Does CATC treat addictions to substances other than opioids?

CATC is currently focused on treating Opioid Use Disorder. That said, our patients often present addiction to opioids and other substances, i.e., alcohol, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Our expert addiction treatment specialists support them in meeting their personal recovery goals.

How do I get started on a Methadone or Buprenorphine program?

CATC offers same-day intake appointments in all our centres. We recognize that when you are ready to start your recovery journey, we need to be ready to support you. From our location page, select the location that is nearest to you and then either walk-in or call 1-877-937-2282 to start your intake virtually.

What should I expect during an intake appointment?

Our Intake appointments usually range from 60-90 minutes. Our CARE team will capture your medical history, discuss medication options, share information on how the treatment program works, and prepare for your initial assessment with an expert addiction medicine physician. You do not need a referral to start on our programs, walk-ins are welcomed. You will be asked to present your provincial health card to see a physician.

What are the costs of the program?

Our programs are usually delivered at no cost to the patient. In some cases, patients may have to pay for their medications or counseling services that are not covered by their provincial health plans. Our CARE teams will work with you to help determine the best plan to get the costs of your care covered.

How can I ensure that my personal information is kept confidential?

All client information is considered confidential. We will not release your personal health information to anyone without signed consent from you unless it is required by law.

I recently found out I was pregnant and need help; can I use Methadone to help with my withdrawal?

Methadone is a safe and effective way to manage opiate dependency during pregnancy. Treatment with Methadone prevents opioid withdraw, which can be dangerous for your baby. View our resource on Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy.

When can I expect to be free of my opioid addiction with treatment?

Addiction is a chronic and relapsing condition. Every patient, depending on their history and recovery goals, will take a unique recovery journey. The ultimate goal of the program is to improve our patient’s quality of life across many dimensions – including ensuring the presence of a home, a job, and a friend for those who have lost so much because of their addiction. Methadone and Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone®), when taken as prescribed, are safe and effective medications. This decision to taper off these medications should be made with your physician to ensure the best chance of success for you and prevent sudden onset withdrawal. People who are most successful at tapering off treatment, have generally been abstinent from illicit drugs for more than a year and are demonstrating a high level of functional stability, i.e., gainfully employed, presence of positive/supportive social relationships.

How often do I have to come to the treatment centre?

Your visit frequency will change as your stability increases. In early recovery, you will see your doctor 1-2 times a week to get your dose adjusted and you will see your pharmacist daily for the first 2-3 months. As your drug use declines, you will see your physician less – usually 1 time per month and visit your pharmacist 2-4 times per month. CATC offers integrated medical and pharmacy services, so there is no need to visit multiple locations.

When can I get my medications to take at home?

Once you have been on the program for 4-8 weeks you may be eligible for take-home doses. You will start with one dose, and as you gain stability these will increase. There are clinical guidelines that our physicians follow to determine take-home eligibility; physicians also utilize their clinical judgment based on your specific situation.

How often do I have to complete a urine drug screen during treatment?

Frequency of Urine Drug Screens also changes as you become more and more stable. In the first few months of treatment, you will be required to produce a urine sample 1-2 times per week to help the physician understand your use patterns. We also use urine drug screens to ensure that you are taking the medication that is being prescribed, as diversion of prescription medications is common. In some cases, your physician will ask for a random urine drug screen; this practice helps us identify and prevent any unsuspected medication diversion that may be occurring.

If I use drugs while on the program, am I kicked off?

Absolutely not. We recognize drug use and relapses are part of the recovery journey. It is important to remember that using other drugs while on Methadone or Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone®) can be dangerous. There have been reported deaths because of the combination of Methadone with alcohol, opioids, cocaine, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and/or tranquilizers. If you have been prescribed or are using other medications, please disclose this to your CATC physician so they can make an informed decision on your treatment.

Do you recommend Methadone or Buprenorphine/Naloxone (Suboxone®)?

The best medication for you is based on many factors and the decision should be made with advice from your physician. Both medications have their pros and cons and there is emerging evidence that medication choice should be influenced by the amount and type of opiates that are being used. In a recent survey of our patients, 67% of those who had tried both medications said Methadone worked best for them. This is consistent with data reported from other countries. Because CATC offers several medication types, you can always transition between medication types to see what works for you. Have a specific question? Please call us at 1-877-937-2282 or email info@canatc.ca.

