Heroin is a powerful and illegal opioid drug. It is highly addictive and comes in various forms, including a powder and a black sticky substance known as black tar heroin. This article explores black tar heroin and its risks.

If you or a loved one are struggling with heroin addiction, please reach out to Alamo Behavioral Health today to learn about your treatment options.

What is Heroin?

Heroin (diacetylmorphine) is an opioid drug that is derived from morphine, a natural substance found in the seed pod of various poppy plants that grow natively in Southeast and Southwest Asia, Mexico, and Colombia.[1]

Heroin can come in the form of a white or brown powder or a sticky black substance. People may inject, snort, or smoke heroin.

Even though morphine is used to treat pain, heroin does not have any FDA-approved medical use. It is an illegal, Schedule I controlled substance associated with a high potential for abuse and dependence.

What is Black Tar Heroin?

Black tar heroin is a type of heroin that looks like brown or black sticky tar. It is dark in color, sticky to the touch, and may feel hard at the core. The name black tar heroin came from the appearance of the drug, which often looks like roofing tar. This is what impure heroin looks like before it is refined into powder form.[2]

Although black tar heroin is less pure than regular heroin, it can be just as potent.

The substance has its roots in Mexico where it is primarily produced. It is made by putting opium, the raw material for heroin, through a basic extraction process that results in impure diacetylmorphine. The impurities found in the drug are what give black tar heroin its distinctive color and consistency.

People usually don’t snort black tar heroin because it is sticky, but it can be smoked or injected into the bloodstream.

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What Does Black Tar Heroin Feel Like?

Black tar heroin, sometimes known as Mexican Black, has the same effects as powdered heroin. Side effects include:

• A rush of euphoria
• Warmth
• Heaviness in the arms and legs
• Drowsiness
• Flushing of the skin
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Itching
• “Nodding out” or going back and forth between being conscious and semiconscious
• Confusion
• Poor cognitive functioning

Common Street Names for Black Tar Heroin

Aside from Mexican Black, there are other street names and slang terms that may be used to describe black tar heroin. These include:[3]

• Ache
• Black
• Black Clown
• H
• Horse
• Pigment
• Tar

Dangers of Abusing Black Tar Heroin

Black tar heroin is just as dangerous as other types of heroin. It is a very potent and addictive substance that many people get addicted to after just a few uses. In 2022, more than 1 million people were addicted to heroin, and more than 9,000 died as a result of an overdose involving heroin.[4]

Heroin is not a regulated substance, so it is impossible to predict how potent it is or how much you can safely take. As a result, heroin overdose is extremely common. Symptoms of a heroin overdose include:

• Slow or shallow breathing
• Blue lips or fingertips
• Extreme drowsiness or unresponsiveness
• Pinpoint pupils
• Weak pulse
• Clammy, cold skin
• Disorientation or confusion
• Loss of consciousness
• Inability to wake up
• Nausea or vomiting
• Slow or irregular heartbeat
• Seizures
• Choking or gurgling sounds
• Pale or ashen skin color
• Uncontrolled muscle movements or spasms

Please note that if someone is experiencing a heroin overdose, it is crucial to seek immediate medical attention by calling emergency services. Heroin overdose can be reversed by administering naloxone (Narcan).

In addition to overdose, black tar heroin can damage the body. For example, the various impurities found in black tar heroin can increase the risk of infection, collapsed veins, and hepatitis.

In the long term, heroin can have significant impacts on a person’s mental and physical health. Long-term effects of heroin include:

• Constipation
• Infection of the heart lining and valves
• Stomach cramps
• Liver and kidney disease
• Lung disease
• Mental disorders (most commonly anxiety, depression, and antisocial personality disorder)
• Erectile dysfunction
• Irregular menstrual cycles

Treatment for Addiction to Black Tar Heroin

Overcoming addiction isn’t easy, and when it comes to heroin, quitting can be extremely challenging. Heroin is a short-acting opioid, meaning the effects begin quickly, but leave the body quickly as well. Shortly after a person decides to stop using heroin, they will experience symptoms of withdrawal which can last for up to 10 days.

Heroin withdrawal is not life-threatening, but it can be severe. The best way to overcome withdrawal is to seek help from a licensed drug and alcohol detox facility. At a detox center, they can prescribe medications to alleviate your symptoms and help you develop a treatment plan for your ongoing care.

After you’ve safely detoxed, treatment consists of:

• Group therapy
• Individual therapy
• Relapse prevention therapy
• Holistic therapy
• Family therapy
• Addiction education
• Aftercare planning
• Peer support

Heroin Addiction Treatment at Alamo Behavioral Health

At Alamo Behavioral Health, we offer a private and convenient solution for you to take control of your substance abuse and achieve long-term recovery. Our heroin addiction treatment program provides a personalized, private, and convenient solution for you to take control of your life. To learn more about your treatment options or to find help for a loved one, please contact us today.

References:

1. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Heroin DrugFacts
2. National Library of Medicine: The Textures of Heroin: User Perspectives on “Black Tar” and Powder Heroin in Two US Cities
3. U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Heroin
4. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): What is the scope of heroin use in the United States?