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Spotting the Signs and Symptoms of Xylazine Use.

Why it Matters!

Recognizing the symptoms of xylazine use is crucial for taking quick action and providing appropriate care. When someone uses Xylazine, there are physical and psychological symptoms to watch out for.

Physically, you may notice profound sedation, excessive drowsiness, slowed breathing, and low blood pressure in individuals who have used Xylazine. These effects can be pretty significant, affecting their overall well-being.

Psychologically, individuals under the influence of Xylazine may display signs of confusion, disorientation, and altered perception. These symptoms can affect their ability to think clearly and may impact their behavior.

Drug counselors and healthcare providers must be vigilant and aware of these signs. If you suspect a client is unknowingly using heroin tainted with Xylazine, it’s essential to help them to seek appropriate medical attention promptly.

Xylazine, or “tranq” or “tranq dope,” is often mixed with other illicit drugs like cocaine, heroin, or fentanyl to enhance their effects or increase their weight. People who use these drugs may not even know that Xylazine is present. It can be injected, swallowed, or sniffed.

In the case of an overdose involving Xylazine, it’s crucial to call 911 and stay with the person until first responders arrive.

Naloxone, a medication that can reverse the effects of opioids, should be given in response to any suspected drug overdose, even though it won’t reverse the effects of Xylazine.

Additional medical treatment is necessary as the effects of Xylazine may continue even after naloxone is administered.

Understanding the symptoms of a possible opioid overdose or an overdose involving opioids and Xylazine is essential.

The Good Samaritan laws in most states protect those experiencing an overdose and those assisting them, ensuring they won’t face arrest or charges.

Rescue breathing can save a person’s life when Facing a xylazine overdose.

First responders have reported that rescue breaths are particularly helpful for individuals who have used Xylazine because it can cause breathing to slow down.

Follow these simple steps to administer rescue breathing:

1. If rescue breaths are necessary, ensure the person’s airway is clear.
2. Place one hand on their chin, tilt their head back, and pinch their nose closed.
3. Make a seal with your mouth over theirs and give two slow breaths, followed by one breath every 5 seconds.
4. Keep a close watch on their chest rising and falling, but not the stomach.

By understanding the importance of immediate care and taking appropriate actions, we can make a significant difference in responding to xylazine use and supporting the well-being of individuals affected by its effects.

Long-Term Xylazine Use: Effects and Withdrawal

While ongoing research is conducted on the long-term effects of xylazine use, it’s already known that it can lead to dependence and addiction.

When individuals try to quit using Xylazine, they may experience withdrawal symptoms, which can be challenging to manage.

Unlike opioids, commonly prescribed medications like methadone and buprenorphine may not effectively alleviate xylazine withdrawal symptoms. Therefore, exploring alternative approaches and conducting further research is crucial to determine the most effective strategies for managing xylazine dependence and withdrawal.

Managing xylazine withdrawal presents unique challenges as there are limited reports on managing individuals using Xylazine chronically. However, a case study involving a 29-year-old female with opioid use disorder and chronic xylazine use provides insights into potential treatment pathways. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit to treat chronic lower extremity wounds resulting from xylazine injection. Her withdrawal symptoms were managed through dexmedetomidine infusion, phenobarbital, and tizanidine.

Later, she transitioned to clonidine, and by the fourth day of hospitalization, she was no longer experiencing withdrawal symptoms. As part of her recovery, the patient’s pain management shifted from full-agonist opioids to buprenorphine using a buprenorphine “micro-induction” method. Ultimately, she was discharged on a treatment regimen consisting of buprenorphine, clonidine, and gabapentin.

This case provides valuable insights into the potential treatment pathway for safe and comfortable xylazine withdrawal in hospitalized patients. It also highlights the medical concerns specific to this patient population, including the occurrence of xylazine-mediated soft tissue wounds.

Medical professionals and researchers must continue studying and developing evidence-based approaches to address the long-term effects and withdrawal from xylazine use effectively.

Expanding our understanding of xylazine dependence and withdrawal management can enhance the care and support available to individuals grappling with these challenges.

Promoting Harm Reduction for Safer Xylazine Use

Ensuring individuals have access to information and resources to minimize the risks associated with xylazine use is crucial for promoting harm reduction. 

Encouraging open communication and providing education about the dangers of xylazine is essential in empowering individuals to make informed decisions. 

It’s important to emphasize the significance of seeking help and engaging in supportive communities for those who use or are considering using xylazine.

Additionally, highlighting the benefits of naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdose, can play a critical role in minimizing harm.

Harm reduction is an evidence-based approach that focuses on engaging with people who use drugs and equipping them with the tools and information they need to make positive changes while reducing potential harm. It is integral to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Overdose Prevention Strategy.

Harm reduction encompasses a range of practical and transformative strategies that prioritize community-driven public health efforts.

