this post was submitted on 17 Oct 2024
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[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 59 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

To be fair, "gas station heroin" is a pretty apt description.

And the way it's sold, people get hooked before they realize what's going.

It's crazy that's stuff legal but cannabis isn't.

I mean, this dude is likely a giant asshole, and fuck him.

But this stuff fucks over a lot of lives of people with no idea what they're taking.

[–] khannie@lemmy.world 15 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

What is gas station heroin if you wouldn't mind filling me in?

[–] zarp86@sh.itjust.works 25 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] khannie@lemmy.world 15 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Thanks.

Crazy stuff.

The drug's true identity emerged after researchers figured out it's a type of opioid — one that does, in fact, work in a way that's similar to heroin

Aptly named at least. Honestly was not expecting actual opiates for sale with petrol.

[–] Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works 12 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It has Mu receptor activity at very large doses, it is a (somewhat) effective anti depression response at low doses.

What that all means is that the withdrawals from long term use as an opiate, rather than an antidepressant are absolutely legendary. Imagine having to withdraw from Heroin... but also you have to withdraw from a large dose of antidepressant at the same time... terrifying.

[–] Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

You know what else does that? Massive amounts of loperimide. It also causes heart problems and can kill you, but you get a minor buzz from it if you eat 100 of them.

I will never understand someone who clearly already has a drug dealer choosing to do dirtier versions of their drugs. Why not drop the cocaine and stick to those dick pills they sell at the gas stations at that point?

While I'm at it, I don't understand coke heads either. What an awful drug to try and enjoy.

[–] Corkyskog@sh.itjust.works 3 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

I will never understand someone who clearly already has a drug dealer choosing to do dirtier versions of their drugs.

Then you don't fully understand the bottoms of addiction and the unreliability of drug dealers. People will go through extreme efforts to avoid withdrawal.

[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Too right they will.

They sell my drug in all the gas stations, advertise it on TV, billboards and radio, just about every restaurant serves it.

And yet, there are still alcoholics that will drink sanitizer if that's all they can get and the shakes and sweats have started. I never drank sanitizer, but that doesn't mean much, knowing what I did do when I still drank.

[–] Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I think most alcoholics would rather steal a tall boy or two than drink hand sanitizer.

[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

'Would rather' implies options.

[–] Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Theres always options. Addiction means usually you will start considering riskier and riskier behaviors to get your drug. Even if the alcoholic has hand sanitizer, it'll be gone quickly and then what? Hobble to the corner store and hustle or steal. Depends on the person though what they consider risky of course.

If someone's consistently drinking hand sanitizer in this day and age then they are likely ignorant. Liquor is cheaper than hand sanitizer as well.

Also most of those gas station analogues of illicit drugs are for people on probation. They can use them and pass drug tests.

[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Please, explain in 3 paragraphs your lack of direct experience with addiction.

[–] Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 0 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Because theres only one type of addict in the world right?

I'm open to be proven wrong, is there cases of alcoholics poisoning themselves with hand sanitizer still?

[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It's common enough you're not going to find news stories about it unless there's some special circumstance to make it newsworthy.

It is the reason the NIH reduces the amount of alcohol in the ER sanitizer dispensers.

I also know people have emptied a whole hospital floor's sanitizers in pursuit of relief from the DTs.

[–] Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 0 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

You know first hand of a scenario like that? Were they on psychiatric hold or something? Why would a hospital not treat DTs?

Edit: is there hand sanitizer that isnt dangerous to drink? That might be where I'm getting hung up.

[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

You're getting hung up on talking about something you have no experience of.

[–] Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

And you have drank hand sanitizer? My experience is that even as an alcoholic I would never drink it because the general consensus around my area is it would kill you or blind you.

So yes I'm very skeptical that anyone regularly drinks hand sanitizer.

Maybe in your area hand sanitizer is just vodka in a bottle though so who knows.

[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Just stop. You don't know what you're talking about and you're insulting people who have real afflictions you fucking sociopath.

Edit: wow just clocked the comment history. Blocked. Good luck never knowing real connection.

[–] Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

Could have just proven me wrong but thats cool. I was able to find some information without it anyways so that worked out fine.

Good thing you were here to defend alcoholics who drink hand sanitizer though, I'm sure I hurt their feelings immensely.

