How To Identify Heroin Track Marks

Heroin track marks can be a tell-tale sign that someone is injecting drugs, either intravenously (into the vein), intramuscularly (into the muscle), or subcutaneously (under the skin).

Injecting heroin, or “shooting up” heroin, is the most common way heroin is used by people who have used heroin chronically, or have developed tolerance, dependence, and heroin addiction.

This method of heroin administration can pose severe health consequences.

What Is A Heroin Track Mark?

A heroin track mark is a visible sign of injecting heroin that appears along the injection site. This method of heroin administration is one of the most popular among people who abuse the drug.

Opioids such as heroin, as well as other illicit drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine, can be injected into the bloodstream.

What Do Heroin Track Marks Look Like?

Heroin track marks are commonly described as needle marks, or visible signs of a needle going into a vein, under the skin, or into the muscle along common injection sites.

What this can look like:

• bruising
• discoloration
• scrapes
• cuts
• raised marks
• puncture wounds

Heroin is commonly injected into veins along the forearms. Other common injection sites include the upper arms, hands, legs, feet, groin, and neck.

According to the National Harm Reduction Coalition, the upper and lower arms are the safest area to inject, while the neck is the most dangerous due to its proximity to the carotid artery.

What Causes Heroin Track Marks?

Track marks can occur from any injection drug use, but there are certain risk factors that can make it more likely you will develop track marks and develop associated health consequences.

Risk factors for track marks include:

• injecting heroin frequently
• unsafe injection technique
• repeatedly injecting drugs into the same site
• using veins that are tender or inflamed
• injecting near a bone
• using shared, dull, or dirty needles
• using small-gauge (thick) needles
• using a hard or inflexible tourniquet for tying off (a belt)

What Are The Possible Effects Of Heroin Track Marks?

Heroin track marks, also known as tracking from heroin use, can lead to scabs, lesions, and other health issues if you repeatedly inject at the same sites, or don’t properly treat wounds.

In addition to this, there are also other consequences that can develop from injection drug use.

Consequences Of Heroin Injection

Injecting heroin can result in a rapid, intense high, but it can also have other consequences, both in the short term and long term.

Short-Term Effects Of Injecting Heroin

As an illicit, unregulated drug, heroin can be dangerous to use. Shooting heroin, in particular, comes with various short-term health risks.

Short-term risks of shooting heroin include:

• accidental overdose (especially if the heroin is cut with other drugs, such as fentanyl)
• bruising
• puncture wounds
• track marks
• poor decision-making and judgment
• cloudy mental functioning
• physical side effects of heroin use (nausea, vomiting, severe itching)

Long-Term Consequences

Injecting heroin can come with a whole host of long-term health consequences, in addition to other effects on a person’s overall well-being and quality of life.

This includes:

• heroin abscesses (infected injection site)
• scar tissue
• wound botulism
• collapsed veins and disrupted blood flow
• bloodborne disease from using unsanitary equipment (HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, hepatitis B)
• skin infections
• heroin teeth
• blood clots
• bacteria in the blood
• endocarditis
• tetanus

Using unsanitary drug use equipment for intravenous drug use, such as reused materials, carries an increased risk of developing infections and contracting a bloodborne disease.

Signs Of Heroin IV Drug Use

Injecting heroin is often a sign that someone has already developed opioid addiction, or is physically dependent on the habit-forming drug.

In addition to track marks, there are other visible signs of heroin use and addiction that loved ones, such as family members, can look out for if they suspect heroin use.

Signs of IV drug use might include:

• wearing long sleeves
• using makeup to cover track marks
• bruising on areas of the body
• possession of heroin paraphernalia (needles, syringes, spoons)
• hiding or lying about drug use
• withdrawing from friends or family
• physical symptoms of heroin use (sedation, slow breathing, tiny pupils)
• intense mood swings
• the development of mental health conditions
• dramatic weight loss
• heroin drug overdose

Treatment Programs For Heroin Abuse And Addiction

Chronic heroin abuse is a serious problem that can best be treated by substance abuse professionals. For severe cases, inpatient substance use disorder treatment may be recommended.

Treatment for heroin drug addiction, however, will generally begin with detoxification and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This can help you safely undergo withdrawal.

Heroin withdrawal symptoms, including pain, vomiting, and drug cravings, can be highly uncomfortable. These symptoms can be very challenging to manage alone.

A detox program, followed by an inpatient or outpatient rehab program at an addiction treatment center can help you safely stop using heroin

Find Heroin Addiction Treatment Today

Call us to learn more about heroin abuse, including the signs of intravenous drug use. Our team can assist you or your loved ones in finding treatment options that work for you.