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The Dangers, Risks, and Health Effects of Snorting Heroin

  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Modified:
  • Reading Time: 14 minutes
  • Reviewed by: Dr. Carl Williams, Ph.D., LCADC
  • Last Update:
  • Reading Time: 14 minutes

Snorting heroin might seem less risky than other methods, but it poses serious health dangers and can quickly lead to addiction.

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Heroin is a type of opioid made from a combination of natural and man-made substances. People usually inject it to get the fastest high. But when trying heroin for the first time, many people prefer to snort or smoke it instead. They might think this is safer because people often see injecting as riskier.

However, snorting heroin doesn’t make it any less dangerous. It may take a few minutes for the effects to start, but it can still cause addiction. No matter how you use heroin, there’s always a risk of becoming dependent.

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Origins, Forms, Legal Status, & Health Impacts

What Is Heroin?

Heroin is a powerful drug that falls under a category known as narcotics, which are pain relievers. It comes from the opium poppy. This flower mainly grows in Asia, Mexico, and South America.

The pure form of heroin usually looks like a fine white powder. However, it can also appear as a dark brown substance. Another type, called black tar heroin, can be sticky or hard, resembling roofing tar in texture.

In the U.S., authorities classify heroin as a Schedule I drug. This classification indicates that experts consider it to have a high potential for abuse. It has no widely accepted medical use for treatment.

In simple terms, it is one of the most dangerous substances. It has no real medical benefits recognized in the country.

When you use heroin, it affects certain receptors in your brain, body, and central nervous system. This leads to strong feelings of happiness and pain relief. While it may feel good now, the health risks are extremely high. Addiction, overdose, and serious long-term health problems are just a few dangers that come with it.

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Powdered, Black Tar, & Brown

What Are the Different Forms of Heroin?

Heroin comes in several forms, and each one has its own look, feel, and chemical makeup. The form you encounter can influence its use and the associated risks. Let’s break down the main types of heroin.

Powdered Heroin (White Heroin)

This is the purest form of heroin, often referred to as diacetylmorphine hydrochloride. It is usually a white powder. However, the way someone makes it and the ingredients they use can give it a slightly off-white, beige, or even pinkish color.

  • Purity: Generally, the whiter the powder, the purer it is. But be aware it can still be “cut” with other substances to increase profit.
  • Commonly produced in: Mexico and South America.
  • How it’s used: Most people inject powdered heroin because it dissolves quickly in water. However, the added substances can pose health risks, especially if they react in the body in unexpected ways.

Black Tar Heroin

Black tar, also called Black Dragon, is a common type of heroin. It has a sticky, tar-like texture and is dark brown or black in color. People often sell it in chunks that they can melt down and inject or smoke.

  • Commonly produced in: Mexico. This makes it widely available in the Western U.S., especially in cities like Los Angeles and San Diego.
  • How it’s used: Users typically inject or smoke it.

Because it’s less refined, it can hit the brain quickly, causing a rush of euphoria, among other side effects like:

  • Lethargy.
  • Constricted pinpoint pupils.
  • Runny nose or mouth.
  • Diarrhea.
  • Vomiting.
  • The general state of poor health.

Black tar heroin can be especially harmful. It can cause lung problems, stroke, and severe damage to your veins, leading to conditions like venous sclerosis, where veins harden and narrow. Over time, this can make your veins collapse entirely, forcing users to inject heroin into muscles instead.

You also raise the risk of bacterial infections. This includes wound botulism, which can cause paralysis and even death.

Brown Heroin

This type is a less refined version of the drug, often appearing as a brown powder with a sandy texture. The first stage of purification creates it. Manufacturers can mix it with substances like lactose to increase the supply.

  • Commonly produced in: Mexico.
  • How it’s used: Brown heroin is often smoked. It does not dissolve easily, which makes it less likely to be injected.

Because it’s not as pure as white powder heroin, brown heroin tends to be less expensive. This, combined with its smokable form, often makes it more appealing to those new to using heroin.

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Consumption Methods

Can You Snort Heroin?

Many people think that snorting heroin is “safer” than other ways to use it. This is especially true for addiction.

But that simply isn’t true. Heroin snorting can quickly lead to dangerous consequences, just like injecting or smoking it. If you’re thinking about snorting heroin or already have, here’s what you need to know:

  • Injecting or smoking is not safer. No matter how you use heroin, it’s risky.
  • Using heroin can seem easy and tempting. People often use small straws, dollar bills, or other items to snort it.
  • Snorting heroin can cause serious harm to your nose, sinuses, and even your lungs over time.
  • The more you snort, the more your body needs to feel the same effects.
  • Heroin is potent, and it’s easy to accidentally take too much, no matter how you use it.
  • As you get used to the drug, you might need to snort a larger amount. This could lead you to inject it, which raises your risk even more.

How Else is Heroin Used?

