Heroin is one of the dangerous drugs across the world that usually smells tar-like or vinegar-like. Knowing what it smells like allows you to help those who are suffering. The odor helps you understand whether your friend or family member is addicted to heroin or not. It is important to consider that smell can vary from one type of heroin to another.
What is Heroin?
Heroin is a morphine derivative, which is usually extracted from the opium poppy. Derivation from the seed pod makes it a Schedule 1 drug in the United States of America. It is being misused due to no acceptance for the medical use.
There are different forms of Heroin Addiction, such as snorting, smoking, or injecting. Heroin enters to mind directly and binds the receptors responsible for the perception of happiness and sadness, along with the breath and heart rate. Therefore, heroin provides feelings of drowsiness and relaxation.
What does Heroin look like?
Heroin comes in different forms with a distinctive appearance. It is important to note that the origin and purity of Heroin ensure its effectiveness. Therefore, you should consider the most common heroin types and what they look like.]
Asian Heroin
The name indicates that Heroin is produced in Asia and then smuggled to the West. Southwest Asian Heroin is considered pure, with a resemblance to white powder heroin. On the other hand, Southeast Asian Heroin is similar to the brown heroin.
Black Heroin
A dark-brown or black heroin comes in a sticky, tar-like form. The feel and physical look of this heroin depend on the processing and mixing of the small quantities of diluted pure heroin with different substances. What does black tar heroin smell like? The smell is similar to plastic burning, cat urine, or vinegar, depending on the chemical processes.
Brown Heroin
This heroin type comes into existence after mixing the pure heroin with different substances. It becomes less potent with the color changes. Brown powdered heroin is derived from the purification process. It is usually smoked because of its poor dissolution properties.
White Heroin
It is the purest form of heroin, which is also known as diamorphine. White powered heroin is more expensive than other types and is available in off-white and white colors. It is usually consumed through injecting or snorting rather than smoking because of its higher burn point. You must remember that white heroin can be diluted with different chemicals to ensure slightly brown, beige, or pink colors.
What does Heroin smell like?
The pure heroin is odorless. It means pure form gets an odor when it undergoes the chemical processes with various substances. Both the smell and color of the heroin depend on the reaction with different substances.
The most popular smell of heroin is a vinegar-like, bitter odor. It is important to remember that the synthesis process is the reason for the vinegar smell. The more refined heroin has a less bitter scent. That’s why black-tar heroin becomes more pungent due to the presence of bacteria and chemicals.
What does Heroin taste like?
The taste of heroin, just like the smell, also depends on its reaction with different substances. Pure heroin is usually cut with bland substances in lower quantities, with powdered milk, baking soda, or flour, ensuring little to no taste. Brown heroin is usually cut with stronger chemicals like laundry detergents, ensuring an acidic or bitter taste.
What are the different indicators of using Heroin?
If someone is undergoing heroin disorder, just like other substance disorders, you will note the specific signs. You must consider the indicators of using heroin as part of the drug addiction.
- Nodding off, extreme yawning, or drowsiness
- Ignorance of hygiene or physical appearance
- Quick and gradual weight loss
- Scratch or itch
- Over secretive or lying
- Presence of syringes or drugs
- Needle marks on feet, legs, or arms
Risks associated with Heroin
There are different dangers for those who are addicted to heroin. It is important to consider the long-term and short-term risks of this dangerous substance.
Short-Terms Dangers
- Infection: Injecting heroin can result in severe health problems, such as cellulitis, which is a skin infection. It can also cause endocarditis, which is the inflammation of the heart lining.
- Overdose: Heroin can affect the central nervous system, resulting in stopped or slowed breathing and eventually death. Mixing heroin with other drugs such as benzodiazepines or alcohol can result in overdosing.
- Disease Transmission: Sharing different drug paraphernalia like needles can become a source of transmitting blood-borne diseases such as hepatitis or HIV.
Long-Terms Dangers
- Chronic Health Issues: Using heroin for a longer time can easily damage different organs of the body, such as the heart, lungs, kidneys, and liver. Moreover, it can also weaken the individuals’ immune system.
- Economic and Social Problems: Addiction can result in different social and economic issues, such as strained relationships with family and friends, financial problems, and job loss.
- Mental Health Disturbance: The excessive use of heroin can lead to different mental health disorders, such as anxiety and depression.
Short-Term Effects of Heroin Use
Individuals who use heroin always talk about having the best-ever feelings. This misconception forces them to use heroin continuously and excessively. Moreover, it is impossible to feel like the first time. The short-term effects of heroin abuse are mentioned below:
- Diahhera
- Euphoria
- Rush pleasure
- Heavy feelings
- Sleeping problems
- Inhibition
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Warmth
- Intense relaxation
- Headache
- Slow breathing
- Disconnection from the real world
Long-Term Effects of Heroin Use
The continuous addiction to heroin can bring serious mental and physical health problems due to the use method, such as sharing needles for injection. The National Institute on Drug Abuse has listed the following long-term effects of using heroin:
- Brain damage
- Coma
- Collapsed veins
- Depression
- Damaged blood vessels
- Heart attack
- Hepatitis and HIV
- Inflamed stomach tissues
- Kidney and liver damage
Help Heroin Addicts to Recover
Do you know someone suffering from heroin addiction and want to help them? Connect them to the MD Rehab Center, where we make efforts to ensure a quick recovery. Our medical staff is ready to join hands in the eradication of addiction while contributing to a healthy community.
