Ever since the last two major heroin epidemics in the US, heroin has come a long way. Right now, the street names created for heroin are smack, skag, Mexican brown, junk, china white, chiva, and of course, black tar.

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Get to Know Black Tar Heroin

Black tar heroin is the rougher form of heroin. It is called black tar heroin because of its sticky appearance, its color, and its coarse texture. It is also popularly known as Mexican black tar heroin and Mexican cartels consider it as a major export drug. As a matter of fact, it is prevalent in Canada and West of the Mississippi River.

There are many people who argue that black tar heroin is not as pure and as strong as its white and powder counterpart. However, according to most studies, street heroin, regardless of color, is never pure, thus, is more likely to cause stronger and more lethal effects.

Black Tar Heroin Effects

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, every type of heroin carry similar effects. The only difference between the white and black varieties is the level of purity. White heroin may be purer, however, to cut on the production expenses, it is usually mixed with other unknown substances. Black heroin, on the other hand, is only 30% pure. This is because black heroin production involves a cruder and faster process.

Though the rougher process makes the price of black tar heroin cheaper, the same process also makes the heroin less pure, thus causing more toxic effects.

According to the Journal of the American College of CHEST Physicians, the following are the known effects of heroin: 

1. Indifference
2. Reduced nervousness
3. Relieved tension
4. Satisfaction
5. Tiredness

The short-term effects of heroin include the following:

1. Drowsiness
2. Dry mouth
3. Heaviness of the limbs
4. Reddened skin
5. Troubled thinking

All those who use black tar heroin can feel the effects from the very first time of use. Sadly, these are the anticipated effects that make people repeatedly take it not knowing they will get addicted to it. As expected, the longer a person takes heroin, the more inclined he is to fall into heroin overdose.

The long-term effects of heroin include the following: 

1. Sleeplessness which can end in insomnia
2. Collapsed veins which are a result of frequent and prolonged intravenous use
3. Tissues are damaged in the area where the drug is always ingested
4. Heart valves and heart lining infections
5. Abscesses
6. Swollen tissues
7. Pus on tissues
8. Stomach cramps
9. Constipation
10. Kidney malfunction
11. Liver failure
12. Lung disease
13. Mental illnesses
14. For men, they might experience erectile dysfunction
15. For women, they might experience irregular menstrual cycles

Black Tar Heroin Statistics

Even if black tar heroin is a popular drug transported in various countries by the drug trafficking groups from Mexico, the main reason why these drug traffickers are less likely to get caught and be charged criminally is that these drugs are transported in small, minute quantities.

As of this date, more than 80% of the total American population who are suffering from heroin addiction said that it all started with misuse of a prescribed opioid drug. Last year, there were almost 1 million heroin users and addicts in the United States. This is one great leap from the 400,000 total in the year 2003.

Heroin Overdose Signs

Below are some warning signs that could mean that the person might be suffering from heroin overdose:

1. Shallow breathing
2. Drying of the mouth
3. Abnormally-relaxed pulse
4. Lips turning blue

Though this is not an exclusive list of symptoms indicating heroin overdose, if you, or a loved one, are experiencing any or all of these symptoms, the best thing to do to avoid fatal side effects is to call a physician or to bring the patient to the nearest hospital to get immediate medical attention.

Black Tar Heroin Addiction

Those who have become addicted to heroin might not have started using the drug intentionally. According to statistics, on the average, an addicted individual only starts using heroin after they have already developed an addiction to opioids.

Most of the time, they start using prescription opioids to deal with pain. However, after their prescription medications run out, they realize that they’re already addicted to it. Therefore, to satisfy their cravings for the drug, they start looking for another way to keep experiencing the same effects they felt with prescription opioids.

Symptoms of heroin addiction include:

1. Abrupt and excessive weight loss
2. Absence of any kind of motivation
3. Cautious behavior
4. Collapsed veins
5. Constipation
6. Despair
7. Extreme lethargy or dozing off
8. Garbled speech
9. Monetary problems, scrounging for money
10. Queasiness and heaving
11. Red eyes
12. Severe prickliness
13. Shortness of breath
14. Sudden or drastic changes in one’s appearance
15. Suspicion

Treatment for Black Tar Heroin Addiction

If you or a loved one is suffering from black tar heroin addiction, don’t shut yourself off from the rest of the world. Get help. Talk to the addiction specialist at Chapters Capistrano about your personal addiction circumstances and ask for treatment options appropriate to your condition. No need to think about stigma or judgments. The more important concern is for you to bounce back, get treatment, and reclaim your sobriety.