Because of those dramatic physical side effects of the drug, and the dangers of addiction in general, people using krokodil should consider seeking treatment and rehab for their substance use disorder.
Krokodil (the Russian word for crocodile) is the street name for the synthetic opiate desomorphine, which is a schedule I controlled substance classified by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). That classification means that the drug has a high potential for abuse and no recognized medical value.
Krokodil is infamous for being a cheaper alternative to heroin and leaving dry, scaly marks on the skin after use. The chemicals used to produce krokodil: iodine and phosphorous are often not removed from the final product. Injecting compounds containing these elements causes injection-site damage to the skin, muscle, blood vessels and bone. The effects of the drug and the risks of injectable drugs overall make tissue damage and amputation a likely result of using the drug. A person using krokodil can also develop large, dry and scaly patches of dead skin all over their body — hence the name, krokodil.
Because of those dramatic physical side effects of the drug, and the dangers of addiction in general, people using krokodil should consider seeking treatment and rehab for their substance use disorder.
How is Krokodil Addiction Treated?
Since krokodil is a synthetic opioid, treatment for krokodil addiction is very similar to how other opioid addictions are treated. The opioid epidemic raised awareness for the need for opioid treatment facilities, so an individual living with a substance use disorder can easily seek out professional treatment through a treatment facility like The Recovery Village.
Patients seeking treatment at a facility will have to detox from substances and face withdrawal symptoms before they can begin to address their addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders through therapy. By seeking help at a professional treatment facility, people can experience withdrawal symptoms in a safe and supportive environment, greatly reducing the chance that they experience a setback in their sobriety.
Because krokodil causes dramatic physical damage to individuals who use it, inpatient treatment and rehab may work best for addressing krokodil addiction.
Inpatient Rehab for Krokodil Addiction
Inpatient rehab is a readily available option and may be necessary for many individuals who use krokodil. The medical issues associated with krokodil use mean that primary care staff may need to be available for wound care. The tissue damage caused by krokodil is often profound, with visible scarring and the loss of skin even after injecting the drug only one time. Patients may require hospitalization before they are cleared for inpatient rehab.
Inpatient rehab usually involves multiple treatment methods like medication, talk therapy, and group therapy. Medication may involve drugs for nausea, vomiting, tremors, cravings, sweating, seizures, diarrhea, body aches and hallucinations.
Once the acute withdrawal phase is over, psychiatric and therapeutic care begins. Rehab may involve talk or group therapy, depending on the needs of the patient.
How Long Is Krokodil Rehab?
Rehab for krokodil may be longer than other drugs because of the complex medical issues the drug causes. However, after these medical issues stabilize, krokodil rehab can vary from a month to several months, just like other opioids. The length of rehab depends on how the person responds to treatment.
Ongoing Recovery for Krokodil Addiction
For ongoing recovery, a long-term group therapy like Narcotics Anonymous is recommended. Long-term therapy depends on several factors: a strong social support system, follow-up medical and psychiatric care, and positive opportunities like new employment or hobbies. Maintaining good social and medical support can be achieved through a variety of ways and each person experiences success differently.
How to Find the Right Rehab for Krokodil Addiction
- Visit the following websites to learn about The Recovery Village’s network of rehabilitation facilities. Call today for admissions. Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their Ambien addiction and uncover the root causes for their substance use disorder.
- Orlando Recovery Center: A premier rehabilitation facility in Orlando, Florida that helps individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders. The center also offers the opportunity to treat co-occurring disorders.
- The Recovery Village Columbus: Located in Ohio, this facility provides inpatient, outpatient and aftercare treatment for people looking to begin detox. The center provides individualized plans to help patients through recovery while addressing their unique co-occurring disorders or any setbacks that may happen during recovery.
- The Recovery Village Palmer Lake: In Colorado, this facility offers inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals looking to kick-start their journey to recovery.
- The Recovery Village Ridgefield: Located right in southern Washington, this facility provides patients with outpatient and aftercare programs. Just 20 minutes outside of Portland, this facility assists individuals who are ready to begin treatment.
- The Recovery Village: In Umatilla, Florida, this is a rehabilitation facility that provides resources for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment. There are inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment programs available for those suffering from Ambien addiction.
- IAFF Center of Excellence: Specializes in assisting firefighters who struggle with behavioral health problems and addiction. Members can enter the recovery process sooner so they can return back to work as quickly as possible. Inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are all available at this facility, where patients can address their Ambien addiction in a safe, supportive environment.
- Denver Mental Health & Counseling: Denver Mental Health and Counseling by The Recovery Village is a physician-led outpatient center specializing in evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, offering services such as TMS, IOP, and personalized care for both ongoing and new patients, dedicated to fostering long-term recovery and overall well-being.
- The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is a premier physician-led treatment center in South Florida, offering a comprehensive spectrum of services from medical detox to outpatient programs for alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, with a commitment to rejuvenating lives, families, and communities, and facilitating same-day admissions.
- The Recovery Village Atlanta: Located in Roswell just outside downtown Atlanta, is a 62-bed physician-led treatment facility offering a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox to outpatient care, specializing in alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, dedicated to transforming lives, families, and communities throughout Georgia.
- The Recovery Village Kansas City: The Recovery Village Kansas City, an 80-bed facility in Raytown just 10 miles from downtown, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions, overseen by physician leaders, and is dedicated to revitalizing lives, families, and communities throughout the Midwest.
- The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health: The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, situated just 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is a leading rehab facility in South Jersey providing comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, ranging from medical detox to teletherapy, with a dedicated team committed to guiding adults on their path to lifelong recovery.
If you or a loved one use krokodil, or any other substance, consider seeking treatment at The Recovery Village. Contact a representative at The Recovery Village today to learn how substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders are treated in a safe and professional environment. Drugs like krokodil are dangerous. Don’t delay seeking treatment. Begin your healthier future today.
Drug Enforcement Administration. “Desomorphine.” October, 2013. Accessed April 9, 2019.
Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services. “Krokodil.” February 2012. Accessed April 17, 2019.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.