Nitazenes are a new and dangerous addition to the street drug supply in the United States. Though many people have never heard of them, these synthetic opioids are contributing to a rising number of overdoses, including communities in New Jersey.
At Recovery at the Crossroads, we are committed to helping people understand these risks and access safe, effective opioid addiction treatment. Learning about nitazenes is an important step toward prevention and recovery.
What Are Nitazenes and How Did They Originate?
Nitazenes are a group of man-made (synthetic) opioids that were originally created in the 1950s. Scientists were trying to develop new painkillers, but these drugs turned out to be too strong and too risky for medical use. As a result, they were never approved for people or even animals.
For decades, nitazenes were mostly forgotten. But in the last few years, they’ve started showing up again, this time on the street. Around 2019, nitazenes began appearing in illegal drug supplies in Europe and North America. They’re now being found in fake pills, powders, and other street drugs, often without users knowing.
What makes nitazenes especially dangerous is that they were never meant to be used outside of a lab. They are much stronger than most people realize, and using even a tiny amount can be fatal.
How Potent Are Nitazenes Compared to Other Opioids?
Nitazenes come in many forms, and some of them are extremely strong. In fact, several are even more powerful than fentanyl. Here’s what that means:
- Etonitazene is estimated to be up to 500 times stronger than heroin. Just a trace amount can be deadly.
- Isotonitazene is also stronger than fentanyl, and about 2 to 3 times stronger than common prescription opioids like hydromorphone.
- Some versions of nitazenes—like isotonitazepyne—are believed to be 1,000 times stronger than morphine.
- Metonitazene is about as strong as fentanyl, which is already 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine.
- Even the “weaker” versions, like propylnitazene and menitazene, are still 10 to 50 times stronger than morphine.
Because nitazenes are so strong, people can overdose even if they think they’re taking something else, like a pain pill or a street drug they’ve used before.
Why Nitazenes Are So Dangerous
Nitazenes are not just another drug in the opioid crisis. They come with serious risks, especially because most people have never heard of them. Here is what makes them especially dangerous:
- They are extremely strong: Nitazenes are so powerful that even a tiny amount, smaller than a grain of salt, can cause someone to stop breathing. These overdoses happen quickly and are often fatal. Health professionals are raising urgent concerns.
- They are often hidden in other substances: Many people who overdose on nitazenes do not realize they took them. Nitazenes have been found in fake pills that look like oxycodone or Xanax, and in powders mislabeled as cocaine or MDMA. They have even shown up in vape liquids.
- They are spreading fast: Since 2019, nitazenes have been found across the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia. Hundreds of deaths have already been linked to them. These drugs are not just in big cities—they are turning up in suburban and rural communities, including New Jersey.
- Naloxone may not be enough: Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse opioid overdoses, but nitazene overdoses often require multiple doses or urgent medical care. The strength of these drugs makes them more difficult to treat quickly.
- They are difficult to detect: Standard drug test strips do not pick up most nitazenes. Some newer test strips can detect them, but they are not widely available yet. This makes it harder to stay safe.
Recovery at the Crossroads is here to help people understand these risks and get the support they need. We provide accurate information, compassionate care, and culturally aligned addiction treatment in South Jersey. Call us at 888-342-3881 or contact us online to learn more.
Why Accurate Information and Community Support Matter
When it comes to nitazenes, what people don’t know can hurt them. Many overdoses happen because people believe they are taking something familiar, like a prescription pain pill or recreational drug. In reality, they may be ingesting a much more potent substance. That is why it is critical for individuals and families to learn how to recognize the signs of opioid overdose. These can include slowed or stopped breathing, blue or gray lips and fingertips, unresponsiveness, and gurgling or choking sounds.
Access to naloxone, the emergency medication that can reverse opioid overdoses, is also essential. Because nitazenes are so strong, more than one dose may be needed. Families and community members should be trained in how to use naloxone and encouraged to carry it, especially if someone they know is at risk.
There is also a need for better drug testing tools. Many current test strips do not detect nitazenes, which means users may have no idea what they are taking. Although newer strips that can detect some nitazenes are being developed, they are not yet widely available. Until then, community education and awareness are the best defenses.
At Recovery at the Crossroads, we believe that accurate information saves lives. Whether you are looking for addiction treatment for yourself or someone you love, we are here to help.
Recovery At The Crossroads Provides Evidence‑Based Care for Opioid Addiction
Recovery at the Crossroads offers structured, professional support for individuals struggling with opioid addiction, including those affected by powerful synthetic opioids. Located in South Jersey, our treatment center serves communities throughout Camden, Cherry Hill, Blackwood, Washington Township, and surrounding areas.
Our clinical team provides evidence-based care that addresses the full picture of addiction. This includes individual counseling, group therapy, and dual diagnosis treatment for those facing both substance use and mental health challenges. Every program is tailored to meet each person’s unique needs in a safe and respectful environment.
When someone is using substances that may contain nitazenes, time and access to the right level of care can make all the difference. Our focus is on long-term recovery through medically informed treatment that helps people regain control of their lives.
If you or someone you care about is ready to take the first step toward recovery, we are here to help. Call us at 888-342-3881 or contact us online today.
