Found this on the web and thought it might help us on here. I was having trouble copy and pasting so I hope I got it all. But if not what's here is very informative. Mary.
54 Heroin Abuse or Addiction Warning Signs
Drug Treatment HeroinHeroin has been receiving more attention in the news recently. CBS NEWS: Hooked on Heroin; NY TIMES: Heroin in New England, More Abundant and Deadly; BBC News: Cory Monteith: The Heroin users that dont fit the junkie stereotype; USA Today: OxyContin a Gateway to Heroin for Upper-Income Addicts. Although it can be upsetting this is very helpful because greater awareness about Heroin and its warning signs can help save lives. Sadly heroin use has increased all over the US, including in Chicagoland area.
How can you tell if someone you love is abusing heroin? Here are 54 warning signs to look for:
Physical or Bodily Signs of Heroin Abuse
Heroin causes a number of affects on the body. It causes the body to release histamine (think of why you take antihistamines: for runny nose, itchiness), it slows down the body, causes constipation. Heroin withdrawal largely shows the opposite effects from heroin use.
Persistent hacking cough (common if heroin is smoked)
Sudden weight loss or loss of appetite
Dry mouth
Extremely small pinpoint pupils
Eyelids and arms/legs appear to be heavy
Cuts, bruises or scabs from skin picking (heroin causes the body to release histamine which leads to itchy skin, which may be scratched to point of causing a sore or scab)
Infections or abscesses (from injecting)
Sores on nostrils or lips (from smoking)
Nosebleeds (from snorting)
Burn marks on fingers or mouth (from smoking)
Dark circles or puffiness under the eyes
Flu like symptoms: fever, achy, vomiting, always cold
Runny nose or constant sniffing (from the release of histamine heroin causes)
Needle marks on arms or legs could look like small bruises or red dots
Constipation (when using heroin), or diarrhea (when withdrawing)
For women, loss of menstrual cycle
Behaviors That May Indicate Heroin Abuse
Sudden changes in behavior or actions such as poor school or work performance, being expelled or fired
Movement is slowed or uncoordinated
Disoriented
Extreme alertness/jitteriness followed by suddenly nodding off
Excessive or sudden sleeping
Itchiness, picking at skin (histamine release from heroin)
Speech somewhat slurred, garbled or incoherent
Very little motivation, apathy, no interest in favorite activities
Hostility toward others
Lying or other deceptive behavior
Avoiding eye contact
Lack of hygiene and disregard for physical appearance, may not shower or bathe, repeat wearing of same clothing
Withdrawal from friends and family
Spending a lot of time with new friends and/or alone
Wearing long pants or long sleeves (to hide needle marks) even in very warm weather
Suddenly wearing sunglasses frequently or inappropriately
Indirect Warnings Signs of Heroin Use:
Large increase in mileage on the car used by your loved one (showing trips to purchase drugs)
Missing prescription pills (or entire bottles), especially Vicodin (hydrocodone), OxyContin (oxycodone) or codeine
Missing money or valuables or frequent requests to borrow money, particularly with nothing to show for it
Needles or syringes (check sock and other drawers)
Tiny orange caps from syringes
Spoons with burn marks (used to heat the heroin in water prior to injection)
Aluminum foil or gum wrappers with burn marks (used to smoke heroin)
Missing shoelaces (used to tie off injection sites)
Rubber straps or bands (used to tie off)
Straws (used to snort), especially with burn marks (used to smoke)
Empty plastic pen cases (used for snorting or smoking)
Small plastic bags
Water pipes or other pipes (used in smoking heroin)
Bottled water (water used for mixing and cap used for heating)
Bottle caps (used in heating heroin)
Rolled up dollar bills or paper (used for snorting)
Razor blades, IDs and credit cards with a powder residue on them (used for snorting)
Empty plastic/drug capsules (heroin sometimes sold in capsules)
Antihistamine boxes (used to counteract histamine release)
Nasal spray bottles (used for snorting heroin/water mixture)
Unusual residue in coffee-bean grinder (to grind up heroin)
Very small cotton balls, Q-tips, or pieces of cigarette filter (used prior to injecting)
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid packets/sachets (common in Europe to allow heroin to be water soluble)
Mary,
This is some good info for people that aren't sure if their loved one is using heroin. Thanks for sharing.
This is some good info for people that aren't sure if their loved one is using heroin. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Shell, i thought it was really informative too. I never knew heroin put out a histamine that caused itching etc. I was actually on looking to find out what drug caused itching, picking at the skin and slurred speech. You would think in all these 18 years I would know that, but it had slipped my mind. Hope your doing okay Shell. Glad that's another holiday over with. My daughter made an appearance but why I don't know. Hence the "54 ways you can tell if someone is abusing heroin". Take care Shell. Sending you a (Hug) Mary
The pen cases open my eyes big time. He was never ever without a pen in his hand. Always clicking it. mmm and was upset if he lost it. Now I wonder what he had in it's place?
