Heroin is an illicit opiate drug made from morphine. People who use heroin experience intense, pleasurable side effects, making them want to use more. Repeated use of heroin can quickly lead to abuse and addiction.

People who abuse heroin may use it in different ways. People may smoke, inject, or snort it. Each method of ingesting heroin has unique risks.

This article will explore the dangers of snorting heroin.

If you or someone you love struggles with heroin abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Contact the intake team at Alamo Behavioral Health to learn about our addiction rehab programs. You can contact our specialist with questions, to verify your insurance coverage, or to schedule an intake appointment.

Snorting Heroin: An Overview

While the media usually portrays people using heroin by injecting it, people ingest heroin in several different ways. People who use heroin may smoke or snort it, especially when they first begin using the drug. Some may believe that snorting it is less risky than injecting heroin.

People who snort heroin typically use straws, tubes, or rolled-up paper to snort powdered heroin from a table or another flat surface. Some people believe snorting heroin is less likely to lead to addiction or other harmful side effects. Snorting it allows less of the drug to reach the brain all at once. This method may result in a less intense high than injecting it.

However, research shows that people who snort or smoke heroin often end up injecting it. Those who snort heroin may eventually desire the quicker, more intense high that injecting the drug causes.

Heroin is an intensely addictive substance. People who use powdered and black tar heroin in any way can quickly develop physical dependence.

The Side Effects of Snorting Heroin

Users who snort heroin experience similar side effects as people who inject it. The side effects of heroin include:

• Slurred speech
• Euphoria
• Flushed skin
• Pinpoint pupils
• Itching
• Confusion and disorientation
• Nausea
• Loss of coordination

People may nod off (temporarily lose consciousness) while using heroin. This can lead to accidents, injuries, and an increased risk of being the victim of an assault.

Snorting heroin can cause side effects that are unique to using it in this way. Some of the side effects of snorting the drug include:

• Drastic mood swings
• Nosebleeds
• Nasal congestion
• Watery eyes

In addition to these side effects, you can recognize someone is snorting heroin by the paraphernalia they use. This may include straws, white powder, or rolled-up paper.

The Risks of Snorting Heroin

Some people may snort heroin because they believe it is less risky than injecting it. However, snorting heroin can have dangerous short and long-term effects.

Some of the short-term risks of snorting heroin include:

• Inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses
• Pneumonia and other lung infections
• Nosebleeds
• Trouble breathing

Snorting heroin can also cause long-term physical and mental health problems. These include:

• Chronic lung infections, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Severe damage to the sinuses and nasal passages
• Damage to the heart valves
• Blood vessel damage that can damage the stomach, intestines, and bowels

Heroin overdose is one of the most significant risks of using heroin in any way. It is important to recognize the signs of an overdose and seek treatment right away.

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Understanding the Risk of Heroin Overdose

A heroin overdose is a life-threatening medical emergency. An overdose occurs when someone takes a dose of heroin that overwhelms their system. This can happen at any time that a person uses heroin.

Signs of a heroin overdose include:

• Slow, shallow, or stopped breathing
• Low blood pressure
• Slow heart rate or weak pulse
• Delirium
• Blue lips or nails
• Muscle spasms
• Disorientation
• Pinpoint pupils
• Stomach or intestinal spasms
• Loss of consciousness

If someone near you exhibits symptoms of a heroin overdose, call 911 immediately. If you have Narcan (naloxone), administer it as quickly as possible. Remain with the person until help arrives.

Combining heroin and other substances, including alcohol and other opioids, increases the risk of an overdose. However, an overdose can happen any time someone uses heroin.

The only way to prevent an overdose is to abstain from using heroin. If you or someone you love uses heroin, seek treatment immediately.

Treating Heroin Addiction

It can be challenging to overcome heroin addiction, but getting the right treatment and support can help. Treatment centers may offer several treatment programs, including inpatient and outpatient programs. Most people start treatment in a medical detox program.

During detox, people receive medical and mental health treatment to help them manage withdrawal symptoms. Once they have had a safe, complete detox, people move on to comprehensive treatment. Treatment programs use evidence-based therapies, including medications, mental health treatment, education, and ongoing support. This comprehensive care can help people safely stop using heroin and prevent relapse.

Find Treatment Now

If you or a loved one require treatment for heroin addiction, you are not alone. Contact the admissions navigators at Alamo Behavioral Health to learn about our treatment and recovery programs. Ask questions, learn about insurance coverage, or schedule an appointment by contacting our intake team now.

References:

1. National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA): Heroin Research Report
2. Johns Hopkins University: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Intranasal “Snorted” Heroin
3. NIH: Necrosis of the intranasal structures and soft palate as a result of heroin snorting: a case series
4. NIDA: What are the long-term effects of heroin use?