Millions of people in the United States and around the world struggle with substance abuse and addiction. Heroin is an illicit opioid drug with a significant risk for abuse and addiction. People may become addicted to heroin after using it for just a short period.
People may ingest heroin in several ways. Movies and other media often depict IV heroin use. However, people may also snort or smoke it.
All heroin use is dangerous, but smoking it has unique risks. This article will explore those risks. You will learn:
- How heroin addiction develops
- The dangers of smoking heroin
- The short and long-term risks of smoking heroin
- How to recognize a heroin overdose
- How to recognize and treat heroin addiction
- Where to find comprehensive treatment
It can be very challenging to overcome heroin addiction. People who become addicted to heroin typically require intensive treatment and support throughout detox and recovery.
If you or a loved one struggles with heroin abuse or addiction, find the treatment you need at First Step Behavioral Health. Contact our intake specialists to learn about our programs or to schedule your first appointment.
What is Heroin?
Heroin is an illicit drug derived from morphine, which is a product of the opium poppy plant. It is one of the most addictive illegal drugs available. Heroin is available most often as a white powder or a sticky, tarlike substance. People ingest heroin by injecting a liquid form of the drug, snorting it, or smoking it.
Heroin has immediate pleasurable side effects, including relaxation and euphoria. It affects areas of the brain responsible for pleasure, pain control, emotional regulation, and reward. Users may develop tolerance (needing more to get the same effect) and physical dependence after abusing it for a short time period.
It can be very challenging for people to overcome heroin addiction. Heroin users typically require intensive treatment to stop and ongoing support to maintain their recoveries. Contact the First Step Behavioral Health specialists to explore our treatment programs or schedule an intake appointment.
Common Heroin Slang Terms
People who use heroin or become addicted to it may use slang terms when talking about the drug. Knowing some standard heroin slang terms may help you identify a loved one’s heroin use so that you can seek treatment.
Some common slang terms for heroin include:
- H
- Dope
- Smack
- Horse
- Junk
- Brown
- Skag
- Black tar
- Rush hour
- Black pearl
- Sweet dreams
- Black eagle
- Top dog
- Mud
- Tiger
- White horse
- Snow
- Brown sugar
- Feelgood
- Gear
- Tar
- Sweet dreams
- Mexican black tar
- Birdie powder
- China white
- Dragon
- Euphoria
- Harry
- Snowball
Many of these terms refer to the drug’s effects on appearance. Knowing these terms can help you talk about heroin abuse more confidently or identify and treat it. This is especially important for parents. It can also assist concerned adults who may have concerns about drug use among young people.
Reach out to the specialists at First Step Behavioral Health to learn more about recognizing heroin abuse. You may also contact us to explore our treatment programs. Contact us with questions or to learn about the resources and services we provide.
Can You Smoke Heroin?
Movies, books, and TV shows often depict IV heroin abuse. When most people imagine heroin abuse, they may imagine someone injecting heroin. However, data collection from across the country suggests that smoking heroin is also common.
Heroin users may believe that smoking heroin reduces the risk of overdose and other complications, including:
- Skin and soft tissue infections
- Exposure to HIV, hepatitis, and other bloodborne infections
- Addiction
Some people who inject drugs may transition from injecting to smoking heroin as part of a harm reduction service. However, smoking does not necessarily lead to a reduction in heroin related complications.
Smoking heroin has unique risks. Smoking heroin introduces more of this dangerous drug into the bloodstream and brain quickly. This increases the risk of developing tolerance and addiction.
People who smoke heroin may still become addicted to it. They also face a significant risk of a life-threatening overdose. It is critical to seek treatment as soon as you recognize the signs of heroin abuse or addiction. Contact the First Step Behavioral Health specialists to learn about our treatment and recovery support programs. You may also reach out to schedule an intake appointment.
The Dangers of Smoking Heroin
People may smoke black tar heroin or the powdered form of the drug. Users typically heat heroin in tinfoil or glass pipes and then inhale the fumes. People may also add heroin to cigarettes or joints.
Inhaling the fumes from heated heroin allows the drug to reach the bloodstream quickly. It can be difficult to determine the amount of heroin someone is ingesting while smoking it. This puts users at risk of an overdose.
People may unknowingly smoke heroin that has been added to a joint or cigarette. This increases the risk of an overdose.