[–] Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

I did say choosing, as it appears this was. But yes desperate addicts will take anything.

A box of imodium isnt all that dissimilar to what was mentioned in this post.

[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

petrol

I think this is a uniquely American problem due to our low regulations and ridiculous drug laws.

But for the most part things need to be explicitly outlawed, and everything else is fair game to be sold for human consumption as a "supplement".

We went thru it with "Spice" and your country may have as well. They used analogs to THC, and at first it really felt like weed. But we'd outlaw the current one, and the company had the next one already in production. Stores/gas stations would literally have the next generation in the back so they could rotate the day the current one was outlawed.

Like, I remember back in the day when I played sports, lots of guys wouldn't take a weightlifting supplement that had been on the market more than two years... Because anything "good" would have been taken off the market by then.

It's just a revolving door where no one really knows what's anything.

So even tho this is and opioid, no one checked if it was safe first, and when it's outlawed it'll be tweaked just enough to be something new. And that "new" version will have more negatives and less positives, but if you're hooked on the old kind, you're gonna use the new kind over nothing. Or maybe move to legit black market.

[–] khannie@lemmy.world 5 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Yeah we had something similar here for a while. "Head shops" were selling bath salts and spice and what not.

The government struggled to catch up because the next analogue was ready to go the second any ban came in.

Eventually they brought out what was essentially a "fuck this shit" piece of legislation. Was a good few years ago now. More than ten if memory serves. It all shut down overnight.

Things are way more regulated here though in general (Ireland). I can't even buy melatonin over the counter which honestly is both stupid and annoying.

Edit: We do still have the good sudafed though. One with two paracetamol is great for a hangover. :)

[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

We do still have the good sudafed though

Interesting flex to admit none of you can figure out how to make and sell meth.

/s

[–] khannie@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

You jest, but the average Irish junkie just isn't as enterprising as the average American one. :D

[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It's the bootstraps.

Or... a side effect of living our whole lives on the financial brink of starvation or homelessness forcing us into a mindset and culture where we're always seeking to monetize things because that's all we know to do since our entire culture is bent towards growing the economy.

Nah, it's the bootstraps.

[–] khannie@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

Lol. It is, in fact, the bootstraps. You were right all along.

Edit: I know we're having a laugh here but that whole bootstraps thing does seem very harsh from the outside. Like I've spent a lot of time in the US (more than 6 months over the course of my life over various trips) and I'm genuinely very fond of the place, but the whole lack of social support structure does seem kinda ruthless from the outside looking in.

[–] stringere@sh.itjust.works 2 points 3 weeks ago

the whole lack of social support structure does seem kinda ruthless from the outside looking in.

It absolutely, depressingly, and soul crushingly is. Send help. Better still: ask your governments to grant US citizens asylum. I'm ok with leaving these sado-masochists to ouroboros themselves.

[–] jballs@sh.itjust.works 29 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

One of JD Vance’s key policy advisers, Aaron Kofsky, has for years posted extensively on Reddit about using a variety of drugs, including cocaine and opiates, under the username PsychoticMammal. In the posts, which are as recent as three months ago, Kofsky wrote about experiencing withdrawal from and trying to “kick” tianeptine—also known as “gas station heroin”—and kratom; advised other users on how to transport drugs on domestic flights; and called Vance “a Trump boot licker.”

Lol these guys all know the guy directly above them is a piece of shit, but that doesn't stop them from supporting them.

[–] KingGordon@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago

That’s called being evil.

[–] inb4_FoundTheVegan@lemmy.world 19 points 3 weeks ago

After WIRED contacted Kofsky for comment, some of PsychoticMammal’s posts about drugs were deleted, and their Poshmark avatar was changed to a picture of characters from the Star Wars movie Attack of the Clones.

This right here is the funniest goddamn thing I have ever read. Way to confirm it's your account AND confirm your a huge unserious dork.

[–] RoidingOldMan@lemmy.world 19 points 3 weeks ago

A different user commented on the post, pointing out Kofsky and writing, “that dude on the right behind him looks high on something lol.”

PsychoticMammal then agreed with the user, writing, “Haha I didn’t notice that guy before. His eyes are def buggin. Maybe snorted some ole white girl beforehand? I’m sure half of congress rails lines.”

