Heroin use is commonly portrayed in media and movies byways of injection with a syringe, but it can also be smoked or snorted. No matter the method, taking a dangerous illicit drug like heroin comes with its unique health risks. In the past couple of decades, snorting heroin has become more popular because it’s often seen as less risky. However, how you use it, heroin is still highly addictive, has a high overdose potential, and can cause significant damage to the body and brain when abused for long periods. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NIH), 1.8 percent of people age 12 and older have used heroin at least once. This opioid drug, synthesized from morphine, produces a strong euphoric high followed by sedative effects – a feeling of deep relaxation and sleepiness.
Dangers of Injecting Heroin
So, everyone knows that injecting heroin is dangerous. In addition to the damage caused by the substance itself, using a syringe and needle increases your risks of overdose, in addition to getting an infection. And besides getting infections you could get a deadly disease because of the transmission of bloodborne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C virus through needle sharing. Those that inject heroin also suffer a disproportionate risk of overdose therefore; have a higher risk of death than those who use heroin by snorting. That’s why lots of young adults and kids feel better about snorting heroin instead. Naively, they don’t think it’s as big of a deal. They justify snorting cause the stigma about injecting it. This thinking could be born out of a lack of understanding of the dangers and risks. Or, they might be downplaying their use because they’re afraid to admit they are addicted. Snorting carries less of a stigma than shooting up, and teens can hide it better, at least initially—no track marks or needles involved. For these reasons, it is said more than half of heroin users prefer these methods, rather than shooting up. Regardless, either route of administration (ROI) can easily cause an opioid overdose that can be fatal.
Dangers of Snorting Heroin
Just like injecting, snorting heroin regularly comes with its faults like causing damage to your sinuses, nasal cartilage, throat, sense of smell and taste, and more… Snorting heroin can also lead to impaired cognition, impaired mental faculties, slowed breathing, and mental health issues. Because heroin is heroin. Chronic heroin use, no matter what way of administration, damages every single one of the major organs: the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, immune system, digestive system, and endocrine system. No matter the preferred route, using heroin is still using a dangerous drug. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 8,200 people died in 2013 due to heroin overdose – a number that is four times higher than it was in 2002. No matter the route you take to use heroin, both have their health dangers and both addiction and overdose can occur. The results are just quicker for one than the other.
Professional Help for Heroin Addiction
If you or a loved one are suffering from Heroin addiction, Evoke Wellness at Cohasset can help. Evoke Wellness at Cohasset heroin detox center allows every client to rest and sleep during their detox. Once a client is feeling better, we provide them emotional support, and they are encouraged to participate in one on one counseling and small group counseling to help them remain willing to get off heroin. Heroin addiction can be overcome with the right support and recovery program. The first step in ending this addiction is to be admitted into our medically managed heroin detox. Evoke Wellness at Cohasset has been successfully helping those struggling with how to stop their addiction to heroin for years.
