Left the Scene's guide to spotting heroin users

#1
In my estimation, IV drug use, even among established older well reviewed providers is much more common than many here seem to thin it is.

Here are a few tips:

Itching: Heroin makes one itch. Not only that, but scratching feels REALLY good. Is the person scratching every time you see them? It may just be they are using the wrong soap, but it could be they are using heroin. Junkys LOVE to scratch.

Nodding: Does the person tend to doze out of it, oftentimes mid sentence, and then suddenly snap back to normal? Do they seem unaware that they are doing it? They could just be sleep deprived, but then again...

Vomiting: Heroin makes one vomit right after use. Did the person puke for no obvious reason? Many junkies will hold part of their stash until they know they are about to get paid, and can get more. So many providers do their dope right before a session. If she pukes early on in the session on more than one occasion, it's a pretty sure sign.

Running nose: Does the provider seem to always have a cold? Heroin does that. Gives you a runny nose.

Eyes: Sometimes one can get watery eyes from heroin. But more common is the effect on the pupils: they shrink and go pinpoint.

Track Marks/scarring: This is probably the single most misunderstood of them all. We all know what classic needle marks look like. However, very often in real life they look nothing like this. Fresh IV needle marks are often small circular bruises. dime to quarter sized. Not the classic pinpoint marks like you get after a blood test. Also, don't expect them in the inside of the elbow. Back of the hand or back of the forearm are more common. Also look for small raised wart like scars - these occur from injecting in the same spot over and over again. Sometimes this will be the ONLY sign - I knew one (older) provider who ALWAYS hit the exact same spot - which was in her crotch, BTW. The only sign was a wart like scar about a 16th of an inch high by an 8th of an inch wide in the crook where the leg meets the groin. BTW, she used to post here, but has not done so in over 5 years. Hope she is still alive...

Abscess Scars: Oftentimes infections occur, and an abscess will form. Especially if the person tends to "skin pop" rather than inject into a vein. Look for round scars that may look like a smallpox vaccine scar. Could be anywhere on the body. I knew one girl who's tits were covered with such scars! (and she confirmed that was what they were)

Lastly: Withdrawal. If a provider is in the business to support a habit, sometimes they will be in a situation where they didn't get enough cash together in time. Look for twitchyness -- does the person "bounce" one or the other knee when sitting still? Do they seem all of a sudden overly restless? Just CAN'T seem to stay still? Arms or legs suddenly jerk for no reason? Do they have the runs all of a sudden? Cranky and irritable for no apparent reason? Are they telling you they have not slept for days? Don't immediately jump to the conclusion that they are on coke or meth - it could be they are in need of a dope fix. And, for those who have experienced it, there is a SMELL. Sort of a burnt acrid smell that people get when in withdrawal. Once you make the connection of what that smell is, you will never not notice it again.
 
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