Amputations During the Civil War in the 1860s were very common and saved lives. Here's a video that looks at this topic.
Arms
and legs were lost from one's body as a consequence of battle. Artillery penetrated the limb and the result
was often the loss of that extremity.
**********
What does this have to do with Substance Use Disorder on the streets of Kensington?
As
I've already written, there is a Civil War in the Mind occurring within patients with Substance Use
Disorder. This civil war's conflict
within the patient causes this person to battle between wanting healing and
wanting drug.
There
is a drug making itself known more and more in Kensington. It is called "Krokodil." You can read about it here. Look in the
endnotes of this blog for the most critical part of this article.[i]
The
victim who is a patient with Substance Use Disorder is torn between desiring detox
and craving drug. Rotting of flesh,
muscle and bone progresses while the patient intellectually understands the
consequences of a rotting extremity - potential
amputation - and yet hears with stunning clarity the inaudible call of the
opioid.
I've
recently interacted with two people who I love from those streets who are
facing this issue. One's battle with
Krokodil is very advanced with self reports of seeing their own bone. The other's battle has only just begun with a
dime sized black hole and a whole bunch of localized infection and
swelling.
For
anyone else facing such a critical situation, the answer for entering healing
would be simple: Go to a doctor, clinic
or emergency room!
For
patients with Substance Use Disorder who are reliant on Medicaid, it's not that
simple.
Unlike
the soldier on the Civil War battlefield who just happened to be in the wrong
place in that moment the enemy artillery came calling, the patient dealing with
Substance Use Disorder and now Krokodil can make the decision to go for health
care before amputation becomes the only viable avenue to renewed health. Sadly, there are unreasonable, and medically neglectful[ii] hoops created by far too many medical professionals who
had dedicated their careers to the ideals of Hippocrates that must be jumped through while
each patient is dealing with their own internal psychological civil war of healing
vs. drug. One side of their brain cries
in literal agony for healing while the other side of the brain makes
arrangements for income and then acquisition and consumption of their next drug
supply.
Rotting of flesh, muscle and bone
continues while the mental battle plays itself out to a possible conclusion of amputation.
Krokodil,
just like heroin, is an inanimate substance. As an
inanimate substance, Krokodil is incapable of creating the massive crisis that
exists right now on the streets of Kensington.
It is just being what it is, nothing more and nothing less. The Medicaid healthcare system adds to the
crisis with its lack of prompt dignity and respect filled connectional medical
care.
We
can do better for our loved ones on the streets of Kensington. To that end, I invite you to continue reading
"Kensington Does Not Have an Opioid Crisis!"
End Notes:
The most recognized side effect of krokodil is scaly green and black skin that develops shortly after injecting the drug.
Based on reports, people don’t need to use the drug for long to experience permanent and serious tissue damage that extends as deep as the bone.
Let’s take a closer look at the side effects responsible for the drug’s street name as well as its other side effects.
Skin necrosis
According to reports Trusted Source, people develop significant swelling and pain in the area where the drug is injected. This is followed by skin discoloration and scaling. Eventually large areas of ulceration occur where the tissue dies.
The damage is believed to be at least partly caused by the toxic effect of the additives used to make the drug, most of which are erosive to skin.
The drug is also not purified before injection. This may explain why the skin irritation happens almost immediately after injection.
Muscle and cartilage damage
The ulcerated skin often progresses to severe muscle and cartilage damage. The skin continues to ulcerate, eventually sloughing off and exposing the bone underneath.
Krokodil is 10 times Trusted Source more potent than morphine. Because of its pain-relieving effects, many people who use the drug ignore these side effects and put off treatment until extensive damage has been done, including gangrene.
Blood vessel damage
Krokodil can damage the blood vessels that prevent the body’s tissues from getting the blood it needs. Blood vessel damage associated with the drug can cause gangrene. It can also lead to thrombophlebitis, which is inflammation of a vein caused by a blood clot.
Bone damage
Bone infections (osteomyelitis) and bone death (osteonecrosis) in parts of the body separate from the injection site have also been reported.
Bacteria are able to enter the bone through the deep tissue wounds, causing infection. Bone death occurs when blood flow to the bone slows or is stopped.
Amputation is sometimes needed to treat this type of damage.
Use of krokodil has been associated with a number of other serious side effects and complications, including:
· sepsis, also referred to as blood poisoning
· death
Krokodil (desomorphine) is a dangerous and potentially fatal drug that causes a number of side effects.
Its toxic effects are experienced immediately after injecting it and progress very quickly.
If you or someone you know is using krokodil or misusing other opioids, here’s how to get help.
Last medically reviewed on August 6, 2019
[ii] neglect
1. Failure of a health care provider or caregiver to observe due care and diligence in performing services or delivering medicine or other products so as to avoid harming a patient.
2. Generally, indifference or inadequate attention to one's responsibilities in regard to self-care, care of others, or other aspects of one's personal or professional life.
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