What Is Gas Station Heroin?

“Gas station heroin” is an unsettling term that evokes the disturbing reality of the opioid crisis in the U.S. It refers to the trend of easily accessible, potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl. These drugs are often sold illicitly at convenience stores and gas stations. This phrase not only highlights the dangerous proliferation of these substances but also underscores the socioeconomic factors that contribute to addiction and the public health crisis. 

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, opioid-related overdose deaths rose from just under 50,000 in 2019 to more than 81,000 in 2022. The steep rise has made it crucial to educate society on the dangers of opioids and make rehabilitation accessible to all walks of life. This blog will answer the question, “What is gas station heroin?” and explore treatment options for anyone involved in opioid misuse. 

Here at Living Longer Recovery, we understand the severity of the expanding California opioid epidemic. Our California-based facility is ready with open arms to support users and their families with detox programs, rehab, and various therapies.

What Addictive Drug Is Sold in Gas Stations?

In recent years, gas stations and convenience stores have emerged as hotspots for the sale of addictive substances, raising concerns from public health officials and communities. Some of the most notable examples of drugs sold are kratom and tianeptine, marketed as legal alternatives to opioids or mood enhancers. 

Kratom and tianeptine are two distinct substances with different origins, mechanisms of action, and effects.

Kratom

1. Origin: Kratom is derived from the leaves of the Mitragyna speciosa tree, native to Southeast Asia.
2. Mechanism of Action: It contains alkaloids that interact with opioid receptors. Kratom also has stimulant effects at lower doses.
3. Effects: Kratom can provide pain relief, mood enhancement, and sedation at higher doses. However, it can also lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
4. Legality: The legal status of kratom varies by location, with some places banning its sale due to concerns about safety and addiction.

Tianeptine

1. Origin: Tianeptine is a synthetic compound developed in the 1960s as an antidepressant.
2. Mechanism of Action: It acts on the brain’s serotonin receptors and may also affect glutamate receptors, promoting neuroplasticity.
3. Effects: Tianeptine is primarily used for its antidepressant properties but can produce feelings of euphoria and relaxation, leading to misuse.
4. Legality: While tianeptine is legal in some countries, it is not approved for medical use in the U.S., and it is often sold as an unregulated supplement.

Both of these substances carry risks of dependence and misuse. However, the term “gas station heroin” is more associated with tianeptine, with a growing number of states introducing bans on the drug. For many years, researchers were unaware that it was a type of opioid and worked in a similar way to heroin. However, new legislation seeks to reduce its availability. 

Meanwhile, rehab centers like Living Longer Recovery are combating addiction with their prescription drug addiction treatment programs and educational resources.

What Is Tianeptine Used For?

Tianeptine is primarily used as an antidepressant. It is marketed as a treatment for major depressive disorder and has been found to help alleviate symptoms of anxiety. Unlike traditional antidepressants, which often focus on increasing serotonin levels, tianeptine is thought to enhance the brain’s ability to form new neural pathways and affect the glutamatergic system.

In addition to its antidepressant effects and alleviating anxiety, some people use tianeptine for stress and pain management. There are anecdotal reports of its effectiveness in managing chronic pain. However, clinical evidence does not support this use.

Despite these potential uses, it’s important to note that tianeptine is not approved for medical use in many countries, including the United States, and it is highly addictive. It can result in severe withdrawal symptoms and even death. If you or someone you know is suffering the effects of tianeptine, don’t hesitate to reach out to Living Longer Recovery and discuss our detox treatment program for drug and alcohol abuse. 

What Are the Street Names for Tianeptine?

Anyone wondering, “What is gas station heroin?” may next ask what are the common street names for tianeptine. This drug flew under the radar for many years, as it was not legal to market or sell tianeptine, yet it also wasn’t listed as a federally controlled substance. As a result, it became widely available at gas stations and online. A community then formed around the drug, prompting various street names.

Drugs have street names for several reasons, including secrecy or discretion, marketing, evading law enforcement, or cultural slang tendencies. Taneptine is no different. In addition to “gas station heroin,” there are several other street names the drug is known as. 

Some common names include:

1. Ti: A shortened form of tianeptine.
2. Tianeptine Sulfate: This refers to one of its common forms.
3. Zaza: A term used in some circles.
4. Tia: Another abbreviated version.

These names are often used in online forums and among users, varying by region. However, it is strongly advised to avoid contact with tianeptine because of its addictive qualities. 

What Type of Drug Is Zaza?

As discussed in the previous section, “Zaza” is a street name for tianeptine. It is primarily used to treat major depressive disorder and may have anxiolytic effects. Zaza is not approved for use in the United States and is sold as a supplement, raising concerns about quality, dosage, and potential for misuse.

While tianeptine can produce mood-enhancing effects, it can also lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms, particularly when taken in higher doses. Users should be aware of the risks associated with its use, especially given the lack of regulation in its sale and distribution. It is best to abstain from tianeptine altogether, as opioids can have detrimental effects on a person’s mental and physical well-being. 

Living Longer Recovery Can Help Anyone Asking, “What Is Gas Station Heroin?”

Tianeptine was first launched in Europe in the 1980s and was never cleared in the U.S. for medical use. It thrived and grew a following as a non regulated substance promising enhanced mood. However, states across the country are now banning the drug, with the most recent being Florida. 

Here at Living Longer Recovery, we are working to combat the opioid pandemic through our services. Our offerings include inpatient and outpatient rehab, a detox program, dual diagnosis support, and partial hospitalization. The experts at Living Longer Recovery have many years of experience treating opiate addiction and are well-equipped to support anybody seeking recovery. 

So, call us today at 866-714-3294. Whether you simply want an answer to “What is gas station heroin?” or you require treatment, we’re here for you. Our rehab location in Desert Hot Springs, California, could be just the place to take back control of your life.

External Sources

• National Institute on Drug Abuse — Drug Overdose Deaths 
• NPR — 8 Things to Know About the Drug Known as ‘Gas Station Heroin’
• National Library of Medicine — From Antidepressant Tianeptine to Street Drug Zaza