts similarly to a depressant-type drug. It slows the heart and breathing. When taken in high dosages, your heart rate and breathing can slow to a deadly level.
The dangers with Tranq overdoses don’t just stop at their symptoms, however. Currently, Xylazine is not detected on most common drug screenings. Some of the side effects of a Tranq overdose are also closely related to that of an opioid overdose. Because it’s not an opioid, however, drugs like Narcan or Naloxone have no impact on helping with the overdose.
While there are reversal medications already made for Xylazine, these are only approved for use in animals. It is unknown whether they would help a human who is overdosing on Xylazine.
If you know that you or a loved one took Xylazine and one of you experiences an overdose, be open and honest with any medical professionals who may help you. Letting them know as much as you can about the substances in someone’s system can help them work properly to save a life. Due to the Good Samaritan Law, you cannot be prosecuted for seeking help for an overdose, so don’t be afraid to reach out if you need it.
Since Tranq is not approved for human use, it’s not legal to participate in Tranq use.
Seeking recovery, no matter what substance, can seem like an impossible hurdle at times. It is important to know that no matter your history with substance use, whether you’ve attempted recovery before or not, it’s always an option.
With the understanding of how withdrawal from Xylazine can be, it’s important to find a facility that offers medically supervised detoxification. This ensures that you have medical staff nearby to help make sure you’re safe and as comfortable as possible during withdrawal.
Our team here at Serenity Lane is comprised of trained and licensed professionals who are equipped to help you build a strong foundation for your recovery. Our program and staff are both well-respected, and we offer training to professionals around the country. Our passion for recovery extends far beyond our doors.
We want to help you on your healing journey. We have locations throughout Oregon so you can be sure to find one that's near you. With a full continuum of care from detox to inpatient and outpatient options, we’re equipped and ready to support you every step of the way.
If you have any questions about recovery, our substance use disorder treatment options, insurance, or our programs, don’t hesitate to give us a call at (800) 543-9905. Our Serenity Lane team is here and ready to help whenever you want to get started.
What is Xylazine used for?
Xylazine is a veterinary-grade tranquilizer primarily utilized on cattle and other animals.
What is the drug test for Xylazine?
The average drug screening doesn’t detect Xylazine in a human. A doctor would need to know to screen for it ahead of time in order to potentially detect it on a panel.
Is tranq resistant to Narcan?
Yes, Tranq is resistant to Narcan. Narcan is meant to help with opioid overdoses. Because Tranq is not an opioid, it is fully unaffected by Narcan, just like Narcan wouldn’t work to help someone with alcohol poisoning.
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