Smoking Heroin: Signs, Dangers and Treatment

What is Heroin?

Heroin is an extremely powerful and potent drug that can have intense effects on the brain’s reward systems. This substance falls into the drug class known as opioids which are known for their ability to help treat chronic pain, as well as their high risk for addiction. Smoking heroin can raise the risk of addiction even higher, with a fast onset and nearly immediate effects.

Heroin comes from the opiate morphine, and directly affects the areas of the brain that produce the feel-good chemicals dopamine and norepinephrine. In fact, it produces such high levels of these endorphins that even using heroin for only a short period of time can cause addiction.

Even just one incident of heroin use can lead to abuse of this substance. This is part of what makes this drug so dangerous. Unfortunately, many people underestimate the strength of this drug, partaking in this substance use despite the various negative consequences it may have.

How is Heroin Commonly Used?

Some of the most common methods of heroin use include injecting, snorting, and smoking this substance. In some cases, individuals may also choose to mix heroin with other illegal drugs, making this already dangerous substance even more threatening. When most people think about heroin they often visualize a person nodding off with a needle sticking out of their arm.

While in most cases injecting heroin is the preferred method of delivery for this drug, many people prefer to smoke heroin. This is because this can give the user the same effects as injecting heroin while minimizing some of the risks this may come with. However, while perhaps a less dangerous form of heroin use, any administration of this drug is extremely dangerous.

The Different Ways to Smoke Heroin

Heroin can be smoked in numerous ways. The most common method of smoking heroin is to smoke it by itself. Typically, a heroin user will place an amount of the drug on a piece of tin foil. A lighter is then used for heating heroin from under the foil, creating a vapor from it. Once the heroin starts to melt it produces white smoke and the vapor will run down the foil.

The user will then follow the smoke, or “chase” it and inhale the smoke through a pen tube or straw, commonly called a hooter. This process is often associated with the term “Chasing the Dragon.” In addition to being smoked on foil, heroin can also be smoked in small glass pipes or from other similar devices.

While heroin is often smoked by itself, it may also be combined with other drugs. This can produce a different or stronger “high” effect. Each different combination of drugs comes with their own unique side-effects and different highs, and may include:

• Heroin and Marijuana
• Heroin and Ecstasy
• Heroin and Cocaine
• Heroin and Crack

Heroin smokers also often use this drug alongside alcohol abuse, as this can produce various mind-altering effects. However, the side effects of this combined substance use can also be life-threatening, increasing the risk of overdose and other health complications.

Is Smoking Heroin a Dangerous Method of Drug Abuse?

Most users believe that since they are not injecting the drug they are not at risk for the major side effects caused by heroin. However, this is by no means a “safer” way to use heroin, it is just as dangerous and deadly no matter how you use the drug.

Any type of heroin use is dangerous, but smoking heroin comes with its own unique type of side effects. Smoking the drug can cause severe damage to the lungs and increase the risk of respiratory diseases. Other risks also occur with black tar heroin, the most commonly smoked form, including the easy concealment of dangerous impurities and potential adulterants.

Side Effects of Smoking Heroin

There are many side effects that may occur when someone chooses to smoke heroin, which may occur over short and longer periods of time. Whether using this drug once or multiple times, these effects are often severe, and may even become fatal if not properly addressed.

Short-Term Side Effects

After smoking heroin, the user will start to feel the effects within minutes as the smoke travels into the lungs and brain. This will likely start with a dry mouth and flushed skin. The user’s pupils will likely contract, and they may start to feel heavy, fading in and out of consciousness.

Furthermore, their thinking will be unclear and memory can be spotty, while the individual’s decision-making abilities and self-control will deteriorate. Other physical short-term signs of smoking heroin also include itching, nausea and vomiting.

Long-Term Side Effects

When it comes to the long-term effects of smoking this drug, heroin often leads to severe health consequences that, if left untreated, can lead to death. This is why it is never recommended to engage in this (or any) form of substance abuse, even if the intention is to only use it once.

Pneumonia and bronchitis are just two of the diseases that smoking heroin can cause. One of the major and most common symptoms is coughing and hoarseness. Users can have a hacking cough that can, at times, result in them coughing up blood. This hoarse, raspy cough can result in an increase in the usage of medications such as cough medicine, throat sprays, or lozenges.

This hacking cough can also lead to asthma in which a user will need a nebulizer and medication in order to deal with the effects of asthma. Hoarseness can also be caused by smoking heroin. A user will often lose their voice or find it difficult to speak.

Short and labored breathing when performing any activity, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and other breathing issues are all effects associated with smoking heroin. In addition to the lungs, damage to the brain, heart, liver, and kidneys can also occur from prolonged heroin abuse, whether this substance is being smoked, injected, or administered in any other way.

Can You Overdose from Smoking Heroin?

