Krokodil Drug
Krokodil (desomorphine) is a synthetic drug similar to heroin or morphine. It is made by mixing codeine with various chemicals and solvents such as gasoline, paint thinner, and hydrochloric acid. As a highly toxic liquid, Krokodil is injected, causing severe tissue damage and scaly, greenish-black skin resembling a crocodile. Hence the name “Krokodil.”
What Is Krokodil Drug?
The narcotic krokodil drug is a semi-synthetic drug used as a cheap alternative to heroin. It is commonly used over the territory of the former USSR (Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, and others). [1]
Unfortunately, relatively little is understood about the physical effects of krokodil. “Krokodil” has recently been featured in news reports alleging its presence in parts of the United States [2]. The Krokodil drug gets its name from the scaly, gray-green dead skin that appears at the injection site.
The flesh damaged by krokodil becomes gangrenous, and, in some cases, limb amputation has been required to save a user’s life. Krokodil is a Schedule I substance in the U.S., indicating high abuse potential and no accepted medicinal use.
Devastating Krokodil Drug Effects
Krokodil, also known as desomorphine, is reported to have intense, short-term pain-relieving effects similar to heroin. However, Krokodil is reported to be much more potent than traditional opiates and is also associated with severe physical and psychological side effects. Severe Krokodil Drug effects include:
- Skin Rotting: The drug causes severe tissue damage and skin rotting, leading to tissue and bone infections, abscesses, and gangrene. This effect has led to the drug’s nickname, “Flesh-eating drug.”
- Organ Damage: Krokodil can damage internal organs such as the kidneys, liver, and heart, as well as cause problems in the nervous system, including strokes, seizures, and other brain-related conditions.
- Mental Health Issues: Krokodil is associated with several psychological side effects, including depression, anxiety, and confusion. Users may also experience psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusions.
- Nerve damage: Krokodil can cause severe nerve damage, leading to chronic pain, seizures, and stroke.
- Addiction and Withdrawal: Like other opioids, Krokodil is highly addictive and is associated with severe withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms of Krokodil include nausea, vomiting, tremors, muscle pain, and anxiety.
- Infectious Diseases: Krokodil use can increase the risk of infectious diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis C, and other infectious diseases due to dirty needles or other drug paraphernalia.
Krokodil drug’s effects are associated with significant medical and social withdrawal, which is why the drug banned in most parts of the world. Krokodil drug abuse is dangerous. Seeking help from a qualified health professional is the best way to overcome Krokodil addiction and prevent potential side effects from Krokodil abuse.
Krokodil Drug Pictures
Krokodil drug pictures and images show the horrific damage that Krokodil can cause to the skin and underlying tissue. The drug causes the skin to become scaly, thick, discolored, and bumpy, resulting in a reptilian appearance, hence its nickname, the “Flesh-eating drug.” The skin damage is often irreversible, requiring surgery or amputation, which can be physically and mentally traumatic to the user.

Krokodil Drug Pictures Gallery

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Krokodil Drug Effects Warnings
Krokodil is a highly toxic, corrosive, and destructive drug with severe consequences for users’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Seeking prompt medical attention for users at risk of using this drug is crucial. Proper treatment and support will help them overcome their addiction and lead a healthy, fulfilling life.
Desomorphine (dihydrodesoxymorphine) is an injectable opioid derivative of codeine. On the street and online, the drug is known as:
- Krokodil or Krokodile drug
- Crocodile
- Croc
- Krok or the drug Krokodil
- Russian Magic
- Poor Man’s Heroin

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Hotline (877) 378-4154Harmful Effects Of Krokodil Drug
Desomorphine is about ten times more potent than morphine and more potent than heroin in its pure form.
The drug’s onset is quick, but its action is short, leading to numerous administrations and a heightened risk of developing physical dependence.
Krokodil is engaging to those endeavoring a euphoric high because it is cheap, nearly easy to make or obtain, produces a high similar to that of heroin, and delivers powerful sedative and pain-relieving effects in the user. In addition, krokodil has a swift onset of about 2-3 minutes and lasts about 2 hours.