Smoking heroin can also cause long-term dangers, including:
- Chronic cough
- Respiratory depression
- Lung damage
- New or worsening asthma symptoms
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
People who smoke heroin may also be more likely to engage in other risky behaviors. This may include intoxicated driving or unsafe sex. These behaviors may increase the risk of:
- Accidents, such as car accidents, falls, or fires
- Injuries
- Being the victim of an assault
- Participating in illegal activities
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Unwanted pregnancy
- Legal problems
- Financial issues
- Social difficulties
- Isolation
All heroin use has the potential for short and long-term damage. If you or someone you love struggles with heroin abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Contact the First Step Behavioral Health specialists to explore your treatment options or to find recovery resources.
Is Smoking Heroin Safer Than Injecting It?
While smoking heroin may seem less dangerous than injecting it, neither method is safe. Both carry serious health risks and a high potential for addiction, overdose, and long-term damage.
Smoking heroin, sometimes called “chasing the dragon,” involves inhaling the vapor, which enters the bloodstream through the lungs. While this may avoid needle-related issues, it still poses serious dangers, including:
- Damage to the lungs and respiratory system
- Less precise dosing, which can still lead to fatal outcomes
- High risk of addiction and overdose
Ultimately, there’s no safe way to use heroin. Both smoking and injecting the drug are dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
Signs Someone is Smoking Heroin
Smoking heroin may not leave obvious needle marks like injecting does, but it still shows up in a person’s appearance, behavior, and health. Some common signs include:
- Finding burnt foil or pipes with black residue
- Other paraphernalia, such as straws or tubes with melted edges, lighters, or small baggies/paper packets containing white or brown residue
- Smelling an unusual burnt, sweet, or chemical odor combined with other symptoms
- Physical signs, such as extreme drowsiness, nodding off, pinpoint pupils, or slowed breathing
- Secretive behaviors
- Loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed
Understanding Heroin Abuse and Addiction
A 2021 survey from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) showed that 1.1 million people had used heroin in the previous year. Of those, 1 million reported being addicted to it. This survey demonstrates the powerful addictive potential of this dangerous drug.
Heroin is an opioid drug. After someone ingests it, it travels through the bloodstream and into the brain. There, it binds to opioid receptors in areas related to pain control, pleasure, emotions, and reward.
Heroin users typically experience a “burst” of euphoria soon after ingesting the drug. They may experience:
- Intense pleasure
- A feeling of calm
- Relaxation
- Warmth
- Intense well-being
These pleasurable effects of heroin may last only a short period. Short-term effects can cause people to want to use it over and over. Over time, users may develop tolerance. Tolerance develops when the body adjusts to a specific dose of a drug. People with tolerance need to use larger doses of a drug to get the effects they want.
In many cases, heroin users develop tolerance quickly. This can lead to using greater and greater amounts of the drug. Using high doses of heroin increases the risk of overdose. People may also quickly develop physical dependence.
People may abuse heroin for many reasons. They may be curious about the effects of the drug or use it to fit in with peers who use heroin. However, some people use heroin after developing an addiction to prescription opioid painkillers. When people can no longer obtain prescription opioids legally, they may turn to illicit opioids, including heroin.
If you or a loved one struggles with heroin use or addiction, seek treatment. Find compassionate, effective treatment at First Step Behavioral Health. Contact our intake specialists to learn about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
Heroin Overdose: Recognizing the Signs
Smoking heroin allows more of this dangerous drug to reach the brain quickly. This can increase the risk of a life-threatening overdose. It is critical to seek emergency treatment if you recognize the signs of a heroin overdose.
Some signs of a heroin overdose include:
- Blueish skin, lips, or nails
- Extreme drowsiness
- Loss of consciousness
- Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
- Constricted (pinpoint) pupils
An overdose is possible anytime someone uses heroin. It may occur if someone ingests heroin by smoking, injecting, or snorting it.
A heroin overdose is a life-threatening medical emergency. If you or someone near you is experiencing a heroin or opioid overdose, call 911 immediately. Administer Narcan (naloxone) if you have it available. Wait with the person until EMS arrives.
The only way to prevent a heroin overdose is to quit using this dangerous drug. It can be very challenging to overcome heroin addiction and to avoid relapse. Most people need intensive medical care, supervision, and comprehensive treatment to stop. Contact the First Step Behavioral Health specialists to learn about our programs or to find recovery support.