These strategies include prevention, risk reduction, and health promotion.

The aim is to empower individuals who use drugs and their families to lead purposeful, healthy, self-directed lives. By centering on the lived experiences of people who use drugs, particularly those in underserved communities, harm reduction strategies and practices can improve physical, mental, and social well-being.

One of the critical aspects of harm reduction is engaging directly with individuals who use drugs to prevent overdose and the transmission of infectious diseases.

It also focuses on improving access to healthcare services, including substance use disorder treatment and mental health support.

By offering low-barrier options for accessing these services, harm reduction ensures that individuals can receive the help they need without unnecessary obstacles.

Harm Reduction Strategies to Reduce Risk from

In the context of xylazine use, harm reduction strategies become even more crucial.

Illicit drug supplies, including stimulants and counterfeit prescription pills, have been contaminated with highly potent synthetic opioids, such as fentanyl, and animal tranquilizers like xylazine.

This has contributed to the ongoing substance use and overdose epidemic in the United States.

Some ways substance use counselors can help their clients receive harm reduction services include: 

• Connecting your clients with organizations that can reach individuals who may not be ready to seek behavioral healthcare services.
• Offering naloxone, which can reverse an opioid overdose, becomes a critical intervention in saving lives and connecting individuals to the necessary support and treatment services.
• Integrating harm reduction services with drug treatment options, such as medications for opioid use disorder, helps address the significant treatment gap and allows people to make positive changes in their lives.

Harm reduction services are vital in preventing drug-related deaths, reducing the transmission of infectious diseases related to drug use, and improving access to healthcare and social services.

By making these services available and accessible, harm reduction organizations emphasize the importance of compassion and humility in their interactions with drug users.

Through harm reduction efforts, overdose fatalities, life-threatening infections, and chronic diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C can be significantly reduced.

To ensure the widespread availability of naloxone, overdose education and naloxone delivery (OEND) programs should be implemented, focusing on syringe services programs.

These programs have effectively reduced death rates and improved naloxone access for individuals who use drugs.

In summary, harm reduction is crucial to minimize the harms associated with xylazine use. By providing education, naloxone, and supportive services, harm reduction strategies can empower individuals, save lives, and contribute to positive change in communities.

Support and Resources for Drug Counselors Assisting Clients Affected by Xylazine Use

Fortunately, various support and resources are available to help you and your clients navigate the challenges of substance misuse.

Helplines and support groups are valuable sources that can provide guidance, assistance, and a network of individuals who understand the unique struggles associated with xylazine use.

Connecting your clients with credible organizations and websites that offer comprehensive information and access to necessary resources is essential.

Some of the resources available online include:

1. TRANQ AKA XYLAZINE: A FIELD GUIDE FOR SUPPORTING PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS 

2. WOUND CARE 1O1 

3. Tranq aka xylazine part 2

4.  Rescue Breathing & Overdose Reversals

5. Xylazine Fact Sheet

6. Xylazine: What Clinicians Need to Know 

By implementing these best practices and utilizing the available resources, you can effectively support your clients in their journey toward recovery and wellness. 

Wrapping it up

Xylazine misuse poses significant dangers and risks to individuals. Understanding the potential harms, recognizing the symptoms of xylazine use, and providing care and support are crucial in addressing this growing issue.

As a drug counselor, it’s essential to be aware of the risks and effects of xylazine use and be prepared to work with clients who may be using it. Here are some best practices to consider:

1. Screen for Xylazine Use:

During the intake process, ask clients about their drug use history, including their use of xylazine. Be prepared to provide information about its effects and risks, as clients may not be familiar with this substance.

2. Provide Harm Reduction Education:

Educate clients about harm reduction strategies to minimize the risks associated with xylazine use. This may include informing them about the dangers of combining xylazine with opioids and emphasizing the importance of using drugs in a safe and controlled environment with someone available to assist in case of an overdose.

3. Encourage Regular Check-Ins:

Regular check-ins with clients using xylazine can help identify changes in their drug use patterns, monitor their well-being, and offer ongoing support.

By promoting education, prevention, and the availability of resources, we can help individuals affected by xylazine find the support they need to overcome their challenges and lead healthier lives.

Remember, your empathy, understanding, and commitment to their well-being are critical to their success.

Put your professional development and counselor wellness first with Educational Enhancement CASAC Online’s 7-Hour Harm Reduction Renewal Training.

This OASAS and NAADAC-approved Harm Reduction training provides an in-depth understanding of how to work with people who use drugs through a harm reduction lens. 

Addiction counselors will learn to listen without judgment, create space for honest dialogue, and develop trust and openness. With that foundation established, you’ll learn practical strategies to support people who use drugs. 

Knowledge of harm reduction strategies that promote open and non-judgmental communication when engaging people with use disorders.

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