Crocodile

By Kimberly Yew and Susan Huynh

Drug Names
Chemical name: Desomorphine
Referred to in Switzerland under brand name, Permonid

Chemical formula: C17H21NO2 Common name: Crocodile

Street names: Krokodil, Crocodil, The Rotting, Rot, Crok, & Krok

Medical Uses
It has no accepted medical use in the U.S.
However, it was used in Switzerland as a substitute for morphine. It is 5-10 times more potent than morphine and its effects occur quickly. Crocodile could be used to relieve pain in cancer patients.

Psychological Dependencies
1st stage
Anxiety Stress Depression Lack of confidence

2nd stage

The users mind finds ways to deny or rationalize his or her addiction because the urge to use it is so strong. The user often underestimates the dosage. Cravings become more important than family, friends, career, health, & happiness

3rd stage

Psychological Dependencies cont

4th stage
Excessive fear, anxiety, or paranoia for no reason

5th stage
Changes in personality or attitude Mood swings Lack of motivation

6th stage
Users abandon activities that they used to enjoy.

Physical Dependencies
Marked sleepiness

Bloodshot eyes
Pupils are larger or smaller than usual Changes in appetite or sleep patterns Sudden weight loss or weight gain Deterioration of appearance and hygiene habits

Unusual smells in breath, on body, and on clothing

Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination

Methods of Administration
Injected into veins

May be taken orally

Methods of Detection
It cannot be detected because its components break down too quickly in the body.

Pharmacy Prices / Street Prices

Street price: about $8-10 per batch

Crocodile is not sold in pharmacies, but codeine pills one of the main ingredients of the drug is sold for about $10-15 for 30 tablets.

Duration of Substance
Unknown
Because Crocodile metabolizes extremely quickly, it is never detected.

False Positives
There are none.

Penalties for Misuse Prison Times

Non-violent First Offense
Maximum 20 years

Second Offense
Maximum 30 years

Violent First Offense Minimum 20 years Second Offense Life imprisonment

Penalties for Misuse Fines

Individual First Offense $1,000,000 Second Offense $2,000,000

Individual
First Offense $5,000,000 Second Offense $10,000,000

Short-term Symptoms and Effects

Duration of high: about 90 minutes Euphoria Sedation Relief of pain Drowsiness Constipation Nausea Vomiting Itching Urinary retention Decreased libido Respiratory depression Headaches Constriction of the pupils Flushing Pins-and-needles Pain Seizures Allergic reactions

Symptoms of Overdose
The only symptoms of overdose is death, which usually takes place within two or three years after the first injection, and scaly, green patches of skin.

Long-term Symptoms and Effects

Physical and psychological dependencies Skin discoloration Destruction of skin, blood vessels, muscles, and bone Thyroid and muscle damage Cartilage damage Abscesses thrombophlebitis Death of soft tissues Rotting of gums and teeth Blood stream infections Destruction of the heart valves Gangrene Brain damage Deformation of the jaw bone

Withdrawal Effects
Insomnia

Seizures
Aches & overall sickness Depression Nausea Diarrhea

Extreme muscle cramping

Interactions with Other Legal / Illegal Substances

It is not usually taken with any other drugs since the high lasts for 90 minutes. It takes an hour to make a batch of Crocodile, which keeps the users busy 24 hours a day.

Rehabilitation
rapid detoxification

Regular detoxification
Medication Therapy sessions

Demographic
Widely used in Russia

Also used in Siberia, the UK, Ukraine, France, the Czech Republic, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Norway, and the U.S.
Commonly used by heroin users who couldnt afford heroin anymore

Brace yourselves.

Photos and Graphics

Interesting Facts
Crocodile is usually mistaken for heroin. This confusion occurred because of how the drug was first introduced in the U.S. Crocodile consists of codeine, gasoline, iodine, red phosphorous, paint thinner, and hydrochloric acid. The U.S. created Crocodile in 1932 under the name of Desomorphine because they wanted to create a different type of pain reliever. Even though it didnt have the lethal effects that it does today, it was not widely used.

Bibliography
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addic tion_signs_effects_treatment.htm http://www.oasas.ny.gov/admed/fyi/krokodil.cfm http://controlled-substances.findthedata.org/l/70/Desomorphine

http://toxnet.nlm.nih.gov/cgibin/sis/search/a?dbs+hsdb:@term+@DOCNO+8070
http://www.solutions-recovery.com/drug-guide/krokodilguide.html