The drug, while cheap, produces a relatively short high, and various media sources have covered stories about addicted individuals who need to regularly administer the medication to maintain their high and avoid withdrawal. [3]
Users are stated to be able to make krokodil in roughly 45 minutes with codeine and minimal tools. Users attempting to create desomorphine often combine toxic ingredients like hydrochloric acid, household cleaners, and gasoline with codeine. They may also seldom add cigarette ash to balance the pH.
Krokodil Drug’s Effects Can Be Drastic. Injection Of The Drug Can Cause:
- Skin Infections
- Soft-Tissue Infections
- Thrombophlebitis: Inflammation of the veins
- Skin Ulceration
- Gangrene
- Necrosis: Death of living tissue
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FREE Addiction Hotline – Call 24/7Krokodil Drug Facts
Also Known As Desomorphine
What is Krokodil? Krokodil is a highly dangerous and illegal drug, and its use can lead to severe and potentially irreversible damage to the body and mind. The drug often causes rapid deterioration of the user’s physical health, with severe and painful side effects. The drug is highly addictive, and the withdrawal symptoms associated with the drug are often severe.
How is Krokodil Made?
What is Krokodil made of? Krokodil is made from codeine, lighter fluid, iodine, red phosphorus, hydrochloric acid, and other household chemicals. The drug got its name because of the greenish-black scale-like appearance of the user’s skin once the tissue starts to die off. The drug is often made and sold on the black market by unlicensed and unregulated people, making it extremely difficult to know the composition or potency of the substance.
Krokodil drug ingredients
Krokodil is a synthetic drug created by mixing codeine with other household chemicals. While the precise composition of Krokodil can vary, it typically contains a mix of the following ingredients:
- Codeine: codeine is an opioid pain medication that is originally derived from morphine.
- Hydrochloric acid is a highly corrosive and volatile chemical used in industrial cleaning agents.
- Iodine: Iodine is a substance commonly used in antiseptics or disinfectants.
- Red phosphorus is a highly combustible and reactive substance often used in producing matches, fireworks, and other pyrotechnics.
- Lighter fluid: this can contain several other chemicals, including butane, propane, and other flammable substances.
Manufacturing Krokodil usually involves mixing all these ingredients in a cooker-like apparatus, using a heat source for cooking down the mixture, and then extracting the final product. This manufacturing process is highly dangerous and can often lead to severe chemical burns or infections among its users.
Krokodil is an illegal drug, and its use is highly discouraged. The mixture of chemicals used to create Krokodil is highly corrosive and toxic. Its use can lead to severe side effects, including skin and tissue damage, internal organ damage, and the development of various mental health conditions. If you or anyone you know is struggling with Krokodil drug addiction, seeking professional help and support as soon as possible is essential to minimize the potential harm caused by drug abuse.
Krokodil Availability
Due to its many harmful effects, most countries outlaw the use or sale of Krokodil. Additionally, it is important to learn from this experience and take preventative measures such as education, awareness, and addiction treatment. By prioritizing prevention, intervention, and treatment support for individuals struggling with drug addiction, we can help minimize the harm caused by Krokodil and other dangerous substances worldwide.
Krokodil Dangers
Krokodil is a highly dangerous drug, causing severe health consequences and long-term effects. It is essential to note that Krokodil is illegal and should never be taken, as the drug can cause immediate severe physical and psychological harm. Anyone addicted to opioids, heroin, or codeine should seek help and support from a qualified health professional and participate in addiction treatment programs to minimize harm, improve health outcomes, and improve quality of life.CopyMoreReset
Krokodil Side Effects
Krokodil is a synthetic drug that can cause severe and potentially irreversible bodily and cognitive damage. The drug has numerous side effects, some of which can be life-threatening. Here are some common side effects of Krokodil:
- Skin and Tissue damage: One of Krokodil’s most notable and alarming side effects is skin and tissue damage. The drug destroys the skin and underlying tissue, leading to flesh eating and gangrene. This damage can be irreversible and cause permanent scarring.
