Heroin does not have any medical uses and you can only purchase the drug on the black market. This means that even though the substance is called heroin, the ingredients vary wildly. Other substances and drugs are added by dealers to increase the quantity while lowering their expenses. Heroin is usually purchased as a:
• White powder
• Black substance similar in consistency to tar
• Clear solution
Substances are often hidden within the heroin even if you are told it is pure. This occurs so frequently, the purity of heroin is between three and 99 percent. Determining the effect you will receive is nearly impossible. This makes heroin incredibly dangerous.
What is Heroin Cut With?
Heroin can be cut with a wide range of substances. When in a white powdery form, it is often cut using:
• Laundry detergent
• Sugar
• Baking soda
• Baby powder
• Powdered milk
Some of the above substances are fairly harmless while others are dangerous if you inject or snort them. Sometimes the substance used will mask your overdose symptoms but will not decrease your risk of overdosing. Heroin is also cut using:
• Caffeine
• Crushed painkillers available over-the-counter
• Talcum powder
• Rat poison
• Starch
Psychoactive Ingredients
Diamorphine or diacetylmorphine is a potent painkiller using the opium poppy’s latex sap for synthesizing. This is called an opiate and the key psychoactive ingredient in the drug. This ingredient is the reason you have become dependent on heroin. To maintain the same effect, you need to consistently increase your dosage.
Fentanyl
Illegally manufactured fentanyl has been contaminating many drugs including heroin. This is an opioid pain killer more dangerous and stronger than heroin. If you are aware of this contamination, you may have used a rapid test strip to determine if fentanyl is present to decrease your risks.
Methamphetamines
Meth is a stimulant used to cut street heroin. When combined with the relaxing properties of heroin the result is euphoria. Meth contains toxic chemicals with significant risks. If you inject heroin cut with meth into your bloodstream it is extremely dangerous.
Local Anesthetics
Street heroin can be cut using local anesthetics including xylocaine. Despite the legal use of anesthetics for medical and dental purposes, there are additional risks and issues including side effects, adverse effects on your health and potential allergens. These risks are not taken into consideration by dealers.
Black Tar Heroin
Black tar heroin resembles a brownish-black substance sold in a sticky chunk. The process used for manufacturing this type of heroin is extremely crude. The result is much more unrefined as opposed to heroin in a white power form. You have no way of knowing what the substance is cut with.
Chemical Additives
There are several different processes to make heroin using opium. The facility might be legitimate and staffed by qualified chemists. You are taking a risk since the laboratory can also be clandestine with illicit drug manufacturers in charge. Sometimes, heroin is produced by drug manufacturers with no understanding of chemistry in a home lab.
Prescription painkillers including oxycodone are converted into street heroin. Any heroin you purchase on the street can contain chemical contaminants resulting from the manufacturing process. This includes:
• Ammonia
• Hydrochloric acid
• Calcium oxide
• Acetic anhydride
• Chloroform
Potential Toxins
Poisons can be used for cutting heroine including strychnine. This is one of the toxic ingredients used to manufacture rat poison. Unfortunately, strychnine is also used to cut heroin. Strychnine poisoning is incredibly dangerous resulting in psychological and physical symptoms including:
• Agitation
• Restlessness
• Increased startle response
• Anxiety
• Muscle spasms and pain
• Arching of your back and neck
• Jaw tension
• Rigidity in your legs and arms
Fillers
Fillers are different types of ingredients added to increase the profit of the drug dealers. Although certain fillers are harmless, some are very dangerous such as dirt and black shoe polish. White powder heroin often includes quinine to add a bitter taste.
Clostridium Botulinum
Clostridium botulinum is a toxic contaminant found in soil spores sometimes used to cut black tar heroin. This bacteria can cause a type of food poisoning potentially fatal called botulism. If these spores enter any of your wounds, the result can be wound botulism. Although this type of infection is rare, the consequences are extremely serious.
Getting Help
We understand addiction to heroin is scary. You most likely feel like your life is spinning out of control. We are here to provide you with the help you need. Our counselors are available at 772-266-5320 24-hours everyday help. We urge you to pick up your phone and call us now.
