Types of Heroin Paraphernalia to Look Out For

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Sometimes a person you love is in danger, but you don’t realize what’s happening yet. When a loved one becomes addicted to drugs, the first sign may be finding the equipment they have to use the drug. When someone becomes addicted to heroin, they often have certain pieces that may not be easily recognizable for their purpose. For example, you may find a heroin spoon or other items. Learning how to identify heroin paraphernalia can help you realize the dangerous situation someone you care about is in. 

Importance of Recognizing Heroin Paraphernalia

You might know someone who has a heroin addiction but not be aware of their problem. That makes it important to recognize heroin paraphernalia when you see it. Items like heroin spoons might seem innocent enough until you understand something like that can be used for more than eating a meal. If you find concrete signs that someone has developed a substance use disorder, you can talk to them about it. This often leads to them feeling like they aren’t alone and can get the professional treatment they need. 

Heroin abuse is more common than many people realize. In 2020, approximately 902,000 Americans aged 12 and older used heroin at least once in the previous 12 months. In the same year, over 13,000 people died from an overdose that involved the use of heroin. 

Methods of Heroin Use 

Heroin can be taken by using different types of delivery methods. Many people prefer to inject the drug. Doing this puts the drug into a vein or a muscle, and it enters the bloodstream. This method provides the quickest effect of getting high, with the high often happening within just a few minutes. Injecting heroin also requires several pieces of paraphernalia. 

Another way to use heroin is by snorting it. When the drug is in very pure form, it can produce a euphoric type of high many users prefer. Similar to cocaine, people use items like a straw, rolled-up paper, or a little tube to snort it up their noses.

Another way to use heroin is by smoking it. This can be done with rolling papers used for smoking cigarettes or marijuana or with a pipe. Each method can cause physical harm to the body. 

Types of Heroin Paraphernalia

Many types of heroin paraphernalia can be used in order for a person to administer the drug. Knowing what to look for can help you uncover a secret substance use disorder someone is attempting to hide. 

Spoon

One of the most common pieces of paraphernalia is a heroin spoon. Spoons are used in order to heat or “cook” heroin. This process turns heroin tar or powdered heroin into a liquid that can be injected. 

Foil

Heroin can be placed on aluminum foil when smoking it. Foil can also be used to conceal small amounts of the drug.

Cotton

What might seem like a harmless product in any bathroom can be a piece of heroin paraphernalia. Cotton balls are used to strain liquid heroin and separate the pieces that do not melt when heated. 

Needles

Heroin users commonly use needles to inject the drug.

Pipes

Heroin is sometimes placed in a pipe and smoked. A regular tobacco pipe or one used for marijuana can be used. 

Helping man get to detox after finding heroin paraphernalia in his house

What To Do If You Find Heroin Paraphernalia With a Loved One

If you find heroin paraphernalia, it’s important to take action immediately. Someone lost in a heroin addiction typically has difficulty asking for help. In fact, they may be in denial about their situation. When confronting someone with an addiction, it’s important to try to talk to them when they are not high. Explain to them that you know they have an illness and need help. Speak in a non-judgmental tone while also making it clear that this is a serious situation. 

It can be quite helpful to have an idea of what kind of treatment the person can get already. Contacting a heroin detox facility can give you the information you can pass on to your loved one. Often, a person feels better about accepting help if it doesn’t seem mysterious. Knowing where they can go, what will happen there, and a timeframe for staying can help them agree to enter a professional treatment program. 

Contact Our Heroin Detox Facility in Phoenix, Arizona

Are you struggling with an addiction to heroin and need help getting better? Maybe you know someone who needs professional help. Heroin causes a great deal of damage to many people, even putting them at risk of overdosing. If you are ready to put your life together and enjoy sobriety, we can help. At Zenith Behavioral Health, we know how to help you leave drug abuse in your past. We provide a variety of types of therapy that treat heroin addiction. As a result, you learn to improve your physical and mental health and reach your full potential. 

For more information about our heroin detox program for adults, contact our team today. We can answer all your questions and help you get started on a better tomorrow.