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Heroin use is not always obvious to a person who does not know what to look for. If you have never been part of a social circle with significant substance use, you may not be equipped to recognize the signs immediately. Understanding the common signs of heroin use can help you to be informed about a loved one’s substance use so that you can urge them to seek help.
If you suspect that a person you care about is using heroin, one of the first signs to look for is scarring on their arms. These scars are commonly called track marks, and they are the result of repeated needle use.
Another physical sign is that people using heroin may care less about their physical appearance. This sometimes happens because a person starts to prioritize heroin use over their grooming.
If someone who uses heroin regularly must go without heroin, they may shake or develop chills. These are examples of withdrawal symptoms, which are symptoms a person experiences when their body has become used to the presence of a substance but cannot take it.
Many people hide their heroin use very well. These are some physical signs that you may notice, but not every person who uses heroin displays their heroin use in an obvious way. Sometimes a person who is using heroin just seems tired often.
Heroin use has several health consequences on the human body. These effects include:
Heroin users who use needles also have a higher risk of acquiring HIV if they engage in needle sharing needles with other users.
Long-term heroin use can affect how a person’s brain works. Opioid substances such as heroin activate the brain to a greater extent than the brain can achieve on its own. In the short term, this causes a euphoric effect and decreased pain. However, over time heroin use can contribute to mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Heroin users often experience confusion due to the way heroin affects the brain.
A risk factor makes an outcome more likely to occur. Many risk factors make a person more likely to use heroin, including:
The presence of one or more of these risk factors does not guarantee that a person will start to use heroin, they are simply conditions that increase the likelihood of a person using heroin.
In 2019, over 14,000 people died from a heroin overdose. Heroin overdose usually happens to long-term heroin users because they build a tolerance to heroin. This means that they will require more heroin to achieve the same euphoric effects. Heroin causes a decrease in respiratory rates, and when enough heroin is used, a person will stop breathing. This causes a sharp decrease in the amount of oxygen in the brain and heart, causing a person to die from respiratory arrest.
Long-time heroin use can cause health problems such as heart infection, kidney disease, or liver disease. If left untreated, these conditions can be fatal over time. Heroin users who share needles increase their risk of contracting a bloodborne disease such as HIV, which can be fatal. Heroin users who do not overdose still increase their chances of death from health conditions brought on or intensified by heroin use.
Teenagers who use heroin often wear long-sleeve shirts, including when it is hot outside. This is to hide needle-caused scarring. Another sign that a teenager may be using heroin is periods of high alertness, followed by extreme tiredness. Teenagers using heroin will likely have a dry mouth, small pupils and will be taking quick and shallow breaths.
There are objects to look out for if you suspect your teenager of using heroin. Needles and syringes indicate that your teenager may inject heroin or other substances. Aluminum foil, straws, spoons, or gum wrappers with burn marks are also signs of heroin use. People who use heroin often use strings to tie off their arms, so missing hoodie strings or shoelaces could indicate heroin use. You may find plastic bags with powder residue if your teen is using heroin. Finding a pipe is also an indication of heroin use.
A person overdosing from heroin use needs medical attention immediately. You should call 911 and stay with the person until paramedics arrive. You should administer naloxone immediately, if available. Naloxone is a medication that can reverse the effects of heroin and other opioids. It will not hurt anyone who has not taken heroin, but it is the best way to save someone’s life if they overdose on heroin. Naloxone can be obtained at no cost at any Oregon pharmacy.
If someone you love is using heron, they will likely need treatment. Serenity Lane has staff that is trained to assist a person in finding treatment to their heroin addiction. This involves addressing the root causes of their heroin use, teaching new ways to cope with problems, and using medication that can give a person relief from cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
If you or someone you love are ready to overcome heroin addiction, reach out to Serenity Lane at 800-543-9905. Our staff is prepared to offer individualized treatment options to help you find recovery and wholeness.
Individuals suffering from substance use disorder often put substance use above all else. They will often stop caring about their appearance, careers, or loved ones as they once did. Physical signs often appear as scarring from needle use or bodily sores. Another sign of substance use disorder is money problems due to the amount spent on purchasing substances.
Opioids are a substance that affects the opioid receptors of a person’s brain. They cause euphoric effects and are useful for pain management but are dangerous when misused.
Benzodiazepines, also called benzos, are a type of substance used to treat anxiety and seizures. These substances are a depressant, and they slow down brain activity. Benzos are often misused due to their availability and the calming effect that it has on a person.
Cocaine is a stimulant that can create extreme happiness and energy. Cocaine overdose can cause heart attack, seizure, and stroke.
Even though it is legal, alcohol is a potentially dangerous substance that can seriously affect a person’s life and health. Alcohol is often used to make a person feel relaxed or happy, but over time it can seriously affect a person’s mental health.
Substance use often hijacks the reward system present in a person's brain. This means that a person cannot feel normal without the substance in their body. Over time a person builds a tolerance to the substance, meaning they need more of the substance to feel the same effects. Substance use may make a person feel temporarily happier but, over time, will contribute to worsening mental health conditions.
Often, substance use is rooted in an underlying issue such as a mental health condition or a stressful situation. Creating healthy coping skills and introducing someone to healthy and peaceful activities will help them say no to substance use. Also, people who have positive community support often do not feel the need to use substances to cope.
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