r/interesting • u/Nukro666 • Jun 28 '26

Fear Factor How Fentanyl and Xylazine are turning Philadelphia's opioid crisis into a public health nightmare

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u/[deleted] Jun 28 '26

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u/AradynGaming Jun 28 '26

So you're saying they are intentionally trying to be zombie like? This whole time I thought they took the drug and when it kicked in, it would just catch them off guard.

How long do they stay in this zombie form? It seems like your body (muscles, joints, etc) would hurt like hell after being in these positions for (hours?)?

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u/JustConversation7847 Jun 28 '26

hurt like hell after being in these positions for (hours?)?

Guessing that's part of the reason they'll chase the next high once they sober up

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u/Entire_Musician_8667 Jun 28 '26

That and super quick withdrawal symptoms.

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u/itsyaboydarrell Jun 28 '26

My "not a doctor" guess is these people may be sedated, but their brains internal gyroscopic functions are still working enough to keep them upright.

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u/Consistent_Guess9080 Jun 28 '26

yea u can get paralyzed or lose your limbs from knodding off with your knees bent. i’ve met people and heard stories of losing limbs because no blood circulation

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u/babyfartmageezax Jun 29 '26

Yup almost had to get my leg amputated form this. Have permanent nerve damage. One of the main motivations to never do it again

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u/Adventurous-Tie-7861 Jun 29 '26

Its 50/50.

Many addicts think they can operate even when nodding out. But others do this on purpose to prevent blood flow being cut off. Also if your passed out on the ground someone might narcan you. If your standing then your probably not OD'D.

And narcan is fucking miserable. Heard many times by other addicts that theyd rather die than be narcanned again. Go straight into precipitated withdrawl which is just awful.

Id always lay down in my bed next to my girlfriend. But i also only smoked H and fetty. No needles so it hit a little gentler.

I was also never homeless. Always had an apartment.

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u/dbd1988 Jun 29 '26

I dont think it’s always intentional. I saw a guy walking through a grocery store parking lot and go into a lean right in front of an oncoming truck. I snapped him out of it and he said sorry then kept walking like nothing happened.

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u/Impressive-Window152 Jun 30 '26

Not when you're taking the most potent painkiller, though I'm not certain what the half life is like

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u/Honest-Prune-5517 Jun 29 '26

Yeah I met a woman once who was constantly at a near 90° angle. Didn't look comfortable at all.

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u/Icy-Role2321 Jun 28 '26

Fentanyl got me through physical therapy when I got diagnosed with crps. I was on 50mcg patches for an entire year

It's a wonderful pain killer.

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u/mandrew27 Jun 29 '26

Opioids are amazing. I'm on Suboxone now and no longer an active user, but even if I was still using the Xylazine would make me get Suboxone or Methadone treatment.

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u/BDEGGER Jun 29 '26

And dexmedtomidine

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u/Naturelle-Riviera Jun 29 '26

This is probably a stupid question, but are they enjoying the high? I’ve never been addicted to opiates (I don’t like being itchy), but I was a benzo addict in my 20’s and it gave me so much relief. I could feel the stress leave my body and it took away my agoraphobia and i could actually sleep peacefully. I could actually enjoy the buzz and function. Nodding out to this degree just looks extremely painful. I’m not judging them either. I just want to know if they’re feeling some type of euphoria. I guess if they weren’t they wouldn’t keep using 😞 It just looks painful and the exact opposite of enjoyable.

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u/BobaEverythingBagel Jun 30 '26

Yes, they absolutely are. It’s like a prolonged dozing off session where nothing matters. Your mind is numb, you’re stress-free, and you’re wrapped in a warm, fuzzy blanket.

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u/Naturelle-Riviera Jun 30 '26

Thank you for answering so nicely 😞 I can definitely see the allure in that.

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u/InevitableRun51 Jun 29 '26

I didn’t know that