In 2021, opioids like heroin were responsible for 65.8% of overdose deaths in California. That same year, snorting substances accounted for roughly 15% of all overdose deaths in the U.S.— a stark reminder that the method of use doesn’t always make a substance safer.
At Pacific Sands, we break down myths about substance use that could be harmful, including the belief that certain methods reduce risk. The truth is, snorting heroin comes with serious dangers, some of which people may not expect. Understanding these risks can be lifesaving. Today, we’re diving into why snorting heroin is far from a “safer” alternative.
An In-Depth Look at the Motivations for Snorting Heroin
There are several ways that someone will take heroin, such as injecting, snorting, and smoking. Snorting heroin tends to be the first option people will use when they are trying this substance for the first time. This is because there is a stigma surrounding the idea of injecting the substance that isn’t as prominent when it comes to snorting.
Many individuals might even believe that it is impossible to develop a heroin use disorder if they are snorting the substance. This is not true. It doesn’t matter how the substance is taken. No matter how you consume it, the chances of developing a heroin use disorder will always be high. Additionally, all methods of use come with health risks.
With time, people who start with snorting heroin might move on to injecting the substance instead. This is because snorting heroin does not produce effects as intense as injecting it. Many people might even claim that they didn’t start taking heroin until they injected the substance. With that said, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t any effects, nor does it mean that it isn’t as dangerous when someone snorts it instead.
Snorting vs. Injecting Heroin: Is One More Dangerous Than the Other?
Generally, injecting heroin is considered more dangerous, but that doesn’t mean that snorting heroin is safe or any less harmful. The effects are just different. For both of these methods, effects are felt quickly. Snorting involves inhaling the substance through the nose while injecting it involves dissolving it and injecting the substance into a vein, muscle, or under the skin.
Common dangers of snorting heroin are associated with the nose and nasal passages. It might also include an increased risk of contracting certain diseases or infections. Injecting heroin can bring a more extensive list of dangers or side effects. Some of these include muscle stiffness, respiratory complications, bacterial infections of the cardiovascular system, abscesses, and bacteria that destroy tissue, known as necrotizing fasciitis.
Heroin is an illicit substance, which means that it is not regulated. Drug dealers may combine heroin with additives or other substances, which comes with its own set of concerns. Injecting cut heroin into your veins can cause significant dangers like clogged blood vessels, which might permanently damage major organs. It may also result in immune reactions, since knowing what was added to the substance is difficult.
Effects of Heroin: What Happens When You Snort the Substance?
When someone snorts heroin, it impacts both the body and the brain. The effects someone feels occur because heroin binds to the opioid receptors in the brain. This effectively slows down the central nervous system, resulting in several side effects.
Initially, someone who snorts heroin will feel a rush of euphoria. After this, other heroin side effects are common, which include flushing of the skin, dry mouth, drowsiness, and nodding in and out of consciousness. It is also possible that someone will have extreme itchiness and feel like they can’t move their arms and legs.
The Potential Dangers of Snorting Heroin: All You Need to Know
Snorting heroin is as dangerous as any other method of consumption. Just because it is less invasive and leaves no wound when compared to injecting the substance doesn’t mean that dangers are not possible. Some of these are short-term effects that occur within a few seconds or minutes after someone takes the substance and can come from only one time. Others are long-term dangers that have significant consequences long after the substance has left your system.
Understanding the Short-Term Dangers of Snorting Heroin
Short-term dangers of snorting heroin vary in severity and length of time that they occur. Some might resolve themselves shortly after taking the substance, while others might last a little longer. These effects might include:
- Breathing concerns
- Nosebleeds
- Lung infections, like pneumonia
- Nasal passageways becoming inflamed
- Contracting different diseases like HIV or hepatitis through shared needles
How Snorting Heroin Is Dangerous in the Long-Term
In the long term, after snorting the substance for several years, many complications can arise. The sooner someone stops taking heroin, the easier it is to reverse some of these circumstances. Others might require medical intervention to provide support, healing, or management. These might include:
- Worsening breathing concerns
- Damage to the nasal cavity and septum
- Increased infections that lead to tissue death
- Compromised nose integrity, which might require surgery to fix
- Loss of smell
- Chronic lung infections, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Decreased blood flow in the gastrointestinal tract
- Damage to the gastrointestinal tract
Is Heroin Overdose Possible When Snorting Cocaine?
Yes. It is possible to experience a heroin overdose when snorting cocaine. Overdoses occur when you have consumed too much of a substance, and its presence overwhelms your body. This is a life-threatening medical emergency, as it can slow your breathing to a halt. If you have been snorting the substance, there is an added concern of nasal passageways being inflamed. When this happens, your breathing becomes more impaired. If someone is experiencing a heroin overdose, 911 must be called immediately. If it is available, you can use naloxone to reverse the effects of this substance temporarily. Medical care is still necessary for proper treatment and reversal, but this medication will buy the person more time.
Snorting Heroin Paraphernalia: Common Things to Look For
If, upon reading about these dangers, you are concerned that someone you love might be snorting heroin, you might wonder how you can know for sure. One of the most telling signs that someone you love is snorting this substance is the presence of paraphernalia. Seeing these items in the spaces that a loved one regularly occupies indicates that a conversation about seeking treatment might be necessary to ensure their health and safety. These include straws or items that can be made into tubes like rolled foil, dollar bills, or powder residue on surfaces. This powder may range in color from white to dark brown.
Treatment Options for Heroin Use Disorder in Santa Ana, CA
If you or someone you love is looking to avoid experiencing these dangers from snorting heroin, the best way to remain safe is to stop taking the substance altogether. This isn’t an easy request for people who have a heroin use disorder. Heroin withdrawal symptoms can make it difficult to leave it behind. Still, treatment for heroin addiction changes (and saves) lives. By learning and developing specific tools and techniques found in treatment, you can have a successful recovery that enables you to have a safer future.
Pacific Sands is a luxury facility with a 6-client maximum in Santa Ana, CA. We understand that it is difficult to stop snorting heroin, but we can help. Our experienced and compassionate staff are passionate about patient care and recovery from substance use disorders. To schedule a consultation today, call us at 949-426-7962.
Pacific Sands – The first step towards a new life.
FAQs About Dangers of Snorting Heroin
Is it easier to overdose when snorting heroin?
Snorting heroin is just as easy to experience an overdose as any other method. It can have an added complication that makes an overdose more dangerous since a common effect of snorting heroin results in the inflammation of nasal passageways. When these are inflamed, breathing becomes more difficult. A heroin overdose already results in breathing concerns, and this inflammation can make it worse.