- Organ damage: Krokodil can cause significant damage to internal organs such as the kidneys, liver, and heart, which can be life-threatening.
- Mental health issues: Krokodil use can also lead to the development of various psychological and psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, and psychosis.
- Nerve damage: Krokodil can cause severe nerve damage, leading to chronic pain, seizures, and stroke.
- Addiction: Krokodil is a highly addictive drug, and users can develop an addiction quickly.
- Withdrawal: Withdrawal symptoms from Krokodil can be severe and sometimes fatal. Krokodil withdrawal symptoms can include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, and anxiety.
Using Krokodil is illegal and very dangerous. Anyone who has used the drug and is experiencing side effects should seek medical help immediately. Treatment for Krokodil addiction and its associated side effects should only be undertaken by trained medical professionals.
Desomorphine Krokodil Origins
The drug is named after its effects, which cause skin to become green, scaly and bumpy, resembling a crocodile. It is also known as Desomorphine in the pharmaceutical name. The drug gained notoriety in Russia in the early 2000s and quickly spread to other regions worldwide.
Krokodil High
When abused, Krokodil produces an intense, short-lived high similar to heroin. However, the drug is much more potent and more destructive to the body due to the chemical ingredients used to manufacture it. The drug destroys tissues and can cause severe internal organ damage, leading to life-threatening conditions.
Krokodil Legal Status
The production and use of Krokodil is illegal in most countries and is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance in many legislations. Due to its harmful and toxic nature, any exposure to Krokodil should be viewed as a medical emergency, and immediate medical attention should be sought to prevent dangerous health consequences.
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Krokodil Drug Dangers
There are several reasons why Krokodil is so dangerous. First, the chemicals used to make it are highly toxic and corrosive, causing severe tissue damage and necrosis. Second, the drug is often contaminated with other toxic chemicals, making it even more dangerous. Finally, Krokodil is highly addictive, and users often cannot stop using the drug despite the severe physical harm it causes.
Krokodil is a significant public health concern, and anyone who has used this drug should seek medical attention immediately.
Krokodil Overdose Risks
The risk of overdosing on krokodil is also very high. The lethal dose of krokodil is much lower than that of other opiates. In contrast, frequent drug use at high doses can cause heart failure, brain damage, and even death. Overdose symptoms include trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, seizures, and hallucinations.
Krokodil Addiction
Krokodil drug active ingredient, desomorphine, is a highly dangerous, addictive, and destructive drug used mainly in Russia and Eastern Europe.
It is sold on the black market as a cheap alternative to heroin. The drug is typically injected, often causing abscesses, gangrene, and other life-threatening health problems.
Krokodil Addiction Treatment
Treatment for Krokodil addiction typically involves a combination of medication, counseling, and support services to help individuals quit using the drug and recover their physical and mental health.
When treating Krokodil addiction, it is necessary to address the underlying causes and any other co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression or anxiety. Treatment for Krokodil addiction usually starts with detoxification to safely eliminate the drug from the body. This process is crucial in managing withdrawal symptoms during drug cessation.
After detoxification, the patient often receives medication-assisted treatment to help them manage their addiction and cravings. Behavioral therapies, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), are another common method of Krokodil addiction treatment. These therapies seek to help the patient develop healthier coping and life skills, relapse prevention strategies and improve their overall well-being, mental health, and quality of life.
Krokodil Drug As A Zombie Drug
Krokodil has been called a “zombie drug” by the media. This is because most descriptions of drug use by the media have shown addicted individuals with gangrene or eschars (dead patches of skin) on their bodies.

You may question why anyone would use such a deadly drug with many hideous side effects. But, unfortunately, from a drug addict’s point of view, things are not so simple. There are already over a million krokodil users in Russia. People use krokodil because it gives the same effects as heroin yet costs around a tenth of the price (4). So for an addict who could find that money is one of the most significant obstacles to their drug habit, krokodil seems like the perfect option.
