IV drug use is a term used to describe a person injecting drugs into their veins. While IV drug use is usually associated with heroin, you can inject a variety of other drugs, including meth, crack, cocaine, and even some prescription drugs.
According to a study published by Oxford Academic. “3,694,500 people injected drugs in the United States in 2018.”[1]
There are a variety of risks associated with IV drug use, including developing infectious diseases like HIV or hepatitis, experiencing life-threatening overdoses, long-term physical health problems like organ damage, and blown or collapsed veins.
A blown vein occurs when the needle goes into your vein and comes out through the other side. It means the vein has ruptured and is leaking blood. A common sign of a blown vein is darkening skin around the injection site.
Blown veins can happen from using the wrong-sized needle and improper injection techniques, like incorrect angles and moving during insertion. It is common to experience blown veins when you use IV drugs, as you are not professionally trained to complete injections.
In this article, you will learn:
What you will learn:
- What are the dangers of IV drug use?
- Can IV drug use cause blown veins?
- Can you prevent blown veins when injecting drugs?
What are the Risks of IV Drug Use?
IV drug use involves introducing a drug directly into your bloodstream through a needle. Using intravenous drugs comes with a high risk of life-threatening overdoses and long-term health problems.
The main risks of using IV drugs include:
- Abscesses and infections
- Tissue damage
- Blown and collapsed veins
- Skin ulcers
- Organ damage from long-term drug use
- Overdoses from injecting high doses of illicit drugs
IV drug users also have a high risk of developing infectious diseases like HIV or Hepatitis. If you share needles with other people, your body comes in contact with their blood. As a result, you are more likely to contract diseases from the people you share needles with.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 1 in 8 people who inject drugs live with HIV.[2]
Can You Get a Blown Vein From IV Drug Use?
IV drug use often leads to blown veins. This can occur for a variety of reasons. First, injecting a needle into your vein repeatedly damages it, causing it to become inflamed and more susceptible to rupturing.
Another way that injecting drugs leads to blown veins is related to the drug itself. These substances are not designed to be injected into your veins. As a result, they irritate them, causing them to swell and rupture or completely collapse.
Lastly, IV drug users might not be careful when they are injecting drugs. This could cause them to insert the needle improperly, causing a blown vein to form. Additionally, injecting drugs into parts of the body that are hard to see or reach can lead to improper insertion as well.
The signs of a blown vein from IV drug use include:
- Tenderness or mild pain around the insertion site and surrounding tissue
- Stinging sensations
- Bruising on the tissue near the injection site
- Swelling around the injection site
Blown veins disrupt the blood flow, however, they are not life-threatening. You should apply pressure to stop the bleeding and thoroughly clean the area to prevent infection. While you won’t be able to use that vein for some time, it is not a cause for significant concern.
Can You Prevent Blown Veins?
When you engage in IV drug use, blown veins are bound to happen at some point. The only way to ensure you prevent blown veins is to stop injecting drugs. This can be incredibly difficult, so you should always receive support from a professional addiction treatment center.
That said, there are ways to lessen the chances of blown veins, including:
- Drinking plenty of water before injecting, as it’s easier to find your veins when you are hydrated
- Choose a vein that is large enough, straight, and visible
- Use a tourniquet to make the vein easier to find
- Choose the correct needle size for your vein
- Make sure to use a 30-degree angle or less when injecting into your vein
- Stabilize the vein by applying pressure with your thumb under the puncture site
- Release your tourniquet before pulling the needle out
- Take a slow and steady approach when inserting and pulling out the needle
- Apply gentle pressure to the injection site immediately after pulling the needle out
While these tips can help prevent blown veins, you should seek help for your IV drug use. Injecting drugs increases your risk of viral infections, long-term health problems, organ damage, and life-threatening overdoses. Addiction treatment centers can provide you with the tools and support you need to stop injecting drugs once and for all.
Get Connected to Addiction Treatment for IV Drug Use
If you engage in IV substance abuse, it’s time to seek professional help. At PAX Memphis, we can provide you with an in-depth assessment to determine your recovery needs and refer you to a highly-rated IV drug rehab center.
Attending addiction treatment will prevent you from experiencing the long-term risks of IV drug use and help you regain control over your life.
Contact us today for more information on how we can connect you with an addiction treatment center that suits your needs.
References:
- Oxford Academic: Estimated Number of People Who Inject Drugs in the United States
- The World Health Organization (WHO): People who inject drugs