What Are Nitazenes?

Key Takeaways

• Nitazenes are highly potent synthetic opioids, and some compounds may be as strong as or stronger than fentanyl.
• Nitazenes can appear in counterfeit pills, powders, and mixtures with other drugs, meaning someone may take them without knowing.
• Sober First Recovery provides veteran focused treatment for opioid addiction, withdrawal, trauma, PTSD, and co-occurring mental health concerns.

Nitazenes are powerful synthetic opioids that can appear in counterfeit pills, powders, or other drugs without someone knowing. Because some nitazenes are very strong, they can increase the risk of slowed breathing, overdose, and death. At Sober First Recovery, we provide veteran focused treatment for opioid addiction in Newport Beach and serve veterans across the United States.

What Are Nitazenes and Why Are They So Dangerous?

Nitazenes are synthetic opioids first developed in the 1950s but never approved for medical use. Today, they can be found in counterfeit pills and other illegal drugs.

Some nitazenes can be as strong as or stronger than fentanyl. They are especially dangerous because people may take them without knowing they are present, increasing the risk of overdose.

How Do Nitazenes Affect the Brain and Body?

Like other opioids, nitazenes act on opioid receptors in the brain. These receptors affect pain, reward, sedation, and breathing.

Possible effects may include:

• Drowsiness
• Relaxation or euphoria
• Confusion
• Nausea
• Pinpoint pupils
• Slowed breathing
• Loss of consciousness

The most serious risk is respiratory depression. Breathing can slow to dangerous levels or stop completely during an overdose. Repeated use can also lead to tolerance, physical dependence, cravings, and addiction.

Are Nitazenes Stronger Than Fentanyl and Other Opioids?

Some nitazenes can be stronger than fentanyl, but potency varies depending on the specific type. This makes it difficult to know how strong an unknown pill or powder may be.

Because fentanyl is already a powerful opioid, exposure to an even stronger nitazene can greatly increase the risk of overdose. This can happen even to people who have used opioids before.

Why Are Nitazenes Showing Up in the Illegal Drug Supply?

Nitazenes have been found in counterfeit pills and illegal drugs containing fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, or other substances. Counterfeit pills can look like real prescription medications, making it difficult to know what they actually contain.

Because nitazenes cannot be identified by appearance alone, someone may take a powerful synthetic opioid without knowing it. This can greatly increase the risk of accidental overdose.

What Are the Signs of Nitazene Use and Addiction?

Signs of nitazene addiction may include strong cravings, trouble cutting back, frequent opioid use, and continued use despite problems with health, work, or relationships. Physical signs can include drowsiness, nausea, confusion, and pinpoint pupils.

Veterans may also struggle with PTSD, anxiety, depression, chronic pain, or military trauma alongside opioid addiction. Professional treatment can address both substance use and mental health concerns.

What Are the Signs of a Nitazene Overdose?

Possible signs include:

• Very slow or stopped breathing
• Extreme sleepiness
• Inability to wake up
• Pinpoint pupils
• Blue or discolored lips or skin
• Limpness
• Loss of consciousness

Call 911 immediately if an opioid overdose is suspected.

Naloxone can reverse an opioid overdose involving nitazenes. Because some nitazenes are very potent, more than one dose may sometimes be needed. Emergency medical care is still necessary even if the person begins responding.

What Happens During Nitazene Withdrawal and Detox?

Regular nitazene use can lead to physical dependence. When someone stops using opioids, withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, sweating, muscle aches, nausea, trouble sleeping, and strong cravings.

Medical Detox can provide support while the body adjusts to stopping opioid use. After detox, continued treatment can help address cravings, triggers, trauma, mental health concerns, and addiction.

How Can Treatment Help Veterans With Nitazene Addiction?

Treatment can help veterans address opioid addiction along with PTSD, anxiety, depression, trauma, and other mental health concerns.

At Sober First Recovery, veterans can receive Medical Detox, Residential Treatment, PHP, IOP, and Virtual Addiction Treatment. Therapy may also include CBT, DBT, EMDR, Trauma Therapy, individual therapy, and group therapy based on each veteran’s needs.

Why Do Veterans Choose Sober First Recovery for Opioid Addiction Treatment?

Veterans may choose Sober First Recovery because our programs focus on opioid addiction, military trauma, and co-occurring mental health concerns. Our Newport Beach treatment center serves veterans from California and across the United States. We provide Medical Detox, Residential Treatment, PHP, IOP, and Virtual Addiction Treatment.

Care can address opioid withdrawal, cravings, PTSD, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationships, and relapse prevention. Our goal is to help veterans address substance use while building healthier ways to manage pain, stress, trauma, emotions, and everyday life.

Get Opioid Addiction Treatment at Sober First Recovery

Nitazenes are dangerous synthetic opioids that can appear unexpectedly in counterfeit pills and other illegal drugs. Their high potency and unpredictable presence increase the risk of dependence, overdose, and death.

For veterans struggling with opioid addiction, treatment can provide support for withdrawal, cravings, trauma, and mental health concerns.

If you or a veteran you care about is struggling with opioid use, contact the team at Sober First Recovery today to discuss veteran addiction treatment options.