While snorting heroin is common, it’s not the only way people use the drug. Understanding the different methods can help highlight just how dangerous heroin abuse is.

Injecting Heroin:

Using heroin by injection is one of the most dangerous methods. When you inject it, the drug hits your bloodstream right away, delivering an intense rush that can feel overwhelming.

But with that rush come serious risks. Heroin overdose is a serious risk. If you share needles, the National Institute on Drug Abuse says you are more likely to get infections. These infections include HIV and Hepatitis C.

There’s also the physical toll: repeated injections can cause veins to collapse and lead to ongoing infections. These aren’t just minor issues—they can have lasting effects on your health and well-being.

Smoking Heroin:

When people smoke heroin, they’re inhaling the drug’s vapors, typically after it’s heated. This method is more common with black tar heroin because it’s easier to smoke than the powder form. At first, smoking might seem like a less damaging option compared to injecting, but it still comes with serious health risks.

Here’s what’s at stake:

  • It increases your chances of developing a dependency.
  • It can harm your lungs.
  • It can lead to long-term respiratory problems.
  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

No matter how you use heroin—whether you snort it, smoke it, or inject it—it puts your health in serious jeopardy. The best thing you can do is stay away from it altogether.

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Nasal Damage, Overdose Risks, & Addiction

What Are the Dangers of Snorting Heroin?

When you think about snorting heroin, it might seem like a safer alternative to injecting it. But in reality, it carries its own set of serious risks—some of which can have long-lasting consequences:

Damage to Your Nose and Sinuses

Snorting heroin can cause significant harm to your nasal passages and sinuses. The powdery residue from snorting heroin can irritate the nasal passages. This irritation can cause inflammation and long-term damage. With repeated use, you might notice:

  • Chronic nosebleeds.
  • A loss of smell.
  • Damage to the cartilage that separates your nostrils (called the septum).

The damage can also lead to breathing problems, infections, and even deformities in your nose. What’s worse is that the impurities in heroin, such as cutting agents and chemicals, can irritate your sinuses. This irritation can make infections and abscesses more likely.

Increased Risk of Overdose

You might think snorting heroin is a way to control how much you take, but it actually increases your risk of overdose. Here’s why:

  • When you snort heroin, it enters your bloodstream through the nasal membranes, but it takes longer to reach your brain.
  • Due to this delay, you may want to snort more to feel the effects faster. This can cause a dangerous buildup of the drug in your body.
  • If you’ve taken too much, especially if your heroin is mixed with something stronger, like fentanyl, you could easily slip into an overdose. This is not something to take lightly—it can be life-threatening.

The number of heroin-related overdose deaths is still very high. The increase in deaths from both heroin and fentanyl is especially worrying. These combined deaths rose to almost 80% in 2022, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA).

Addiction and Dependency

Heroin is highly addictive, no matter how it’s used. Snorting it can quickly lead to both physical and psychological dependence. You may find yourself:

  • Using more and more to feel the same high.
  • Getting stuck in a cycle where you feel compelled to keep using just to avoid withdrawal symptoms.

As your tolerance builds, you may start taking larger, more frequent doses. This only raises the risk of overdose, along with other health problems.

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Short-Term & Long-Term Health Implications

What Are the Short-Term Effects of Snorting Heroin?

When you snort heroin, it brings on a series of immediate effects that can feel intense. Some might seem pleasurable initially, but they carry serious consequences over time.

Euphoria

When heroin enters your body, you will likely feel a strong sense of euphoria. This rush is very intense.

This happens because the drug attaches to your brain’s opioid receptors. This triggers a rush of dopamine, the brain’s “feel-good” chemical. However, the high is fleeting, and it comes with a high risk of addiction and long-term health problems.

Drowsiness

After that rush, heroin typically brings on feelings of drowsiness and calm. You might feel the urge to sleep or just zone out. Over time, this can lead to chronic fatigue. It makes it harder to stay alert and complete daily activities.

Nausea and Vomiting

Primarily if you’re not used to the drug, snorting heroin can cause nausea, vomiting, and other stomach issues. The more you use it, the worse these symptoms may get, leading to dehydration, weight loss, and a lack of essential nutrients.

In the short term, heroin may seem like a quick escape. However, it’s important to remember that these temporary highs have a high cost.

What Are the Long-Term Effects of Snorting Heroin?

Snorting heroin is just as dangerous as injecting it. The long-term effects are serious and can harm almost every part of your body. Over time, these consequences can become even more complicated to reverse. Here’s a look at what could happen if heroin becomes a regular part of your life:

Physical Dependence

As you continue to snort heroin, your body gets used to it. It starts needing more of the drug just to feel the same effects. This leads to physical dependence, meaning:

  • If you don’t get your usual dose, you’ll likely experience withdrawal symptoms.
  • These symptoms can include intense anxiety, sweating, muscle pain, and vomiting.
  • The longer you use, the harder it becomes to stop without professional help.