No matter how heroin is used, opioids like this one can always present a risk of overdose. This is a side effect that can quickly become life-threatening and will require emergency medical treatment in order to be properly addressed. In the event of any form of a drug overdose, a witnessing individual should call 911 or their area’s emergency helpline immediately.

If the person is overdosing on heroin, and the medication naloxone is available, this should be administered immediately. If this medication is not on-hand, remaining with the overdose victim and helping to ensure their airway stays clear is the next best thing to do. Administering CPR or rolling the individual on their side to prevent choking should they vomit can also be helpful.

Signs of Heroin Overdose

Knowing how to recognize the signs of a heroin overdose can be life-saving. Signs that will indicate someone has smoked – or otherwise ingested – too much of this drug may include:

• Pin-point pupils.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Slow, shallow, or lack of breathing.
• Cold, pale, or blue-tinted skin, lips, and/or fingernails.
• Choking, gagging, or gurgling noises.

Who is at Risk for Smoking Heroin?

Anyone is capable of becoming addicted to heroin, regardless of their background. With that being said, there are various factors that may make certain individuals more likely to engage in substance abuse. These may include:

• A personal or family history of substance abuse
• Unstable or negative work, home, and school environments
• Negative social influences, such as peer pressure (more common amongst young adults)

In addition to these, one of the biggest factors that may contribute to a person’s involvement in drug or alcohol abuse if they have underlying mental health conditions. In particular, those which have gone undiagnosed or untreated.

Understanding the Relationship Between Addiction and Mental Health

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), those struggling with mental illness may abuse drugs and alcohol as a means of easing the painful thoughts and emotions caused by their conditions. While this may offer temporary relief from these feelings, over time, it will only make these effects worse.

In some cases, their substance abuse can actually lead to the development of additional mental health issues. This is because addictive substances can significantly – and even permanently – alter the chemical structure of your brain.

Recognizing an Opioid Addiction

In many cases, heroin users may have a hard time accepting that their habits have become problematic. However, addressing that there is an issue is the first and most important step to being able to overcome their addiction. As with any other form of opioid addiction, there are several signs that may indicate that you or a loved one is struggling with heroin abuse, such as:

 

• Continuing to use heroin despite this causes issues at work, home, or school.
• Being unsuccessful to reduce or stop substance use on one’s own.
• Experiencing intense drug cravings.
• Building a tolerance to heroin, or having to use in higher amounts/more frequently to achieve the desired effect.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using or reducing heroin.

 

Smoking heroin also comes with its own unique tell-tale signs of use. In order to smoke heroin there are certain items needed, called paraphernalia. Paraphernalia associated with smoking heroin include:

• Tiny baggies
• Tan/whitish powdery residue
• Dark/sticky residue
• Tinfoil with black residue
• Balled up pieces of tinfoil
• Pen tubes/straws or the like (used for inhaling heroin)
• Small glass pipes
• Lighters
• Black residue on fingers or clothing

Heroin Addiction Treatment Methods

There are many substance abuse treatment options available for those who are seeking help to overcome their addiction to heroin. What levels of care will be best for you will vary based on your specific care needs. Speaking with your healthcare provider or an addiction specialist, such as a Find Addiction Rehabs representative, can help you narrow down your treatment options.

Medical Detox

A medically-supervised detox process helps to manage and prevent heroin withdrawal symptoms for those recovering from this substance use disorder.  These individuals will receive constant clinical support and supervision, helping them to safely get through one of the hardest parts of addiction recovery.

In many cases, this may include medication-assisted treatment, such as the use of buprenorphine and methadone, to further manage and prevent withdrawal effects. These can also help reduce drug cravings, significantly decreasing an individual’s chances of relapse.

Inpatient Treatment

For those recovering from more severe heroin addictions, an inpatient treatment facility can offer them a highly structured and supportive recovery environment. These treatment centers help remove individuals from outside temptations and triggers, as well as constant access to recovery tools and resources.

Outpatient Treatment

Outpatient treatment centers provide more flexible and affordable care than may be offered by intensive recovery services, such as medical detox and inpatient programs. These programs allow individuals to live at home throughout their treatment process, giving them the opportunity to continue managing their work, home, or other external obligations.

Finding Heroin Addiction Recovery Services and Substance Abuse Treatment Options Near You

If you feel that you or your loved one is smoking heroin, it is important that you get the necessary help right away. Most heroin users will not ask for help, even though they greatly need it. Fortunately, you are not alone in finding the treatment options and recovery services that are best for you or your loved one.

There are a number of treatment centers and recovery programs that can help you and your loved one by providing much-needed support, and serving all of your personal care needs. Call the experts at Find Addiction Rehabs at our 24/7 hotline today, and we will help you get started on your path to addiction recovery, where you can achieve long-term sobriety!

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