[–] bizzle@lemmy.world 18 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Trump is going to die in office and JD Vance will be the president. Jesus Christ could you even imagine a JD Vance presidency?

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[–] kat_angstrom@lemmy.world 16 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Worth checking out the Search Engine podcast about Kratom & Tianeptine, "The Mystery of the Vape Shop Kratom". It's absolutely nuts that this stuff has zero oversight

[–] Biskii@lemmy.dbzer0.com 6 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Sounds like this could be right up my alley. Thanks for the recommendation

[–] Unimperfect@lemmy.world 7 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

For a second, I thought you were thanking them for recommending drugs. Might need to get some sleep.

[–] Biskii@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 3 weeks ago

Oh, uh, yeah, definitely meant the podcast. Yup. Never drugs

[–] JustZ@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Same. I was like man what a polite fiend.

[–] smokebuddy@lemmy.today 12 points 3 weeks ago
[–] noride@lemm.ee 10 points 3 weeks ago

That is exactly the kind of mustache I'd expect to dabble in gas station pills and research chemicals.

[–] wise_pancake@lemmy.ca 10 points 3 weeks ago

Never EVER let anyone figure out your Reddit username.

[–] Imgonnatrythis@sh.itjust.works 9 points 3 weeks ago

So typical redittor?

[–] WhiteOakBayou@lemmy.world 8 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Tianeptine was common in noot stacks sometime around 2013 (I don't quite remember when I dropped that hobby) and it is weird. A little is good, more is better but it is moreish. I can see why people who are buying these little drinks by the case are ODing and sometimes dying. I'm not saying I think this stuff should be regulated but I think the lack of regulation overall leads people to think that it must be safe because it's at a gas station. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. Phenazepam is one such example from my reckless days.

[–] 31337@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

Yeah, I used to occasionally use tianeptine to self-medicate on days when I was really depressed (hard to get out of bed depressed). Worked well for that, because regular anti-depressants take about a month to start really working, and tianeptine took about 30 minutes, IIRC. I never found tianeptive very "enjoyable" or intoxicating though. I used to use MXE for a similar purpose; and also recreationally sometimes.

[–] JustZ@lemmy.world 1 points 3 weeks ago

Mmmm panda.

[–] Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 8 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

How are news organizations suddenly tieing people to their internet handles? They have to have proof I'd think.

Is this the new thing cause I'm sure a ton of people thought they could say whatever under a random name and noone would ever know.

[–] FarFarAway@startrek.website 24 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

From the article:

A WIRED investigation shows Kofsky is also the person posting as PsychoticMammal. The account has posted personal details that precisely match Kofsky’s résumé, and has linked to a little-followed Instagram account dedicated to photos of Kofsky wearing preppy outfits. A review of publicly available material from data breaches provided by Constella Intelligence shows that Kofsky’s personal email address was used to set up a “PsychoMammal” account on a photography site. Furthermore, the PsychoticMammal name was used on Poshmark by a user whose avatar is a photo of Kofsky. It was also used on Tumblr by someone who linked to—and claimed as his own—a Blogspot maintained by a user named Aaron Kofsky, who posted personal details that match details of Kofsky’s biography.

Apparently, this guy left a huge trail... Edit: plus data breaches...

[–] socsa@piefed.social 7 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

It's always just bad opsec like sharing names and emails across social media. Here, the dude linked to his own Instagram account. In the NC governor case, the dude used the same handle attached to the same email everywhere. It may seem obvious to us that this is creating an easily searchable permanent index of a person's internet history, but lots of people legitimately do not understand how that works, and imagine that some obscure porn forum is relatively private.

Also, we are now in an era where most people actually have a decade or more of history on the internet which can be potentially dug up, so the media is putting more effort into pulling those threads.

[–] Rekorse@sh.itjust.works 1 points 3 weeks ago

I guess I always thought there was room to deny it as they can't say someone didnt hack his email and setup the account and say all those things. Of course it might be outlandish given how far back messages might go, but still, I thought it was harder to get "digital proof" so to speak.

[–] UnderpantsWeevil@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago

Y'all are ragging on him for being a Vance guy, but this is all good advice.

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