Mental Health Issues

Heroin doesn’t just affect your body—it also takes a heavy toll on your mind. Over time, the drug can cause or worsen mental health problems like:

  • Anxiety.
  • Depression.
  • Paranoia.

Though heroin might give you a temporary escape from those feelings, it only deepens them in the long run. The happiness you feel hides your pain for a bit. But over time, the drug will make your struggles worse. This can lead to feelings of loneliness, hopelessness, and despair.

Increased Risk of Infectious Diseases

You might think snorting heroin is safer than injecting, but it still carries a risk of infections. Using unclean heroin or paraphernalia can introduce bacteria into your nasal passages, potentially leading to:

  • Infections.
  • Abscesses.
  • In some severe cases, life-threatening conditions like meningitis or sepsis.

Even if you’re not injecting, the risk of infection is still very real. The substance use might seem less risky than injecting, but the consequences can still be life-threatening.

The long-term effects of snorting heroin can leave you with lasting physical, emotional, and health problems. Over time, these health effects can become harder to manage, and the damage can feel irreversible. If you or someone you care about is struggling, it’s crucial to seek treatment as soon as possible.

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Treatment & Support Options

How Can You Get Help for Heroin Addiction?

If you or someone you care about is struggling with heroin addiction, remember that recovery is possible. Addiction is tough, no doubt about it. But there’s support and a path forward.

Tools for Recovery

Recovering from heroin addiction isn’t something most people achieve on their own. It takes a mix of support, resources, and professional help. Recovery often involves:

  • Medical detox to safely clear your system.
  • Behavioral therapy to work through the deeper issues.
  • Ongoing support to keep you on track.

Behavioral therapy, in particular, can help you understand the triggers behind your addiction. It’s not just about the physical cravings, but also the psychological ones. You will learn better ways to cope and deal with any mental health issues you may have. Many people face these challenges when dealing with heroin addiction.

By dealing with these issues, you reduce your chances of relapse. You also gain tools to handle cravings, emotional pain, and other challenges you may face.

These resources are there to help you rebuild your life, step by step, with the right support at every turn.

Inpatient Rehabilitation

If you’re considering inpatient rehab, it might be exactly what you need for a focused, immersive treatment experience. You will need to live at the treatment center for the entire duration of your treatment. These programs are designed to give you the 24/7 care and support you need to heal.

Inpatient rehab provides a safe place. Here, you can avoid distractions and focus completely on your recovery. People trained to help will surround you, giving you the space and support to heal.

Outpatient Treatment

Maybe inpatient treatment doesn’t fit with your schedule or lifestyle. That’s okay—outpatient treatment can offer more flexibility. You’ll still get therapy, counseling, and medical care, but you can return home after each session. For many, combining outpatient care with other tools for recovery, like medication-assisted treatment, can make all the difference.

Support Groups

You don’t have to do this alone. The support groups, like Narcotics Anonymous, put you among people who are in somewhat the same journey as you. You will be enlightened by their stories, and they by yours.

It is a strong way to hold yourself accountable. You can share what you are going through. This helps remind you that recovery is possible for everyone.

The road to recovery may be long, but it is well worth traveling if the support is good.

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Heroin Addiction Treatment at Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Heroin can start to feel like it controls every part of your life—physically, mentally, and even financially. If you’re snorting heroin, it might seem like it has a hold on you that’s impossible to break.

Taking the first step to leave it behind? That can be intimidating, even overwhelming. But when you do, you’ll start to rediscover yourself in ways you never imagined. The world will look different, more hopeful, and more like you want it to.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with opioid use disorder, don’t wait for things to get worse. It’s never too late to get the help you need.

At Rolling Hills, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our program includes medication-assisted treatment along with Partial Hospitalization, Intensive Outpatient, General Outpatient, and evidence-based and holistic therapy options.

You won’t have to put life on hold—whether it’s work, school, or family. Get in touch with RHRC today and take the first step toward a new, healthier future.

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Written By:

Geoffrey Andaria

Geoffrey Andaria mental health writer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Mental Health Writer

About Author:

Geoffrey Andaria is an experienced mental health content writer and editor. With a B.A. in English and Journalism, Geoffrey is highly educated in freelance articles and research. Having taken courses on social work, Geoffrey is adamant about providing valuable and educational information to individuals affected by mental health and the disease of addiction.

Medically Reviewed By:

Dr. Carl Williams Ph.D., LCADC

Carl Williams, medical content reviewer at rolling hills recovery center
Rolling Hills Recovery Center

Expert Contributor

About Reviewer:

Dr. Williams presently serves on the board of Directors for two non-profit service organizations. He holds a Master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University, Philadelphia, Pa, and a Ph.D. with a concentration in Clinical Psychology from Union Institute and University. In Cincinnati, Ohio. He is licensed to practice addictions counseling in both New Jersey and Connecticut and has a pending application as a practicing Psychologist in New Jersey.

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