Hey. New here. We live on an area that is unsafe for trick or treating (main road adjacent)

What's a good neighborhood to go trick or treat?

I don’t have many friends and i am looking for new friends, i have really bad anxiety so it’s hard for me to make friends I like music, video games, going to local events in my area, and i wanna get back into the gym

Hi! I’m down here in Toms River and would like to get my grandfathers bathroom and kitchen deep cleaned. He has a small place- and I’m no good at cleaning. I went looking through the thread but didn’t see a similar post. Any recommendations? What is the typical cost for a small kitchen, one full bath and one half bath for a really deep clean?

Thanks in advance!

It’s right here in Toms River! What a disgraceful performance from the mayor and his lemmings. https://patch.com/new-jersey/tomsriver/toms-river-moves-repeal-redevelopment-chaotic-council-meeting

I don’t have many friends and i am looking for new friends, i have really bad anxiety so it’s hard for me to make friends I like music, video games, going to local events in my area, and i wanna get back into the gym

Full article (with pictures and charts) available here.

Summary

Note: Xylazine has hit New Jersey harder than most states; nearly half of all heroin / fentanyl in New Jersey now contains xylazine ("tranq"). The percentage of statewide fent samples testing positive for xylazine and the number of fatal ODs involving xylazine are both still increasing as of mid-2024. In terms of current public health efforts, this article from March 2024 discusses grants awarded to five nonprofits operating in Toms River / Ocean County and nearby areas that will address the opioid addiction epidemic, and it mentions care of xylazine wounds as an example of the "front lines" in the battle against addiction.

In the early 2000s, the veterinary anesthetic xylazine began to taint illegal drug supplies in Puerto Rico. From there, it spread to the East Coast of the United States, beginning in Philadelphia, where this so-called "tranq" dope attracted an ardent fan base.

At present, xylazine has been found in fentanyl and heroin samples from throughout the continental United States. It is most prevalent in the South and Northeast.

Drug Enforcement Agency statistics indicate that in 2022, 23% of seized fentanyl powder contained xylazine.

Fast Fact #1 - Xylazine is a Veterinary Tranquilizer

Xylazine belongs to a group of chemicals known as phenothiazines.

Significantly, this group of structurally related compounds also includes tricyclic antidepressants and the alpha-adrenergic agonist clonidine, a blood pressure regulator that is used to mitigate the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and anxiety caused by opioid withdrawal.

In veterinary medicine, xylazine is used as a surgical anesthetic for horses, rabbits, and other animals because it produces sedation, muscle relaxation, and analgesia (decreased pain).

Possible medical uses of xylazine for humans were investigated, but its side effects, particularly bradycardia (slow heart rate) and hypotension (low blood pressure), were judged to be too severe.

Fast Fact #2 - Xylazine Boosts the Effects of Fentanyl

The vast majority of the xylazine available in the United States is combined with fentanyl in so-called "tranq" dope.

When taken on its own, xylazine is unlikely to be particularly recreational.* However, when mixed with fentanyl, it increases the sedation, respiratory depression, and other effects of fentanyl.

*During college, I injected veterinary xylazine; trip report available here. In addition, I wrote about xylazine hitting the dope supply in my home city in Upstate New York here.

Mixing xylazine with fentanyl causes a "nod" that is much closer to anesthetized unconsciousness than to your average, in-and-out heroin or fentanyl high.

Fast Fact #3 - Xylazine Increases the Chance and Severity of Overdose

Because it increases the respiratory depression and low blood pressure caused by fentanyl, xylazine greatly increases the risk of OD.

Because xylazine is not an opioid, Narcan [naloxone] is not effective in reversing xylazine overdose. However, Narcan should still be administered in cases of suspected OD because the majority of xylazine in the U.S. is sold in combination with illicit fentanyl powder and pills.

There is no approved antidote or reversal agent for xylazine overdose; treatment consists of supportive care involving mechanical ventilation in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Fast Fact #4 - Xylazine Causes Skin Sores That Can Lead to Sepsis and Amputation

For reasons that are not yet understood, in some users, xylazine causes widespread skin lesions that appear 24 to 48 hours after first use.

These ulcers begin as pea- to penny-sized, semicircular lesions found on the arms, legs, face, and other areas (see pic below). They grow rapidly for as long as xylazine is ingested, and they have a tendency to become infected.

Infection of the ulcers can lead to sepsis, in which bacteria spread to the blood, causing multi-organ-system damage and death.

The rate of amputations is very high in xylazine users relative to users of fentanyl, heroin, and other illicit opioids not mixed with xylazine.

Once the user stops ingesting xylazine, the ulcers gradually disappear over a period of days to weeks (so long as infection is resolved and they are kept clean to promote healing).

However, the sores can cause significant, long-term scarring.

Important Note: These xylazine sores are not related to route of administration. They appear whether the xylazine is snorted, injected, or smoked.

Harm Reduction / Risk Mitigation Strategies

If you are using fentanyl in the United States in 2024, it is very likely that at least some of the dope that you are snorting or injecting contains xylazine.

