Track Marks & Other Signs of IV Drug Use
If you suspect that a loved one has started using intravenous (IV) drugs, then you’ll want to start looking for track marks. You can find these scars at the injection site, which is often the non-dominant arm of the user. Whether you’ve seen the track marks yourself or you suspect that a loved one is injecting drugs, you may feel uncertain about where to go from here.
To help you make healthy decisions for yourself and your loved one, we’ve compiled this resource on what you need to know about track marks and other signs of IV drug use.
Table of Contents
While track marks look different depending on the individual’s usage habits, they generally appear as small holes in the forearm. Among new IV drug users who may not use every day, these holes may appear as small scabs. This is because they are not using every day, so their skin has time to heal between injections.
However, in long-term users of IV drugs, the holes will likely be light pink or red to indicate recent sites of injection. In fact, many chronic heroin users develop marks along the length of their veins, so they may not even look like individual holes anymore. In cases like this, skin infections and buildup of scar tissue are common byproducts of IV drug use.
Once the track marks have permanently damaged the injection sites on their forearms, most heroin users will move to other areas, such as their neck, feet, hands, or groin. So even if you notice that your loved one’s arms have started to heal, that does not mean that they have stopped abusing drugs.
As one of the tell-tale signs of heroin use, people often wonder if track marks are dangerous. Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Not only do track marks signal a larger danger from IV drug use, but they present significant danger in and of themselves. These harmful health risks include:
As you can see, track marks do much more than cosmetic damage. Of course, many IV drug users go to great lengths to hide these injection scars. In cases like this, you may need to look for other signs that your loved one uses intravenous drugs.
Even if you have not seen track marks on your loved one, they could still be injecting drugs like heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine. Here are some of the signs to watch out for:
If you suspect that your loved one is addicted to IV drugs, you may want to confront them about it immediately. And while that’s understandable and a normal reaction, the best way to help your loved one is by creating a plan.
If you want to stage an intervention for your loved one, the most important step is having a clear plan of action. That means anticipating what level of care your loved one will need as well as finding the right addiction treatment center for them.
For example, depending on what intravenous drugs your loved one has been using, they might require a medical drug detox. This evidence-based treatment option helps people with substance use disorders manage their withdrawal symptoms safely and as comfortably as possible. From there, your loved one may need an inpatient dual diagnosis program to address both their IV drug problem and underlying mental health issues. This treatment program gives people the skills necessary to lead a healthy life and stay drug-free in the long-term.
Once you have a plan in place, you can talk to your loved one about their track marks or other signs of intravenous drug use. If you already know where they can get help, it’ll be harder for them to say no.
Would you like to learn more about how we help people recovery from intravenous drug addiction? Call our admissions specialists at 888-512-9802 or send your questions through a confidential contact form. Finding track marks on a loved one can be scary, but we can help you navigate the next steps in getting them help.
The post Track Marks & Other Signs of IV Drug Use appeared first on The Blackberry Center of Central Florida.
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Original Author: The Blackberry Center
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