Short-Term Effects of Smoking Heroin
Heroin use can have serious short and long-term effects. This potent drug works similarly to morphine and other opioid drugs. However, heroin’s effects may be much stronger. Common short-term effects of heroin use include:
- Euphoria
- Relaxation
- Loss of inhibitions
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constricted pupils
- Intense itching
- Low body temperature
- Slower breathing and heart rate
- Confusion
- Nodding off (temporary loss of consciousness)
Heroin use puts people at immediate risk of overdose, accidents, and injuries. Some addiction experts believe that people can become addicted to heroin after just one use. It is critical to seek treatment as soon as you recognize the signs of heroin use.
Contact the First Step Behavioral Health specialists to learn more about recognizing heroin abuse. You may also contact our team to explore your treatment options or schedule an intake assessment.
Long-Term Effects of Smoking Heroin
Heroin use can cause significant long-term risks, no matter how people ingest it. Smoking heroin can cause significant lung damage that affects breathing and other severe health complications, including:
- Onset or worsening of asthma
- Poor lung function
- Early emphysema
- Degeneration of white matter in the brain
In addition to these risks, some long-term effects of heroin use may include:
- Extreme weight loss
- Malnutrition
- Chronic insomnia
- Kidney disease
- Chronic constipation
- Liver damage
- Heart valve infections
- Bacterial infections
- Abscesses
- Dental issues, including decay, damage, and swollen gums
- Suppressed immunity
- Scars, wounds, or scabs from excessive scratching or picking
- Muscle loss and weakness
Addiction is one of the most significant long-term risks of heroin abuse. It can be very challenging to overcome heroin addiction. Most people require intensive treatment to stop using heroin safely and maintain sobriety.
Contact the First Step Behavioral Health specialists to learn more about the long-term risks of heroin use. You may also ask questions, learn about our programs, or schedule an intake appointment.
Risk Factors for Heroin Abuse and Addiction
Anyone who uses heroin can become addicted to it. Some medical and addiction experts believe it may be possible to develop heroin addiction after just one use.
Some risk factors may increase a person’s risk for heroin abuse and addiction. Opioid painkiller use is one of the significant risk factors for heroin abuse. But why is this the case?
People may take prescription opioids to manage moderate to severe pain. Doctors may prescribe opioid pain relievers after surgery, during chemotherapy, or to reduce chronic pain. They often limit prescription opioids for short-term use. This can reduce the risk of abuse and dependence.
However, people may abuse their prescription painkillers and develop symptoms of addiction. People abuse prescription opioids in several ways, including:
- Taking higher doses than prescribed
- Taking doses more frequently than prescribed
- Taking an opioid pain reliever longer than prescribed
- Ingesting a prescription drug differently than prescribed, such as crushing and snorting tablets
People may also use prescription opioids recreationally (without a prescription). If people develop opioid addiction, they may turn to illicit opioids like heroin when they can no longer obtain their prescription drugs.
There are other risk factors for heroin abuse and addiction. These include:
- A history of risk-taking behavior
- Heavy tobacco use
- A history of anxiety or depression
- Living in a high-risk environment
- Having peers who use heroin or other opioids
- A family or personal history of substance abuse or addiction
- Unemployment
These risk factors do not mean someone will definitely develop heroin addiction. Addiction is a complex condition with roots in a person’s behaviors, genetics, experiences, and more.
However, understanding risk factors can help you recognize and treat heroin addiction. If you or someone you love exhibits signs of heroin addiction, seek treatment right away. Contact the First Step Behavioral Health specialists to learn about our programs or to schedule an intake assessment.
Recognizing Heroin Abuse
Heroin addiction impacts every aspect of a person’s life. It can affect a person’s physical health, emotional well-being, and social health. It may also affect a person’s finances, safety, and other aspects of daily functioning.
Recognizing the signs of heroin abuse or addiction can help you seek life-saving treatment for yourself or a loved one. Some signs of heroin addiction include:
- Increased isolation
- Only spending time with others who use heroin or other drugs
- Finding items related to heroin use, including needles, tourniquets, pipes, baggies, spoons, etc. People who smoke heroin may have pipes, aluminum foil, straws, or lighters.
