If you’re a parent of a teenager, you may have noticed the term “ZaZa” being thrown around on social media. If you’re a teen or young adult yourself, your friends or colleagues may be using this drug. ZaZa, also known as “gas station heroin,” is a substance that acts similarly to opioids. It’s marketed as a mood booster but often misused by those seeking a similar high to that caused by heroin and fentanyl.
What Is Tianeptine and Why Is It Called “ZaZa”?
So what is ZaZa? The drug’s official name is tianeptine. It’s found in over-the-counter supplements and can be bought legally in many parts of the United States. You can find tianeptine for sale in health food stores, fitness stores and even gas stations. This makes it easy to acquire and, therefore, easy to abuse.
Legal Status and Availability in the United States
Tianeptine is approved as a treatment for depression in 24 different countries but not for medical use in the United States. However, it’s not listed as a federally controlled substance. This puts it in a gray area where it can’t be marketed as a drug but can be sold and marketed as a mood-boosting, stimulating supplement.
It’s possible to buy tianeptine in gas stations and other stores, and there are many drinks, snacks and supplement pills containing it. Despite it being a habit-forming substance, you can build up a tolerance to.
Some states have classified tianeptine as a Schedule II controlled substance, putting it in the same bracket as morphine, methadone, fentanyl and oxycodone. The drug is banned in some states (including Ohio and Tennessee) but still freely available in many other parts of the country.
Risks and Dangers of Misusing Gas Station Heroin
The recommended therapeutic dose range for people who are trying to treat depression is between 25 and 50 mg/day. However, people who are abusing the drug often take as much as 100 times that amount.
Tianeptine is a tricyclic antidepressant that causes a similar high to opioids. Since it’s sold as a supplement, many people start taking it unaware of the product’s dangers. They then build up a tolerance to it and may experience psychological aspects of dependency.
Even when taken in small doses, tianeptine can have unwanted side effects, including:
- Abdominal pain
- Nightmares
- Constipation
- Drowsiness
- Dizzy spells
- Headaches
- Nausea
Taking the drug long-term can lead to a person requiring larger doses to achieve the same effects. An overdose of tianeptine can be fatal.
It’s common for people to mix tianeptine with other substances such as alcohol, opioids or other drugs. Depending on the substances used, a person may experience an elevated heart rate, reduced blood pressure, seizures or cardiac arrest.
Why Some People Turn to Tianeptine for Self-Medication
Because tianeptine isn’t classed as a prescription drug and is sold freely in many parts of the United States, it’s easy for people to start taking it without being aware of the dangers. Many retailers sell colorful bottles that look like healthy “shots” and contain tianeptine and other stimulants or drugs.
Someone who’s tired, stressed or feeling down and who wants an “up” might take a couple of those shots hoping for a legal high. Tianeptine is an effective antidepressant that activates the same receptors as morphine and oxycodone, so it’s easy to understand why people become addicted to it.
For many who become dependent on the drug, the slide into addiction is accidental. They purchase something in a store under the assumption that it’s no more dangerous than caffeine. Because they’re unaware of the strength and risks of the substance, they take large doses and mix it with other substances in an attempt to dull the difficult emotions they’re facing. Addiction is insidious, and by the time they realize they’ve built up a dependency, it’s too late.
Signs of Dependence and Withdrawal
The unregulated nature of ZaZa makes it easy for people to become dependent on it. Signs that a person is at risk of misusing the drug include:
- Tolerance (needing more to feel the effects)
- Cravings (needing to take the drug to feel normal)
- A need to take the drug alongside other drugs or alcohol
If you or a loved one is taking increasing amounts of ZaZa, worrying about where to find it next or mixing ZaZa with alcohol in an attempt to make the high stronger, take these warning signs seriously. It’s possible to overdose on tianeptine, and combining the drug with other substances can make it more likely you’ll experience dangerous side effects.
Attempting to stop taking ZaZa can lead to withdrawal symptoms such as:
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Aches and pains
- Confusion
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Gastric upset
- Suicidal ideation
- Low mood
- Cardiac issues
- Respiratory issues
Because of the risk of severe and dangerous side effects, it’s important to seek medical advice before attempting to stop taking the drug. Tianeptine can be highly addictive, and even self-tapering may not be successful. A rehab center can provide support to ease the withdrawal symptoms and also help people find coping strategies to enable them to stay drug-free in the long term.
Safer Alternatives and How to Seek Help
The stigma surrounding substance abuse can discourage some people from seeking help with their tianeptine addiction. This is especially true for people who started taking ZaZa thinking that it was a safe supplement rather than a potentially addictive drug. If you have become dependent on gas station heroin or are close to someone who has, talking to an addiction specialist is essential.
Many other people have walked the same path, and treatment centers such as FHE Health exist to provide confidential, compassionate and nonjudgmental care. We want to see you recover from your addiction.
To learn more about our inpatient and outpatient rehab services, verify your insurance or book an appointment, call FHE Health today. Our lines are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year to offer life-saving treatments.
