Does Heroin Expire?

Due to the potential risk of contaminants in this illicit substance, there is the possibility that heroin may grow bacteria, lose potency, or expire when stored improperly.

How To Store Heroin

Just as with prescription medications, heroin should be stored at room temperature or in a cold place out of reach of children. Also, if you store heroin in an air-tight container or vacuum-sealed bag, the potency of the drug may remain for years later. 

Fungi can also grow if heroin is exposed to water or precipitation of any kind. If the drug is stored improperly and degrades over time, using it may be risky as well as cause a less potent high.

Factors That Affect Heroin Potency

Depending on how the drug is created, other illegal contaminants may be combined with heroin, creating potential allergic reactions or drug interactions as well as affecting the expiration and potency of the substance. 

Heroin Cutting Agents

Even if you store heroin in a cool, dark place, the drug may have been adulterated with various substances that affect both potency and how long the drug will keep.

Substances that may be used to cut heroin include:

• sugar
• starch or flour
• baking soda
• quinine
• powdered milk
• caffeine products
• other drugs like fentanyl or cocaine

Cutting agents like fentanyl and cocaine may increase the potency and effects of heroin overall, but they likely increase the risk of overdose as well.

Type Of Heroin

Heroin is available in several forms such as white powder, brown powder, or a black goo known as black tar heroin.

The white powdered heroin, sometimes called #4, is the most potent and pure. Storing this type of heroin in an air-tight bag in a cool, dark place will likely help it retain potency for years.

Black tar heroin, on the other hand, is less refined than white powdered heroin and not as powerful (but it still produces strong effects). Storing black tar heroin correctly may allow the potency to last but the crudeness of this type may affect its longevity.

Risks Of Heroin Abuse

There are a number of dangers associated with buying and using heroin.

Those purchasing heroin on the black market or an online drug market via social media may not be aware the heroin purchased could contain other substances like fentanyl, which can lead to an accidental overdose.

Heroin Overdose

Some of the symptoms of a heroin overdose may include:

• confusion
• respiratory depression
• fluctuations in heart rate and blood pressure
• hypoxia
• coma

If you suspect an overdose has taken place, contact 911 and seek urgent medical attention. Once at the emergency room, doctors may administer naloxone, a life-saving medication used to help reverse an overdose.

Heroin Addiction

Using heroin long-term is likely to lead to opioid use disorder or addiction. This chronic disease makes you unable to stop using heroin despite harmful consequences.

Thankfully, heroin addiction can be treated with effective services such as behavioral therapy, medication-assisted treatment, and ongoing support.

For information on our inpatient and outpatient treatment options, including medical detox for withdrawal symptoms, please contact us today.