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Tranq — The Zombie Drug

New drug on the rise. Fentanyl and xylazine mixed together known as Tranq

Photo by Colin Davis on Unsplash

A decades-old drug developed exclusively for animals is posing a threat to Florida and beyond. Xylazine (tranq or tranq dope) is a medication that has attracted the attention of law enforcement officials and health officials due to its use in conjunction with fentanyl. This blog will answer the question, “What is Tranq?” and share the most significant risks of using it. We’ll also give you some guidance if someone you know appears to be abusing it.

“Tranq”, a street term for Xylazine is a liquid pain reliever and sedative used in veterinary medicine. People are mixing it with other drugs to abuse it, such as adding it to heroin or fentanyl. Combining tranq with fentanyl can delay withdrawal symptoms and cravings twice as long as just fentanyl. It’s important to seek treatment for anyone who you suspect is using this tranquilizer in combination with other drugs. Hanley Center can support both men and women who abuse substances and tranq, by providing gender-specific treatment and creating individualized treatment plans.

What is Tranq ?

Tranq (formally Xylazine) is a sedative used to relieve pain in animals. It has a calming affect on animals and causes muscle relaxation. It also relieves pain. In the illegal use of tranq its liquid solution is dried and mixed with other powders or added to pills. It can be used to reduce anxiety, induce relaxation, and ease muscle tension. Tranq is a rapid-onset tranquilizer that can be effective in minutes. Its effects can last for up to 8 hours, depending on the amount consumed and whether it’s used with another drug. When mixed with fentanyl tranq can prolong the effects of this opioid, and delay cravings and withdrawals symptoms twice as long.

Tranq Signs and Symptoms

Tranq, a centrally nervous system depressant, can cause sleepiness, memory impairment, slower breathing, a decreased heart rate and dangerously low levels of blood pressure. Combined with other centrally nervous system depressants or at very high doses, tranq may cause loss of physical feeling, loss of consciousness and intensification of other medication effects, complicating the presentation of an overdose.

Tranq Dangers

There are significant risks. Tranq use can cause skin and soft tissues lesions including ulcers. These wounds are atypically located on the legs, and they can be far from the injection site. Tranq is a drug that can cause unconsciousness if used in higher dosages. Patients who take fentanyl and tranq together may experience a semi-awake feeling, but then wake up hours later. Accidents or assaults can be more dangerous if you are unconscious. Tranq has sedative properties that increase the risk of an overdose. Because tranq does not contain opioids, the naloxone that is used to treat opioid overdoses will not reverse symptoms of tranq.

Tranq Help

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if tranq is suddenly stopped. The withdrawal symptoms can vary depending on the factors like frequency, length, type of drug used, and overall health. These symptoms are similar to those of withdrawal from other substances that affect the central nervous systems, including agitation, restlessness, anxiety, muscle tension, spasms and more. Help is available to those who have abused tranq with other drugs. Hanley Center offers a medically managed detox to help you start your journey towards recovery. After detox, a customized program with evidence-based intervention meets the needs of each patient. Gender-specific care also allows women or men the opportunity to achieve their recovery goals in a peer group.

Drug Abuse
Tranq
Fentanyl
Xylazine
Health
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