‘Krokodil’ is a new drug on the illicit market, homemade from codeine pills and a variety of household chemicals: iodine, gasoline, paint thinner or alcohol. In Russia, it has been known as a killer drug for several years. But it is suspected of just having made its first appearance in Arizona. The chemical name of this drug is desomorphine, an opiate like heroin. In Russia, codeine headache pills are sold over the counter. Drug users buy these pills and then cook up the desomorphine in their kitchens. The resulting drug, many times less expensive than heroin, is then injected.

The effects are unlike anything else on the market. Reports are that krokodil users’ flesh simply rots right off their bones. The nerves are dead so there is no feeling in these body parts so a person can have a gangrenous, rotting arm or leg without its manifesting any pain. There is brain damage and teeth and jawbones disintegrate. Livers and kidneys become inflamed and won’t heal. Abscesses appear at injection sites. The nickname comes from the fact that some users’ skin becomes green and scaly. The life expectancy of a krokodil addict in Russia is reported to be about two years. Avoiding use of krokodil is far better than having to withdraw and recover from the addiction. Withdrawal from this drug is worse than withdrawal from heroin and is said to last longer. Even when a person sees his body starting to rot away, the intense cravings drive him to use more of the drug. Even a single use can trigger cravings that entrap a person.

Seabrook is committed to providing exceptional addiction treatment through the healing of the body, mind and spirit. We encourage all patients to restore their lives by embracing a way of life based upon the 12 Step Principles of Recovery.