Over 3 million people injected drugs in the United States during the year of 2018.[1] Unfortunately, IV drug use is incredibly dangerous. While most people think of blood-borne diseases like HIV or hepatitis when considering the risks of IV drug use, there are other things to worry about.
A less severe risk of injecting drugs is collapsed veins. They occur more frequently than the development of infectious diseases. To explain, when you repeatedly engage in intravenous (IV) drug use in the same area, your veins can collapse.
A collapsed vein is an injury that develops when you overuse a vein. It is mainly caused by using blunt or old needles, large needle sizes, improper injection techniques, or contaminants inside the drugs that irritate the inside of the vein. You can tell that your vein has collapsed by looking out for symptoms of circulation issues, like itching, numbness, tingling, or a cold feeling in the area you injected.
- What is a collapsed vein
- Symptoms of a collapsed vein
- Are collapsed veins and varicose veins the same thing
- How are collapsed veins treated
What is a Collapsed Vein?
Collapsed veins are a type of injury that occurs after needles are inserted into a vein repeatedly. When the walls of your veins become irritated or swollen, clotting happens on the inside of the vein.
Because veins are intended to transport blood throughout your body, the clotting causes the vein to be unusable. The blood clots will harden into scar tissue and cause the vein to cave inward, restricting blood flow until the vein completely shuts.
Your body will compensate for collapsed veins by pushing more blood through smaller blood vessels in your circulatory system. These veins are called “new veins” and cannot be seen through the skin.
The long-term risks of collapsed veins include:
- Numbness, swelling, and discoloration
- Increased risk of infection
- Sores that do not heal
- Ulcers
- Necrosis or surrounding tissues that die due to blood loss
Injection sites like the legs or arms are 9x more likely to result in potential complications like ulcers.[2]
If you believe that you have collapsed veins, you should seek care from a healthcare professional. You should also consider attending professional addiction treatment to stop engaging in IV drug use and allow your veins to heal.
Symptoms of a Collapsed Vein
Damaged veins like collapsed veins are common risks associated with IV drug use. If you are worried that you have developed collapsed veins, there are signs to look out for.
Collapsed veins will lead to circulatory issues in the area of repeated injections, including:
- Itchiness
- Tingling
- Numbness
- Cold sensations
If you are having a hard time locating a vein that you usually use to inject drugs with, the vein most likely collapsed. While collapsed veins can cause bruising on the injection site, it does not occur every time. This is why it is best to look for signs of circulatory issues.
Are Collapsed and Varicose Veins the Same Thing?
Varicose veins are not the same as collapsed veins. While they sound similar, they have some differences among them.
Varicose veins are swollen and enlarged veins that bulge visibly under the skin. They are caused by age, obesity, pregnancy, vitamin K deficiencies, and a few other factors.[3] Varicose veins are simply weakened and distended due to poor blood flow.
On the other hand, collapsed veins have flattened and are no longer functional. They are caused by repeated needle insertions or trauma, often from IV drug use.
How are Collapsed Veins Treated?
Unfortunately, collapsed veins are permanent. Other than allowing the injection site to heal and preventing infection from occurring, there are no ways to treat a collapsed vein.
While the vein will never repair, there are ways to speed up the healing process of the surrounding skin and injection site. You should:
- Stop injecting in the area of the collapsed vein
- Keep the area clean while the skin is healing
- Use anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen to treat swelling
- See a doctor for antibiotics to prevent swelling, especially if the area is red, swollen, or hot to the touch
If you have collapsed veins, it’s time to consider your treatment options for your IV drug addiction. Collapsed veins are the least of your worries, as intravenous drug use increases your risk of developing blood-borne diseases and life-threatening overdoses.
Find Help for IV Drug Use
If you or a loved one injects drugs, it’s time to seek professional help. Drug addiction treatment centers can provide you with the tools and support you need to achieve long-term recovery. At PAX Memphis, we can connect you with a reputable rehab program in your area.
Contact us today to learn more about IV drug addiction treatment.
References:
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Estimated Number of People Who Inject Drugs in the United States
- Wiley Online Library: Impact of injection drug use on distribution and severity of chronic venous disorders
- The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI): Varicose Veins