The other thing to acknowledge is that addiction is a disease itself. Users who are affected by a substance slowly build up a tolerance to its effects. This means they need to take larger and larger doses to accomplish the same buzz. Unfortunately, this often leads people from less severe drugs to more hazardous substances such as cocaine and heroin. For instance, a heroin user who builds up a tolerance can turn to Krokodil, three times more powerful than heroin.
Treating Krokodil Drug Users
Because of the severity of the side effects, krokodil symptoms can be challenging to treat. Medication may be needed to combat infections or gangrene caused by the user’s open wounds and exposed flesh. In addition, badly affected limbs may need to be amputated.
Once a user has knocked out their krokodil addiction, a severe feat that needs specialist Krokodil addiction treatment – they may need surgery to repair their body. For instance, exposed bones, open muscles, and missing skin may need surgery to improve and heal, along with skin grafts to cover the afflicted areas.
Popular Krokodil Drug Effects FAQs
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What are krokodil drug ingredients?
Krokodil combines codeine, lighter fluid, iodine, red phosphorus, hydrochloric acid, and other household chemicals. The drug got its name because of the greenish-black scale-like appearance of the user’s skin once the tissue starts to die off. The drug is often made and sold on the black market by unlicensed and unregulated people, making it extremely difficult to know the composition or potency of the substance.
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What are krokodil drugs side effects?
Krokodil is a synthetic drug that can cause severe and potentially irreversible bodily and mental damage. The drug has numerous side effects, some of which can be life-threatening. Krokodil drug side effects
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What is the drug krokodil?
Krokodil is a synthetic drug chemically similar to morphine, heroin, and other opioids. The drug combines codeine and other toxic and corrosive chemicals, such as hydrochloric acid, iodine, and red phosphorus. Unlicensed and unregulated people often make and sell the drug on the black market.
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Detoxifying Your Body From Krokodil Drug At We Level Up New Jersey
If you are addicted to drugs such as krokodil, your first step in recovery should be medical detox in a safe and medically supervised setting. That is why We Level Up is here for you. We Level Up NJ Detox center medically assist clients in clearing their systems of addictive substances, such as krokodil drugs.
For anyone who suffers from addiction, we know that just the thought of having to stop using can cause severe mental distress. The medical detox center will help you manage the medical detox process. In addition, a comprehensive team prescribing medications can alleviate your withdrawal pains while monitoring your health 24 hours. Thus, assuring both your safety and comfort.
Once detox is complete, a new doorway in treatment opens up, referred to as a residential level of care. Here, our residential care program slowly and effectively introduces the individual into an atmosphere of therapeutic growth, marked by Master’s level therapists, clinicians, group counselors, psychiatrists, and a community of like-minded individuals with the same aim: to attain sobriety and live a great life.

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Some of the many modalities applied and practiced within our residential treatment facility are:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- 12-Step Groups
- Group Therapy
- Biofeedback
- Alumni Support
- Stabilization
- Holistic Therapy
Moreover, here at We Level Up NJ Addiction Treatment, the needs of each patient are specific and personalized, as we aim to provide comprehensive support for mental health, addiction, and dual diagnosis treatment.
Clients in our residential therapy programs will live comfortably within the facility during this crucial and fragile time. Indeed, this supportive environment is designed to give clients 24-hour care for sobriety, removing temptations for relapse and applying an air of recovery into every component of the treatment timeline, including krokodil drug addiction treatment. At We Level Up NJ, we find that clients living in a supportive community, especially during their early recovery process, can truly focus on what matters most: their recovery.
Call today to speak with one of our treatment specialists if you have trouble with Krokodil drug addiction. Our counselors know what you are going through and will answer any of your questions.
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Sources:
[1] “Krokodil” drug – Related osteonecrosis of midface: A case series – National Center for Biotechnology Information
[2] “Krokodil” – National Institute on Drug Abuse
[3] Krokodil Drug Addiction – We Level Up – Krokodil Drug Trend – We Level Up FL