It is imperative that you obtain test strips for xylazine, which are available for free from a variety of government divisions / agencies as well as nonprofit groups.

In New York State, for example, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) will send you xylazine test strips for free (order form here; Narcan [naloxone] and other harm reduction supplies are available as well).

If you have recently ingested what you believe to be tranq dope and have even a single sore anywhere on your body, you need to go to a doctor and obtain a broad-spectrum antibiotic immediately. It is quite possible that life and limb depend upon it.

Carpe Diem Before There Isn't Any Diem Left To Carpe

The wave of fatal xylazine-fentanyl overdoses that the U.S. is currently experiencing is reminiscent of the period in 2015-2016 when fentanyl began replacing heroin in the U.S. illicit opioid supply, as a result of which addicts were dropping like flies.

There has never been a better time to get clean and sober - while you still have all four limbs and haven't sustained severe brain damage from an OD!

Use the resources below to find a 12-Step meeting and / or an opioid maintenance treatment provider.

As always, feel free to use the "Contact" form or Instagram (concreteconfessional) to reach me with questions.

Buprenorphine and Methadone Provider Directories

Find a Sublocade treatment provider (injectable buprenorphine)

*Brixadi is another injectable formulation that you might want to look into

SAMSHA's Buprenorphine Treatment Practitioner Locator

*In certain states, you might be able to obtain buprenorphine by e-consultation. I recommend avoiding this whenever possible because A) these doctors tend to be more expensive, and B) I have heard about too much sketchiness tied to these providers. Very few ethical clinicians are willing to dole out buprenorphine without seeing you face-to-face and drug testing you randomly.

Zubsolv find a doctor (sublingual buprenorphine)

SAMHSA Opioid Treatment Program Directory

*Includes methadone clinic listings

12-Step Meetings (Alcoholics Anonymous [AA] and Narcotics Anonymous [NA])

Intherooms.com has daily, digital meetings at many different times and with many different foci / themes throughout the week.

The official meeting listings for your area are best found by Googling the nearest town or city or the name of the region that you live in plus "AA meetings" or "NA meetings" (so, I use the Syracuse AA Intergroup website and the Heart of New York page on the Northern NY NA site). 

Intherooms.com has a meeting directory, as well.

Alternatively, you can call your state's addiction treatment division for help finding 12-Step and SMART Recovery meetings.

In New York State, the Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) has a helpline that will help you to connect with treatment resources (1-877-8-HOPENY).

Stay safe and keep your heads up!

Good afternoon, everyone! I’m looking for some good study spots in Toms River. I’m not an OCC student, but I come home often. I’ve tried the Ocean County Library in Manchester, but it’s not quite the vibe I’m looking for. I’d prefer places with outlets and maybe some comfy chairs. Any suggestions?

I live in south Ocean County looking for a full time career. Currently working 2 jobs yet i cant afford to live.

I'm a Tradesman at heart and would love to peruse a career in electric but i have little experience. However I am open to all opportunities that have a pay equal or more to my current desk job to better support my family, iv applied to dozens of places but no one is looking to hire someone with no field experience. i believe i am quiet smart, i learn quick and have already a basic understanding of most trades. does anyone know of any places hiring in ocean county that will give me a chance

Just got a job in the area and am wondering what I should know? What’s your favorite grocery store? Do we have a chick fil a?

I’m 28m and definitely need to meet some people, what are some bars where I can meet people around my age? Best hibachi restaurant in town? Stuff like that. Id get into a DND group if anyone has room.

Thanks in advance

26m bored no friends

Is there anybody that can recommend a good general practitioner doctor in the Toms River area? I was not too thrilled with my last doctor and I need to find one soon if possible.

Thank you in advance for any suggestions

Guarana soda. I've seen the 2 liter bottles at Shoprite but I wouldn't drink half of it before it goes flat.

I got the daily usps email showing me what mail was coming early last week showing ballots were going to be delivered. Still nothing yet though. It does say to allow a week for mail to arrive when the email says it's coming.

Just wondering if anyone else in town has gotten theirs yet?

Body rub places and call girls in this town. My buddy mentioned it, and I thought he was joking… but wow. It’s everywhere. Why tho?

23m, don’t really have any friends, I am looking for more. I have a lot of anxiety so i find it difficult to make friends

Hello - I am trying to find my father a primary care doctor in the Toms River area (geriatric specialist if possible as he is almost 80) and we are not happy with his current care. Can anyone recommend one in the vicinity?

Hello

I am curious about this toxic groundwater from a company waste dumping into the ground . Is this still an issue? Is the water clean?

I read about a string of cancer cases due to contaminated water, which appears to have been in the 1900s (lmao) so quite a while ago. Just want to make sure that I’m not making a bad choice by moving to this area.

Hi toms river sub reddit this is so embarrassing i literally made a throwaway account 😬 I have friends, but none of them have the same interests as me - or anything in common with me at all.

Im a nerd who enjoys cartoons, musicals, rpgs, and karaoke. Im just wondering if there are other cartoon musical rpg and karaoke enjoyers that just wanna hang out and have fun

im too nervous to think of anything else to say bye :)

If you know her, let he know I said Hi.