Nyaope Addiction

Nyaope aka Whoonga is a popular drug in South Africa. It is a dangerous substance and it does kill. The drug first emerged in 2000 in the townships of Mamelodi, Atteridgeville, and Soshanguve and was found in Durban. Nyaope soon became the drug of choice in underprivileged communities as it is cheaper than many other street drugs.

What Is in Nyaope and Whoonga?

Nyaope is made using a lethal mix of low-grade heroin, detergents, ammonia, rat poison, tik and smoked using dagga.

Whoonga is similar to Nyaope but has some different ingredients, such as heroin, HIV antiretroviral medication, pool cleaner, milk powder, and bicarbonate of soda and it is also smoked with dagga.

One of the main ingredients used as a filler and enhances the drug effect. People who are addicted to nyaope and whoonga are often found stealing ARV medication from HIV patients and clinics. There have even been cases of people who sell their ARV medication to drug dealers for money. This is a massive health risk and it is stunting the treatment of patients with HIV.

How are Nyaope and Whoonga Used?

Nyaope is smoked with dagga and can also be snorted (inhalation through the nose). There have been cases of addicts selling their blood to other addicts. Using a syringe, they extract their blood and inject it into another addict for a fee, this is known as “Bluetooth”.
nyaope and whoonga addiction
  • Anxiety
  • Aggression
  • Backache
  • Chills
  • Constipation
  • Depression
  • Respiratory infections
  • Nausea
  • Restlessness
  • Sweating
  • abscesses
  • Collapsed veins
  • Coma
  • Damaged heart valves
  • Death
  • Kidney failure
  • Liver failure
  • Lung disease
  • Hepatitis and HIV from “bluetoothing”

Withdrawal Symptoms of Nyaope/Whoonga

The low-grade heroin that is used in Nyaope is highly addictive and withdrawal symptoms occur after 8 hours of stopping the drug. Withdrawal symptoms are one of the reasons Nyaope/whoonga addicts struggle to stop using the drug.

  • Aggression
  • Diarrhea
  • Insomnia
  • Mood swings
  • Severe stomach cramps
  • Vomiting

Withdrawal symptoms are extremely painful and can only be alleviated within a detox clinic. Without a proper medical detox, the Nyaope/whoonga addict will relapse or die.

Treatment for Nyaope/Whoonga

If you or someone you love is using Nyaope to escape from the emotional and stressful ups and downs of life and it is causing more pain than anything else – get help today and get your life back!

Giving up a lifetime of drugs is never an easy process, and it cannot be done alone. Contact ARCA rehabs today for a free assessment and take that first courageous step into the life that you deserve. We will be with you every step of the way throughout your healing process and beyond.

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