A new and alarming threat has entered Mississippi’s already dangerous drug landscape: xylazine. Known on the street as “tranq,” this veterinary sedative is increasingly showing up in illicit fentanyl and heroin supplies, especially in rural parts of the South. Unlike opioids, xylazine is not reversed by naloxone (Narcan), making overdoses more complex and more deadly. This growing problem has contributed to rising cases of xylazine addiction in Mississippi.
In this article, we’ll explain what xylazine is, why it’s spreading so quickly across Mississippi, and how Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center (MSDATC) is adapting treatment protocols to save lives and support recovery.
What Is Xylazine?
Xylazine is a non-opioid sedative approved only for veterinary use—commonly used as a tranquilizer for horses and livestock. In humans, xylazine causes extreme sedation, slowed breathing, low blood pressure, and skin ulcers. It is not approved for human consumption and has no known antidote.
Despite this, xylazine is being mixed with fentanyl and heroin to enhance and prolong the euphoric effects of opioids. The combination is both cheap and highly dangerous—users often do not realize xylazine is present in what they consume, increasing the risk of xylazine addiction in Mississippi.
Why Xylazine Use Is Rising in Mississippi
The spread of xylazine in Mississippi follows national trends but poses even more serious risks in rural areas. According to the DEA’s public safety alert on xylazine, the sedative has been detected in over 40% of fentanyl samples tested in some Southern regions. Mississippi’s proximity to major trafficking corridors and its rural makeup make it especially vulnerable to rising xylazine addiction in Mississippi.
Rural counties face unique challenges: limited access to emergency medical care, fewer addiction treatment resources, and longer EMS response times. When a xylazine-laced overdose happens, a fast-acting dose of Narcan may not be enough—or may fail entirely. These factors combine into a perfect storm for communities already strained by poverty, isolation, and underfunded healthcare systems.
Xylazine’s Unique and Deadly Risks
Xylazine poses unique threats that worsen the effects of opioid addiction:
- Narcan Resistance: Xylazine is not an opioid, so Narcan (naloxone) cannot reverse its effects. This leads to a rise in fatal overdoses.
- Tissue Damage: Chronic use causes necrotic skin ulcers that may require amputations—even in injection sites far from the administration point.
- Extreme Sedation: Powerful sedative effects can leave users unconscious for hours, increasing risk of injury, assault, or death.
- Withdrawal Complexity: Detoxing from xylazine is medically more complex than traditional opioid withdrawal, causing disorientation, agitation, and prolonged sedation and anxiety.
- Polysubstance Dependence: Often combined with opioids, xylazine increases the chance of layered substance dependencies, harder to treat and more dangerous to withdraw from.
A Real-World Scenario: The Overdose That Narcan Couldn’t Reverse
Emergency rooms across Mississippi report more cases of patients arriving unresponsive and not responding to Narcan. In one case, a 27-year-old man from rural Hancock County was found unconscious in a parking lot. Bystanders administered two doses of Narcan without success.
EMTs noticed deep ulcers on his forearms and suspected xylazine involvement. At the hospital, he required ventilator support and wound debridement. Though he survived, he faces a long recovery involving skin grafts, trauma therapy, and residential substance abuse treatment.
Stories like this highlight the urgency of the xylazine addiction Mississippi crisis.
How MSDATC Is Responding to the Xylazine Crisis
Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center recognizes that this new threat requires updated, responsive care. Our clinical team monitors drug trends and adjusts protocols to ensure clients receive safe, effective treatment.
Advanced Medical Detox for Xylazine Withdrawal
Because xylazine withdrawal carries additional risks beyond typical opioid detox, our detox services provide around-the-clock supervision, IV fluids, wound care, and psychiatric support. Our team handles sedation complications and prolonged detox timelines.
Each patient receives an individualized plan that may include non-opioid medications to manage anxiety, sleep problems, and mood instability as their body stabilizes.
Comprehensive Fentanyl and Opioid Rehab
Since xylazine is often paired with fentanyl, our fentanyl treatment program includes protocols for patients exposed to xylazine. This involves more than vital sign monitoring—it includes nutritional support, wound management, and medication-assisted therapies supporting nervous system recovery.
Our opioid addiction treatment integrates trauma-informed care, behavioral therapy, and peer support, helping clients rebuild their lives.
Trauma-Informed Dual Diagnosis Support
Many exposed to xylazine have co-occurring mental health conditions such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression. MSDATC provides dual diagnosis treatment addressing both substance use and underlying mental health issues. This approach is essential for lasting healing and relapse prevention, especially for those suffering traumatic medical experiences or physical disfigurement.
Harm Reduction and Community Education
MSDATC partners with local health agencies to educate about overdose prevention, safe use, and recognizing xylazine contamination. We support the use of xylazine test strips—critical tools that help people identify contaminated drugs and reduce harm.
We also offer post-overdose counseling and case management to connect individuals to care after emergency visits.
Signs of Xylazine Exposure or Addiction
Xylazine addiction can differ from traditional opioid use disorder. Seek professional help if you or a loved one experiences:
- Persistent drowsiness, confusion, or loss of consciousness
- Skin ulcers near injection sites
- Difficulty breathing or slow heart rate
- Failure to respond to Narcan during overdose
- Continued drug use despite severe health issues
- Mood swings, hallucinations, or disorientation during withdrawal
Since xylazine is often undetected in routine drug tests, many users are unaware of their exposure. It’s often hidden in counterfeit pills or sold as fentanyl or heroin.
Facing the Crisis with Compassion and Expertise
Xylazine addiction in Mississippi is a growing public health emergency, especially among communities already hit hard by opioids. But with awareness, updated clinical approaches, and compassionate care, recovery is achievable.
At Mississippi Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center, we lead in adapting treatment to meet these challenges. From customized detox protocols to staff training on emerging trends, our team is dedicated to saving lives and restoring hope.
If you or someone you love struggles with substance use involving xylazine or fentanyl, reach out now to start the path to recovery.
(855) 334-6120
MississippiDATC.com
13251 Reece Bergeron Road, Biloxi, MS 39532
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