What Is Flakka? Zombie Drug Facts, Risks and Treatment

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What Is Flakka? Understanding the “Zombie Drug” – Facts, Risks, and How to Get Help

What Is Flakka? Understanding the “Zombie Drug” – Facts, Risks, and How to Get Help

What Is Flakka – And Why Is It Called the “Zombie Drug”?

If you’ve landed here after watching a disturbing video or reading an alarming headline, you’re not alone. The search for answers about what flakka is often starts with fear, confusion, or concern for someone you love.

Here’s what matters: understanding what you’re dealing with is the first step toward knowing what to do next.

Flakka is a synthetic cathinone, chemically known as alpha-PVP, part of a broader class of lab-made stimulants sometimes grouped under the term “bath salts.” It’s not a household cleaner or something you’d find in a spa. It’s a potent, unpredictable synthetic drug that has caused serious harm and, in some cases, death.

The “zombie drug” nickname comes from videos showing people in extreme states of agitation, paranoia, and physical distress. We’ll explain what’s actually happening medically in those moments, and why the sensationalized framing does more harm than good.

In this article, we’ll cover:

What flakka actually is, and what it isn’t
The real effects on body and mind, separated from media exaggeration
Why it’s particularly dangerous
What treatment and support look like

Your concern is valid. According to the European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), treatment admissions for synthetic cathinones in Europe increased significantly between 2018 and 2023, reflecting a real and growing global pattern. If you or someone you care about has been affected by synthetic drug use, support is available.

What Is Flakka? The Facts Behind the Name

Flakka is the street name for alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP), a synthetic cathinone. That’s a mouthful, so let’s break it down.

Synthetic cathinones are lab-made stimulants chemically similar to cathinone, a naturally occurring compound found in the khat plant, a shrub native to East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Unlike the plant, synthetic versions are engineered for maximum potency, and they’re far more unpredictable.

The flakka name in English likely derives from Spanish slang “la flaca” (meaning “thin woman” or “skinny girl”), or it may reference the drug’s physical appearance: white or pink crystalline chunks with a flaky texture.

How It’s Used

Flakka can be swallowed in pill or capsule form, snorted as a powder, injected when dissolved in liquid, or vaporized using e-cigarettes or similar devices, a method that has become increasingly common. Vaporizing sends the drug directly to the bloodstream through the lungs, producing rapid and intense effects.

Flakka vs. Flake: Clearing Up the Confusion

Important distinction: “Flake” in drug slang typically refers to cocaine, specifically high-purity powder cocaine. Flakka (alpha-PVP) is a completely different substance with different risks, effects, and treatment approaches. Don’t confuse them.

According to the European Union Drugs Agency, 181 synthetic cathinone compounds have been reported to the EU Early Warning System since 1997, making them the second largest group of new psychoactive substances after cannabinoids. This constant evolution is part of what makes synthetic cathinones so dangerous. Regulators ban one compound, and chemists create a slightly modified variant that technically isn’t illegal yet.

What Flakka Does: Effects, Risks, and Warning Signs

The Immediate Effects

Flakka produces intense stimulant effects. Users often report powerful euphoria and heightened energy, increased alertness and talkativeness, feelings of invincibility or superhuman strength, and a racing heart with elevated blood pressure.

The drug floods dopamine and norepinephrine systems in the brain, creating a powerful but short-lived high. Effects typically last 3 to 5 hours, though residual symptoms can persist much longer.

The euphoria fades fast, but the craving doesn’t. This drives compulsive re-dosing, sometimes called “chasing the high.” Users may take dose after dose in a single session, dramatically increasing their risk of overdose and medical emergency.

The “zombie” behaviour seen in viral videos is a medical state called excited delirium, characterized by severe agitation and aggression, hyperthermia with body temperatures that can exceed 40.5 degrees Celsius, paranoid delusions and hallucinations, and seemingly unusual strength followed by sudden collapse. These effects are not a choice. They are a medical crisis.

Why Flakka Is Particularly Dangerous

Unpredictable potency is a major factor. Because flakka is manufactured in unregulated labs, doses vary wildly. What felt manageable one time could be lethal the next.

