Xylazine (Tranq) Addiction Treatment in South Jersey

Xylazine — commonly called "tranq" — has become an increasingly dangerous adulterant in South Jersey's fentanyl supply, adding a new and serious layer of risk to an already deadly drug crisis. Hope Harbor Addiction Center in Cherry Hill provides xylazine-aware addiction treatment with specialized protocols for fentanyl-xylazine co-exposure, wound care coordination, and comprehensive recovery support. If someone is overdosing right now, call 911 immediately. For treatment inquiries, call Hope Harbor 24/7 at (732) 523-5239.

What Is Xylazine?

Xylazine is a powerful sedative and muscle relaxant used in veterinary medicine — primarily for large animals like cattle and horses. It works by activating alpha-2 adrenergic receptors in the central nervous system, producing profound sedation. The FDA has not approved xylazine for human use, and it has no established safe dose in humans.

Illicit drug manufacturers began adding xylazine to fentanyl because it extends the duration of sedation and intensifies the subjective effect of the drug — creating more perceived value and stronger dependence. People using fentanyl in South Jersey today may be using xylazine-contaminated fentanyl without knowing it. Xylazine has been detected in drug supplies across the Northeast, including in New Jersey counties served by Hope Harbor.

For current data on xylazine in New Jersey's drug supply, see our page on xylazine in the New Jersey drug supply.

The Critical Warning: Narcan Does NOT Reverse Xylazine

This is the most important piece of information for anyone in South Jersey who may encounter an overdose: Narcan (naloxone) does NOT reverse xylazine sedation.

Naloxone works by blocking opioid receptors. Xylazine is not an opioid — it acts on a completely different receptor system. When someone overdoses on a fentanyl-xylazine mixture:

• Narcan may partially restore breathing by reversing the fentanyl component
• The person may still remain deeply sedated or unconscious from the xylazine
• They may appear to respond to Narcan but then lose consciousness again
• Respiratory depression may continue even after naloxone administration

Always call 911 in an overdose situation, even if Narcan has been given. Do not leave the person alone. Place them in the recovery position (on their side) if they are unconscious and breathing. Give additional doses of Narcan every 2–3 minutes until emergency services arrive — this treats the fentanyl component and buys time, even though it doesn't address xylazine.

For more information on naloxone and overdose response, see our page on Narcan in New Jersey.

Xylazine Wound Care: A Medical Emergency Within Addiction

One of the most alarming physical consequences of xylazine use is severe, necrotizing skin wounds. Xylazine causes intense vasoconstriction (narrowing of blood vessels) that cuts off blood supply to tissue. The resulting necrotic wounds:

• Can appear anywhere on the body — not just at injection sites
• Start as small sores or abscesses and can rapidly expand to large areas of dead tissue
• Are resistant to standard wound treatments
• Frequently become severely infected, including with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• In advanced cases, have required surgical debridement or amputation

Anyone presenting to Hope Harbor with xylazine-related wounds receives coordinated wound care in addition to addiction treatment. These wounds require ongoing medical management and do not resolve simply with detox — active wound care must continue through the treatment process.

New Jersey's Response to Xylazine

New Jersey enacted legislation in January 2024 to expand access to xylazine test strips — allowing people who use drugs to test their supply for xylazine before use. The NJ Department of Health coordinates distribution of xylazine test strips through Harm Reduction Centers across the state. Cooper University Health Care operates local harm reduction services in the Camden County region and has been a leader in coordinating xylazine response locally.

Despite these harm reduction efforts, xylazine remains a serious and growing threat. The most effective long-term protection is accessing professional addiction treatment that addresses fentanyl and xylazine use disorder comprehensively.

Xylazine-Aware Treatment at Hope Harbor

Because xylazine almost always appears in combination with fentanyl, treatment primarily targets opioid use disorder while also managing xylazine-specific risks. Hope Harbor's xylazine-aware protocols include:

• Buprenorphine-based MAT: Initiated during medical detox to manage opioid (fentanyl) withdrawal and craving. This is the primary pharmacological treatment for the opioid component of fentanyl-xylazine use disorder.
• Xylazine withdrawal management: Xylazine withdrawal produces agitation, restlessness, and discomfort that requires symptomatic management during the acute detox phase. Our clinical team uses comfort medications and close monitoring to manage these symptoms safely.
• Wound care coordination: For patients with xylazine-related skin wounds, we coordinate with wound care specialists and ensure ongoing wound management throughout the treatment process.
• Extended medical monitoring: Xylazine's effects on the cardiovascular and nervous system require more intensive monitoring during detox than standard opioid withdrawal protocols alone.

After stabilization through medical detox, patients transition to our residential or outpatient treatment program for the behavioral therapy and recovery support needed to address the psychological dimensions of addiction. See our pages on fentanyl addiction treatment and medical detox at Hope Harbor for more information.

Xylazine Treatment FAQs