Snorting Heroin (Insufflation) | Can You Snort Heroin?

Heroin is a highly addictive street drug that is abused by snorting, smoking, or injecting. Snorting is commonly perceived as safer because of the stigma attached to intravenous drug abuse. However, there are several dangerous health risks associated with snorting heroin. 

Snorting heroin can damage your respiratory system, cause infections, and lead to dependence and addiction. Dependence may cause you to progress from snorting to intravenous drug use to achieve a more intense high. 

Effects Of Heroin

Heroin is an illicit opioid and central nervous system (CNS) depressant. When you take heroin, it binds to opioid receptors in the CNS and blocks pain. Binding to receptors causes heroin to flood the brain with dopamine, resulting in a rush of euphoria. 

Along with pain relief and euphoria, you may also experience several side effects when you use heroin. 

Side effects of heroin use include:

• dry mouth
• warm flush of skin
• heavy arms and legs
• constipation 
• nausea
• drowsiness
• slowed heart rate 
• itchiness
• “on the nod” (back and forth between conscious and semi-conscious)

Snorting Heroin

Heroin is a powder, usually brown or white, which can be snorted using a straw or other paraphernalia. Snorting heroin causes the drug to enter your bloodstream quickly through blood vessels in your nasal tissue. 

The effects can be felt within 3-5 minutes after snorting, compared to the seconds it takes when injecting heroin. 

Effects Of Snorting Heroin

Because heroin is a street drug, you can never trust that it’s entirely pure. Although it’s made from morphine, a natural substance, it often contains additives and traces of other drugs. These can be harmful whether you snort, smoke, or inject heroin. 

Snorting heroin can cause damage to the respiratory system and nasal passages. Long-term use can cause several serious health complications. 

Health problems associated with snorting include:

• nosebleeds
• chronic sinus infections
• nasal abscesses 
• nasal septum perforation (holes in cartilage of nasal cavity)
• congestion
• lung infections

Viral Infections

Along with damage to the nasal cavities and respiratory system, snorting also increases the risk for viral infections. Although the risk is much higher when injecting, infections can be spread through snorting when sharing contaminated paraphernalia.  

Hepatitis C

Hepatitis C attacks the liver, resulting in fatigue, nausea, and jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin). Many people don’t notice symptoms of hepatitis C until there is severe liver damage.

Heroin Overdose

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were about five times more heroin overdoses in 2018 than in 2010. 

The following increases the risk of heroin overdose:

• taking too much heroin, especially if you have a low tolerance
• using heroin that is laced with other drugs, such as fentanyl
• combining heroin with other drugs

Knowing how to recognize the signs of heroin overdose can help prevent life-threatening consequences. 

Signs of heroin overdose include:

• difficulty breathing
• respiratory failure (stopped breathing)
• confusion
• loss of consciousness

If you think you or someone else may be overdosing, seek medical attention immediately. 

Addiction

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), heroin abuse continues to be a major public health concern in the United States. Drug addiction affects your health, relationships, and quality of life. Learn about warning signs of heroin addiction and how you can help someone you love before it’s too late.

Heroin Addiction Treatment

Your addiction treatment may begin with a short-term detox program, which addresses physical dependence. You will likely be monitored by a supportive healthcare team that will help you manage withdrawal symptoms. 

Following detox, there are several treatment options that can help you build a solid foundation for long-term recovery. 

These treatment options may include:

Medication-assisted treatment (MAT)

MAT combines medication and therapy as an effective long-term option. FDA approved medications include buprenorphine and methadone. These medications help reduce drug cravings and prevent withdrawal symptoms. 

Inpatient Rehab

An inpatient or residential treatment program is highly structured and allows you ample time to address any mental health issues that co-occur with addiction. 

Outpatient Programs

These flexible programs provide a set number of treatment sessions per week that fits your needs. Outpatient programs are best when you have a solid support system at home. 

If you or a loved one would like more information about addiction treatment, contact Ark Behavioral Health today.