American Society of Addiction Medicine

This Week in Addiction Medicine from ASAM

American Society of Addiction Medicine

  • Lead: Xylazine Adulteration of the Heroin–Fentanyl Drug Supply

Lead: Xylazine Adulteration of the Heroin–Fentanyl Drug Supply

Tuesday 24th October 2023

Uncover the dangers of xylazine in heroin-fentanyl supplies and its impact on addiction treatment in this must-listen episode.
6 minutes
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This Week in Addiction Medicine from ASAM
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American Society of Addiction Medicine
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Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Navigating Alcohol Dependency
Family Recovery from Addiction
Nutritional Pathways to Recovery
Navigating Intimate Relationships
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Xylazine's Hidden Dangers: A Deep Dive into Heroin-Fentanyl Adulteration

Episode Overview

  • Xylazine's increasing prevalence in the heroin-fentanyl drug supply and its impact on patients with fentanyl overdose and withdrawal are thoroughly explored
  • The episode discusses cannabis-attributable hospitalizations following non-medical cannabis legalization and the alarming rise in opioid-related deaths among people experiencing homelessness
  • Insights on genetic associations with substance use in people with HIV and the use of LSD by individuals with major depression are provided
  • The prescription of naloxone among patients with a substance use disorder and a positive fentanyl urine drug screen is addressed, along with the low-label trial of lufaxidine-assisted non-opioid induction onto naltrexone
  • The consequences of adolescent drug use and the need for further research in this area are also highlighted
Since 2016, xylazine has appeared in the illicitly manufactured fentanyl supply and has increased in prevalence, due to its low cost, easy availability, and presumed synergistic psychoactive effect. Xylazine may alter the findings and management of patients with fentanyl overdose and withdrawal.
Ever heard of xylazine? If not, it's time to pay attention. This episode of 'Addiction Medicine Unpacked' dives into the troubling rise of xylazine in the heroin-fentanyl drug supply. Since 2016, this cheap and easily accessible drug has been making its way into street drugs, posing new challenges for both users and healthcare providers. You'll learn how xylazine complicates fentanyl overdoses and withdrawals, and why it’s causing more people to leave treatment prematurely.
Plus, the discussion touches on the nasty wounds xylazine can cause, preventing users from getting the help they need. But that's not all. The episode also sheds light on cannabis-related hospitalizations post-legalization, opioid overdose deaths among the homeless, and the genetic ties to substance use in people living with HIV. It doesn't stop there—LSD use for major depression, naloxone prescriptions for those with positive fentanyl screens, and new methods for non-opioid induction onto naltrexone are all on the table.
And if you're concerned about adolescent drug use, you'll find insights on that too. Whether you're a healthcare professional or someone affected by addiction, this episode offers a wealth of information that's both eye-opening and crucial.