{"id":39838,"date":"2025-10-06T06:00:37","date_gmt":"2025-10-06T10:00:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/?p=39838"},"modified":"2025-10-14T15:00:56","modified_gmt":"2025-10-14T19:00:56","slug":"scary-reality-of-gas-station-drugs-dependency-withdrawal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/scary-reality-of-gas-station-drugs-dependency-withdrawal\/","title":{"rendered":"Scary Reality of Gas Station Drugs: Dependency & Withdrawal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Addictive substances have never been out of the realm of the classic American convenience store and gas station mini-mart. These ubiquitous neighborhood staples have always readily served up alcohol and nicotine products\u2014two substances that are <\/span>leading causes of preventable death<\/span><\/a>, yet are always accessible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So it shouldn\u2019t come as a surprise that American capitalism, in the face of dangerously addictive substances, always comes out on top. Now, even more harmfully unregulated substances are readily available at a neighborhood gas station, vape store, or corner market store near you! Names like \u2018Gas Station Heroin\u2019 and \u2018Tia\u2019 nab the headlines, but what actually are these drugs, and how bad can they mess your life up?<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why Do People Seek Out Gas Station Drugs?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The catchall term, \u2018gas station drugs, \u2019 means any unregulated, over-the-counter product, usually claiming to be a health supplement or mood booster. Manufacturers typically produce these drugs as pills or powders, and some even package them as beverages stocked in the cooler alongside sketchier energy drinks.<\/span><\/p>\n

There\u2019s a natural intrigue involved when products have a reputation for potentially helping with pain or providing a possible boost. The demographic includes everyone from underage kids chasing a buzz to people legitimately seeking relief.<\/span><\/p>\n

The unfortunate reality of the world we live in is one with very high substance abuse rates. A lot of people use different types of gas station drugs in the hopes of getting off of supposedly harder drugs like methamphetamine and opioids like fentanyl, heroin, or oxycodone. The hope is that users will \u2018taper off\u2019 and eventually stop using. The common reality is, however, that users are becoming dangerously addicted to these gas station drugs instead of the others they\u2019re trying to kick.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Are Some Common Gas Station Drugs?\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Cappuccino-flavored potato chips aside, shady stuff at mini-marts has always been around. K2\u2014aka Spice\u2014the <\/span>controversial synthetic cannabinoid based substance<\/span><\/a> kicked all of the madness off over 20 years ago. Bath salts, at one point, also ranked as the hottest gas station drugs. The peak of their popularity was when a Florida man on bath salts <\/span>ate another Florida man\u2019s face off<\/span><\/a>\u2014ah, 2012, how much we miss ye!\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Reports indicated these drugs contained an unregulated and random <\/span>array of synthetic compounds<\/span><\/a>, causing any number of acute and long-term physical and mental health symptoms. The bad rap and news stories ultimately shifted these drugs from behind the counter of many stores and into \u2018inquire within\u2019 status. The new gas station bad boy eventually became <\/span>Delta-8 weed<\/span><\/a>, and its chemically processed, \u2018something\u2019s kinda off\u2019 type of high. However, there are other, even more dangerous substances currently available at many stores, and as it turns out, they\u2019re worse news than the National Enquirer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Is This Tieneptine Stuff I Keep Reading About?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Politicians and news reports often speak of a product called \u2018gas station heroin\u2019 wreaking havoc on public health. This drug is formally known as tianeptine\u2014nicknamed Tia\u2014and it’s been used to treat depression in other countries for quite some time. In the U.S., lawmakers are making efforts to have Tia put on the list of federally illegal Schedule I drugs, while individual states are making their own rules concerning the drug. It\u2019s currently sold as a substance capable of boosting brain functionality, known as a nootropic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Consumers asking the clerk to grab a short, shot-sized bottle of tia from behind the counter is the first gamble\u2014many producers commonly include mysterious ingredients in varying amounts. What follows could be the biggest risk\u2014hopeless addiction.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Tianeptine
Photo Credit: iStock<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Addictive Nature of Opioids Continues with Tia<\/b><\/h3>\n

Doctors in other countries typically prescribe a 12.5mg dose of tia 3 times a day\u2014exceeding these doses is when the real narcotic feelings come on, paving the way for potential addiction fueled by unregulated and unknown potencies. The word \u2018heroin\u2019 gets thrown around with tia because it isn\u2019t anything like a typical antidepressant\u2014it’s actually a full-blown opioid similar to morphine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Researchers initially discovered a potential for tia to promote neuroplasticity in the brain; however, further research confirmed that it activates the same pleasure-reward-addiction receptor as many opioids, including morphine, oxycodone, and fentanyl. The FDA has outlined some potential withdrawal symptoms associated with quitting tia\u2014many symptoms are on par with ridiculous disclaimers of pharmaceutical product TV ads. Side effects may include: craving, sweating, \u2018goose flesh\u2019, diarrhea, and myalgias. Those symptoms confirm that withdrawal is a side effect, so should we cue the singing, dancing, and elderly couples in outdoor bathtubs?\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Neptune\u2019s Fix is one brand known to include a varying mix and ratio of tia, but also other compounds that may consist of cannabinoids. One bad batch of Neptune\u2019s Fix spread through parts of New Jersey in 2023, <\/span>sending 13 of 17 patients<\/span><\/a> with adverse effects into intensive care. A <\/span>death as a result of Neptune\u2019s Fix<\/span><\/a> recently occurred in June of 2024.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Why Do People Take Tia?<\/b><\/h3>\n

Tia has been doing damage on American shores since the turn of the century; however, <\/span>a 2014 study<\/span><\/a> perhaps unintentionally spurred the uptick over the last decade. The study confirmed the viability of tia to work the same receptors as an alternative to other common opiates. A published peer-reviewed article from 2021 analyzed 210 Reddit <\/span>social media posts that mentioned tia<\/span><\/a> from 2012-2020\u2014here are some of the findings:<\/span><\/p>\n