What Does Heroin Look Like?

Black Tar

What does black tar heroin look like?

Black tar heroin looks like a black, sticky substance that gets its name from its tar-like consistency.

What does black tar heroin smell like?

Black tar heroin has a vinegar sweet smell that’s very odd but distinctive.

How is each type of heroin used?

Powder Heroin (White or Brown)

Powder heroin can be snorted, injected, or sometimes smoked.

Black Tar Heroin

Black tar heroin is usually injected, snorted, or smoked.

Paraphernalia associated with Powder Heroin

Intravenous Use:

Needles, syringes, ties, and lighters can signify IV powder heroin use. Also, the use of spoons is heavily associated with heroin use.

Are Spoons a Sign of Heroin Use?

When heroin is being injected, it’s common that spoons will be left lying around and have a burnt black residue on the bottom from holding a lighter to heat it. It’s also possible that the spoons have a small cotton ball left in the middle to filter the heroin and ensure that only liquid is brought into the syringe before being injected. If your spoons disappear in your house and never return, yet all other utensils are still around, this can be another clue.

Snorting Heroin:

Snorting requires a small piece of metal or glass to use as a snorter, often referred to as a “tooter.” A straw or rolled-up paper can also be used for snorting. If you find dollar bills or other types of paper rolled up and left lying around frequently, this can be a huge sign of heroin use. However, other drugs are also snorted similarly. Another sign is mirrors or flat surfaces with powder residue.

Smoking Powder Heroin:

Powder heroin is not normally smoked, but some may try to do so. In this case, look for tinfoil with burn marks, lighters, and straws used to inhale the drug. Smoking heroin may require a metal, wood, or glass pipe.

Paraphernalia associated with Black Tar Heroin

IV BLACK TAR HEROIN USE: 

Someone injecting black tar heroin may leave behind needles, syringes, ties, and lighters. Spoons lying around or missing from the silverware drawer are also a huge indicator of IV drug use (see above reference: Are spoons a sign of heroin use?)

Smoking Black Tar Heroin:

Black tar heroin is commonly smoked with a piece of aluminum foil. The user will light the bottom of the foil and then the drug will melt along the tinfoil. If you’re finding random pieces of tin foil around with black marks on them, it’s possible that it’s from black tar heroin smoking.

How Do I Know if Someone is Using Heroin?

To know if someone is using heroin, you will also want to look out for the physical signs.

General Physical Signs of Heroin Use:

• Pinpoint pupils

• Slowed breathing

• Flushed skin

• Sweating/itching

• Nausea and vomiting

• Lack of coordination or balance

• Slurred speech/drowsiness

Signs of IV Heroin Use:

• Track marks or dark markings on the arms, legs, or other parts of the body.
• Abscesses and infections on the arm
• Bruising on the arms or legs
• Pronounced veins

Watch this informative video interview on heroin addiction.

If you notice these physical signs, your loved one may be using heroin. In addition to physical signs, check for paraphernalia (as listed above) associated with heroin use.

If you notice anything suspicious or have questions, you can ask the person to take a drug test.

If the person refuses to take a drug test or fails it, the next step is to seek a heroin addiction treatment program.