Since the opioid epidemic first began, heroin use has been a major cause for concern. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, there were 13,165 deaths involving heroin reported in 2020. (1) The initial high caused by heroin is particularly intense, and many individuals perpetually attempt to emulate the intense rush of euphoria they felt when first using the drug.
This often creates a seemingly endless cycle of drug use and escalation. As heroin addiction continues to progress and associated consequences continue to worsen in severity, many individuals who begin using heroin nasally (snorting the drug) eventually turn to intravenous use, attempting to experience a more intense “high.” However, injecting heroin is more likely to lead to overdose and a range of additional health-related complications.
If you or someone you love has been suffering from heroin addiction, Guardian Recovery is available to help. Our comprehensive and highly individualized program of heroin addiction recovery focuses on the cause of the addictive disorder, helping clients address underlying issues while developing the skills they need to stay sober long-term. To learn more about our effective program for heroin addiction recovery, contact us today.
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What Is Injecting Heroin Like?
Powdered heroin is often ingested nasally, or snorted. This method, while certainly dangerous, is often seen as less “intense” than heroin injection. Spoons, lighters, and other assorted heroin paraphernalia come into play for this specific method of drug use. The white powder is converted into a liquid which is then put into a hypodermic needle and injected directly into the bloodstream.
Users who inject heroin into their veins or their muscles will feel the intensity of the drug sooner than they would if they were to ingest the drug nasally. Spoons are often used to cook the drug down to a liquid before it is injected. When heroin enters the bloodstream it makes its way directly into the brain and affects the person using the substance almost immediately. It is this sudden rush of euphoria and inability to modify the dosage once injected that causes many fatal overdoses and other major health issues. For this reason, injection is considered the most dangerous form of drug use.
Injecting heroin can cause users:
- Euphoria.
- Fatigue.
- Nausea and Vomiting.
- Severe itching.
- Cottonmouth.
- Confusion.
- Losing consciousness.
- Flushed skin and increased body temperature.
- Coma.
What Is a Heroin Spoon?
Spoons are one of many pieces of paraphernalia that those with substance use issues use to maintain their habit. Spoons are often used in conjunction with a wide array of other items. Other heroin paraphernalia includes fairly routine household objects that those with substance use disorder utilize when injecting heroin.
- Hypodermic Needles: The object used to physically inject the liquid heroin into the body.
- Cotton Balls: Used to remove noticeable impurities from the liquid that did not melt in the cooking process for heroin injections.
- Tie-Off: The string or band used to tie off the limb to which the drug will be injected to.
- Lighter: Used to heat the powder in order to turn it into a liquid.
The spoon’s purpose in all of this is to act as a hot surface for the lighter. The drug, whether white powder or black tar, is placed on the spoon. Fire is then applied underneath the spoon and the drug is liquified. It is then that it can be injected via hypodermic needles.
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What Does a Heroin Spoon Look Like?
What is a heroin spoon? A heroin spoon is any metal spoon that can be used to break down heroin into a liquid. The metal serves as a heating vessel and the round holder keeps the drugs in place once liquified. Once a spoon has been used in the process of heating and liquifying heroin, stains become present. Both burn marks, stains from the drug, and other wear associated with heat can be noticed.
Is a Heroin Spoon Illegal?
Yes, heroin spoons, like any form of used paraphernalia, are considered a criminal offense in most states. Even without discovering actual drugs, the finding of heroin spoons or any other items that have been used in the process of heroin use is enough to be a criminal offense. The telltale signs of burns and drug residue make items like aluminum foil, bottle caps, gum wrappers, soda cans, or even a cotton ball cause for legal trouble.
What Do I Do If I Find a Heroin Spoon?
If a suspicious spoon, or any other potential heroin paraphernalia is found, avoid touching it.. Often drug paraphernalia can be dangerous, even just for a casual observer. Any drug accessories should be left alone.
Finding a heroin spoon in the possession of a loved one can be concerning, especially if it is burnt and/or bent. Discovering one of the most dangerous drugs is being taken in one of the most dangerous ways should be a cause for concern and lead to a deeper conversation.
The damage that heroin usage, especially through injection, can cause is wide-reaching. Some of the effects that heroin addiction can have on a user’s health are: (correct formatting of list)
- Infections
- Abscesses and dangerous sores
- Skin tissue/muscle damage
- Cardiovascular damage
- Vein damage
- The triggering of mental health disorders
- Sleep issues
- Overdose
Discovering items used for heroin cooking and injections can and should be a reason to intervene. Typically, when things like this are discovered by a friend or family member, people have already begun to pick up on the social and physical signs of drug abuse. Whether it’s a distant look in their eyes or a person’s insistence on wearing long sleeves to cover injection sites, signs are usually all around. In many cases, finding a smoking gun like a heroin spoon is the final piece of a puzzle many have already put together from other red flags.
When Do I Stage a Heroin Intervention?
Many people in treatment have been placed there due to legal requirements. Whether for heroin abuse or other drugs, rehabilitation is the final stop for those trending toward the bottom. It is a last-ditch effort by the legal system to ensure that the user atones for their mistakes, improves behavioral health, and creates a better life moving forward.
If you have made this discovery before a loved one has landed into substantial trouble, the timing is best for an intervention. By allowing the user to realize that they aren’t being judged or vilified for their substance abuse, but are actually being cared for, those looking to help them can get ahead of any trouble that is inevitable down the line.
For people struggling with legal repercussions, rehab can sometimes feel like a punishment. For those who are not, rehab can feel like a second chance. By giving a loved one the chance to recover from their addiction without having to face stressful court dates, family members can save them from a life of desperation. Timing is the key and finding a heroin spoon, or other drug paraphernalia, is definitely the right time for conquering heroin addiction.
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If someone is ready to get help, Guardian Recovery is here to offer it. Heroin addiction is treatable. We offer programs that help those suffering from heroin addiction through the recovery process by focusing on the causes behind their addiction and work towards a life of sobriety and stability. To find out more about our focused and individualized program of heroin addiction recovery, contact us today.
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Disclaimer: Does not guarantee specific treatment outcomes, as individual results may vary. Our services are not a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis; please consult a qualified healthcare provider for such matters.
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