Hyperthermia risk is another critical concern. Flakka can push body temperatures to dangerous levels. Severe hyperthermia causes organ failure, brain damage, and death. According to peer-reviewed research published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, at least 80 deaths in Florida were attributed to flakka between September 2014 and December 2015, with 63 of those deaths occurring in Broward County alone over a 16-month period.

Polysubstance danger adds another layer of risk. Flakka is often mixed with fentanyl, synthetic cannabinoids, or other substances. It is sometimes sold disguised as MDMA or other drugs. Users frequently don’t know what they’ve actually taken.

Compulsive re-dosing driven by the short duration of euphoria combined with intense cravings creates dangerous binge patterns. And because long-term outcome studies remain limited, the full extent of neurological damage from repeated use is not yet fully understood. What we do know is that repeated use appears to damage dopamine systems, potentially causing lasting issues with mood, motivation, and cognitive function.

Flakka at a Glance: Key Facts

Factor	Detail
Chemical name	Alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone (alpha-PVP)
Drug class	Synthetic cathinone (stimulant)
Common forms	White or pink crystals, powder
Methods of use	Swallowed, snorted, injected, vaporized
Duration of effects	3 to 5 hours (residual effects may last longer)
Primary risks	Hyperthermia, psychosis, cardiac events, overdose death
Overdose reversal	No specific antidote; supportive emergency care required

Flakka is a powerful synthetic stimulant with a narrow margin between a high and a medical emergency. The effects are intense, the risks are unpredictable, and there is no quick fix if things go wrong.

How Flakka Fits Into the Bigger Picture of Drug Use

To understand where flakka sits in the global drug landscape, some context helps. According to the UNODC World Drug Report 2025, cannabis remains the most widely used substance globally with 244 million users, followed by opioids (61 million), amphetamines (30.7 million), cocaine (25 million), and ecstasy (21 million). The same report estimates that the 316 million people who used drugs globally in 2023 represent 6% of the population aged 15 to 64, up from 5.2% in 2013.

Synthetic cathinones represent a smaller but rapidly growing segment. Production has historically occurred in labs in China and India, though it increasingly occurs in domestic European facilities, making regulation more difficult.

Flakka in India

Many people search for information about flakka’s presence in India, including pricing and prevalence. Authoritative data on India-specific patterns remains limited. What we can say: synthetic cathinones are a global concern, and South Asia is not exempt. If you’re worried about synthetic drug use affecting you or someone in your life, regardless of where you are, the principles of getting help remain the same.

The “Flakka Zombie” Videos: What’s Real and What’s Exaggerated

You’ve probably seen them. Videos labelled “flakka zombie” show people acting in ways that seem extreme: erratic movements, apparent obliviousness to pain, bizarre behaviour in public spaces.

The Medical Reality

What looks like extreme or zombie-like behaviour is excited delirium syndrome, a recognized medical emergency. The person is experiencing severe psychosis where they may be hallucinating or completely disconnected from reality, dangerous hyperthermia where their body is overheating, extreme cardiovascular stress, and a state of agitation that can appear to give them unusual strength. This is not a supernatural effect. It is a stress response.

This is not possession. This is not someone choosing to behave this way. This is a person in a medical crisis who needs immediate intervention.

The Harm of Sensationalism

When media outlets frame these videos as “zombie drug” content, they do real harm. They dehumanize people in crisis. The person in that video is someone’s child, parent, sibling, or friend. They increase stigma, making people less likely to seek help because they fear being labelled a lost cause. And they spread fear without information, because viral videos get clicks but rarely explain what treatment looks like or that recovery is possible.

If you’ve watched those videos and you’re scared because they remind you of someone you love, or because you’ve experienced something similar yourself: treatment exists. People recover. You are not watching someone’s inevitable future.

Other Drug Terms You May Have Heard

Drug terminology is confusing, and street names change constantly. Here are answers to some common questions.

“Rock” in drug slang typically refers to crack cocaine, a smokable form of cocaine. It’s a completely different substance from flakka, with different effects and treatment approaches. If someone you know is using crack cocaine, visit our page on cocaine addiction treatment.