- New or worsening mental health symptoms
- Secretive behaviors, dishonesty, or sneakiness
- Using slang terms to describe heroin
- Physical marks on the body from injecting heroin (track marks)
- Legal, financial, or social problems
- Changes in appearance, including scars, wounds, and extreme weight loss
- Neglecting responsibilities at home, work, or school
- Changes in appetite, mood, sleep, or behaviors
People who become addicted to heroin require immediate treatment and ongoing support. In most cases, it is nearly impossible for people with heroin addiction to stop using it on their own. Most require intensive supervision, medical care, mental health treatment, and other therapies to overcome heroin addiction.
Contact the First Step Behavioral Health specialists to explore our holistic addiction treatment programs. You may also ask questions or schedule an intake appointment.
Heroin Withdrawal Symptoms
Overcoming heroin addiction can be very challenging. Heroin is a highly addictive drug, and withdrawal can be long and uncomfortable.
People may experience a range of physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Some common heroin withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Depression
- Excessive sweating
- Chills
- Intense body aches
- Anxiety
- Tremors
- Muscle spasms
- Insomnia
- Intense cravings for heroin
The symptoms people experience during withdrawal can depend on several factors, including:
- General health
- Gender
- Co-occurring mental health conditions
- Other substances a person used at the same time
- The length and severity of the addiction
Heroin addiction symptoms are not typically dangerous or life-threatening. However, they can make people so uncomfortable that they relapse (use heroin again) before detox is complete. A relapse is more likely to lead to a lethal overdose.
It is critical to have supervision and medical care throughout the detox period. This can help people manage withdrawal symptoms safely and stay on track toward lifelong recovery.
Learn about the detox and treatment programs at First Step Behavioral by contacting our intake team today. Explore your recovery support programs or schedule an appointment by reaching out today.
What to Expect in Heroin Addiction Treatment
Comprehensive heroin addiction treatment programs offer therapies to address the physical, behavioral, and emotional roots of substance abuse. Each person has unique treatment needs and will follow a tailored treatment program.
A treatment plan might include:
- Assessments and screenings
- A medical detox program (supervision, drug tapering protocols, medications to reduce withdrawal symptoms, education, and other therapies)
- Behavioral therapies
- Individual, group, and family counseling
- Psychoeducation
- Holistic therapies like exercise, nutrition support, creative expression, and mindfulness
- Aftercare planning
Each person has unique needs throughout their recovery. Treatment is available in several levels of care, including:
- Medical detox programs
- Residential treatment programs
- Inpatient treatment programs
- Dual diagnosis treatment programs
- Partial hospitalization programs (PHP)
- Intensive outpatient programs (IOP)
- Outpatient detox and rehab programs
- Aftercare and recovery support programs
People may attend inpatient or residential care programs before transitioning into an outpatient program. Treatment specialists, including medical and mental health professionals, will assess people to determine which type of care is appropriate.
Contact the First Step Behavioral Health specialists to learn about our assessment, detox, treatment, and recovery support programs. Reach out with questions or to schedule an appointment.
Find Treatment Now
Heroin is a potent, illegal opioid drug. People who use heroin in any way may quickly develop an addiction to it. Smoking heroin has unique risks, including addiction, overdose, and breathing problems.
It is crucial to address heroin abuse and addiction as quickly as possible. If you recognize the signs of heroin abuse in yourself or a loved one, seek treatment right away. Without treatment, heroin addiction is likely to continue or get worse. Contact the First Step Behavioral Health specialists to learn more about heroin abuse and addiction.
Take the first step of your recovery journey by contacting our intake specialists now. Explore your treatment programs or schedule an intake appointment by contacting us today.
References:
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Heroin
- Science Direct: The subjective experience of heroin effects among individuals with chronic opioid use: Revisiting reinforcement in an exploratory study
- Harm Reduction Journal: Smoking heroin with cannabis versus injecting heroin: unexpected impact on treatment outcomes
- Science Direct: Screening Heroin Smokers Attending Community Drug Clinics for Change in Lung Function: A Cohort Study
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Changes in injecting versus smoking heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine among people who inject drugs in San Diego, California, 2020 to 2023
- Harm Reduction Journal: Heroin pipe distribution to reduce high-risk drug consumption behaviors among people who use heroin: a pilot quasi-experimental study
