What Is Heroin Arm?
Heroin is an opioid that can be administered through injection. This method of drug use can inflict serious harm on the skin and veins, resulting in darkened, discolored patches, particularly on the arms. One of the ways how to tell if someone is using heroin is the presence of track marks and scabs on the user’s arms. These track marks often manifest as small, dark spots or bruise-like areas, typically arranged in a linear fashion or grouped together. Frequent injections, especially with unclean or dull needles, can lead to raised, red, or purple abscesses that may eventually leave scars. Users may develop numerous track marks on one or both arms, a condition commonly referred to as heroin arm.
While all drug use poses significant adverse effects, intravenous (IV) drug use is particularly dangerous. The misuse of IV drugs can lead to a variety of skin issues, heightening the risk of infections and potentially resulting in severe long-term health complications or even death. Many IV drug users tend to reuse or share needles, which can facilitate the spread of bacteria and viruses. Using contaminated needles or water to mix heroin can introduce harmful bacteria and fungi directly into the bloodstream. According to a journal article from the National Library of Medicine, individuals who inject heroin and other opioids face a heightened risk of infectious diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and viral hepatitis. Other risk factors for IV drug use include abscesses, collapsed veins, staph infections, cellulitis, skin ulcers, and flesh-eating diseases like necrotizing fasciitis.
What Does Heroin Do to Your Arms?
Heroin products with higher purity levels enable users to consume the drug in various ways, such as snorting or smoking, rather than solely through injection. However, many individuals ultimately choose to inject it because this method delivers effects much more rapidly, often within seconds, and produces a more intense high. Unfortunately, repeated intravenous use can lead to significant damage, including bruising, discoloration, scabs, and scar tissue on the skin. The term heroin arm describes the visible scarring and track marks that result from frequent injections.
Continued use of heroin through IV can lead to collapsed veins, a condition where the vein walls sustain damage and close off, obstructing blood flow. This can trigger serious health issues, such as blood clots, tissue damage, chronic pain, infections, reduced mobility, and chronic venous insufficiency. In extreme cases, collapsed veins may lead to necrosis or tissue death, potentially requiring amputation.
Moreover, injecting heroin carries the risk of both localized and systemic infections. Unsafe practices, like neglecting to clean the skin before injecting, can drive bacteria and fungi deep into the body. Infections may also arise from reusing needles, sharing them, or using contaminated water to prepare the drug. It can be challenging to understand why someone would continue using heroin despite these dangers, but why heroin is so addictive is because it disrupts logical thinking by altering brain function, causing individuals to prioritize heroin use over rational consequences.
Can Heroin Cause Arm Numbness?
Intravenous heroin use can lead to arm numbness, especially with repeated use. Repeated injections can cause veins to collapse, obstructing blood flow in the arm and leading to numbness. These collapsed veins may heal over time if the damage isn’t too extensive. However, veins damaged by IV drug use often remain permanently affected, resulting in permanently restricted or stopped blow flow. Occasionally, the body may develop new, smaller veins to make up for the lost circulation, but these veins tend to be weaker, unsuitable for injections, and may not provide adequate blood flow, contributing to lasting arm numbness.
Moreover, the harmful effects of heroin can also harm peripheral nerves, which can further lead to numbness in the arms. According to MedLine, neuropathy—an injury to one or more peripheral nerves—can arise as a consequence of illicit drug use, resulting in symptoms like numbness, tingling, weakness, and burning sensations in the arm. While treatments for neuropathy can help alleviate symptoms, there are currently no medications available that can restore lost sensation.
Does Heavy Use of Heroin Create Scabs on the Outside of Your Arm?
Signs of heroin use can be identified by the presence of track marks, particularly noticeable in the inner arm crease. Prolonged intravenous use of heroin can lead to painful sores that are difficult to heal, resulting from both repeated trauma and a compromised immune system. These sores may eventually scab and leave scars. Furthermore, frequent IV drug use often leads to noticeable bruising in the same regions. As heroin use continues, these markings tend to worsen, giving the impression that they never fully heal.
Why Does Heroin Feel Cold Within Your Arm?
Individuals who use heroin through injection typically mix the substance with water, and if the water is cooler than body temperature, it can feel cold in the arm. Powdered heroin can dissolve in water at room temperature, which also results in a cold feeling. In contrast, coarse and black heroin are often heated before injection, which may not produce the same cold sensation. A study from the National Library of Medicine indicates that black tar heroin is usually prepared for injection using heat, which can lower the risk of HIV transmission by deactivating the virus. This heating process also reduces the likelihood of infections by eliminating bacteria and other microbes in the water.
Black tar heroin is a sticky, tar-like substance that is a less refined form of heroin, often containing a significant amount of impurities. This type poses higher risks for users who inject it, as the impurities can block blood vessels and potentially cause organ damage. Moreover, because it is often mixed with other substances like fentanyl, its potency can fluctuate, heightening the risk of overdose.
Overcome Heroin Arm Through Addiction Treatment at WhiteSands
Over time, track marks may heal, but they often leave behind scar tissue and are unlikely to disappear entirely. Prolonged heroin use significantly increases the risk of serious health complications, such as infections, skin necrosis that could lead to amputations, overdose, and the potential for contracting HIV or Hepatitis C, which can ultimately result in death. The only effective way to treat heroin arm and prevent further damage is to stop using the drug. While overcoming heroin addiction is challenging, it is possible with expert support.
WhiteSands Treatment is a network of highly accredited drug and alcohol rehab centers across Florida. Our extensive treatment programs offer patients evidence-based addiction therapies, medications, and holistic methods. We strongly encourage individuals struggling with heroin to initiate their recovery journey through our medical detox programs, which provide medications to alleviate withdrawal symptoms and cravings, all while being monitored by a dedicated team of medical professionals. Following detox, our inpatient treatment program lays a strong foundation for long-term recovery in a serene and supportive setting. We remain committed to supporting our patients throughout their recovery journey with transitional outpatient programs and aftercare services, ensuring they never face the challenges of recovery alone.
Recovery from heroin addiction is possible for anyone, and you can take the first step toward living your best life today by reaching out to us at 877-855-3470 to speak with one of our admissions counselors.
External LinksÂ
- National Library of Medicine – Cold Preparation of Heroin in a Black Tar MarketÂ
- National Library of Medicine – Infectious Complications of Injection Drug UseÂ
- MedlinePlus – Neuropathy Secondary to DrugsÂ
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