Common street names for codeine include Purple Drank, Lean, Sizzurp, and Captain Cody. Codeine is an opioid, an entirely different drug class from flakka. Opioid addiction has specific treatment pathways, including medication-assisted treatment.

Quick Reference: Common Drug Street Names

Flakka: Gravel, $5 Insanity, alpha-PVP
Flake: Cocaine (powder)
Rock: Crack cocaine
Lean/Purple Drank: Codeine cough syrup mixed with soda

Common Myths and Misunderstandings About Flakka

Myth: “Flakka turns people into actual zombies.”
Reality: Excited delirium is a medical emergency, not supernatural transformation. The behaviour is caused by severe overheating, psychosis, and cardiovascular stress.

Myth: “It’s just a party drug like MDMA.”
Reality: Flakka is far more unpredictable and dangerous. There is no safe recreational dose. What looks like a manageable amount can quickly become a medical emergency.

Myth: “You can tell if a drug contains flakka.”
Reality: Without drug checking services, it’s nearly impossible to know what’s in a substance. Flakka is often sold as other drugs or mixed with substances like fentanyl.

Myth: “Only certain types of people use synthetic drugs.”
Reality: Synthetic cathinone use crosses all demographics. The belief that addiction only affects “other people” prevents many from seeking help until a crisis occurs.

Myth: “There’s no treatment for synthetic stimulant addiction.”
Reality: Evidence-based treatment exists. Recovery is possible. The path forward may look different than for other substances, but it exists.

How to Get Help for Synthetic Drug Use

Recognizing When Support Is Needed

You don’t have to be sure it’s “bad enough” to reach out. Some signs that use has become a problem include an inability to stop or cut back despite wanting to, re-dosing compulsively especially in binge patterns, neglecting work, relationships, or responsibilities, physical health decline including weight loss, sleep problems, and dental issues, and episodes of paranoia or psychosis that frightened you afterward.

If you’re a family member watching someone you love, this guide on supporting a loved one with addiction may help.

What Treatment Looks Like

Treatment for synthetic stimulant use typically involves several components. Medical stabilization comes first if someone is in acute crisis with hyperthermia, psychosis, or cardiac symptoms. There is no specific medication to reverse flakka’s effects, unlike naloxone for opioids, so treatment is supportive and symptom-focused.

For many people, especially those with significant use histories or unstable home environments, inpatient residential care provides the intensive support needed. This means 24-hour medical supervision, therapy, and a break from triggers. Therapy and counselling address what drives the use. This might include cognitive behavioural therapy, trauma processing, or treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions. Ongoing support during withdrawal, which can involve severe depression and intense cravings, matters significantly for long-term outcomes.

If you’re not sure where to start, our intake team can help you understand your options, confidentially and without pressure. Reach out when you’re ready.

Harm Reduction in the Meantime

If someone isn’t ready for treatment, harm reduction strategies can still save lives. Never use alone. Let someone know what you’ve taken and have them check on you. Avoid mixing substances. Combining flakka with opioids, fentanyl, or alcohol dramatically increases overdose risk. Know the warning signs: extreme agitation, high body temperature, rapid heart rate, loss of consciousness. Don’t let fear stop you from calling 911.

An important note: naloxone does not reverse flakka’s effects because flakka is not an opioid. However, because flakka is often mixed with fentanyl, having naloxone available could still save a life if opioids are in the mix. Learn more about harm reduction services and overdose prevention.

Key Takeaways

Flakka (alpha-PVP) is a synthetic stimulant with serious, unpredictable risks, but it is also treatable
The “zombie drug” headlines describe medical emergencies, not hopeless cases or inevitable outcomes
Treatment pathways exist, including medical stabilization, inpatient care, therapy, and ongoing support
You don’t need to be certain about “how bad” things are to seek help
Recovery is possible, even from synthetic drug use

Moving Forward: You Don’t Have to Figure This Out Alone

Reaching out for information, like you’re doing now, takes courage. Whether you’re worried about yourself or someone you love, seeking support is a sign of self-awareness, not weakness.

If you’d like to talk through your options, our intake team is here to listen. No judgment. No pressure. Just honest answers about what help can look like for your situation.

Talk to our intake team or call 1-877-937-2282.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Please speak with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized guidance. If you or someone you know is experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room immediately.