Heroin Am I skin popping or IM my black tar?

[dwg52378]

Hello All, I am trying to find out if the method I am using for BTH is considered IM (intramuscular) or skin popping (subcutaneous) . I have been using BTH for about 8 weeks now, about twice a week with a friend of mine. He is an old timer and showed me how he does it, actually he usually does it for me. We are using ½” needles, 1cc, the gauge I think usually 27 or 28. I’m shooting it into my upper arm, meaning the side of my bicep near my shoulder (like where the doctor gives you a flu shot) I’m going pretty much straight in and all the way in. I believe I am “muscling” it but other people told me its skin popping. I know methods are very risky compared to IV, I have read up and I do know that. I’m on MMT 85mg daily, I’m not new to opiates, just new to this method. My friend doesn’t IV because his veins are shot. I’m just doing it the way he wants to that’s why I haven’t tried IV yet. From what I have read it’s almost unheard of to start out doing IM and is considered a waste and comes with more health risks like abscesses, infection, scars, and even wound botulism. I’m just trying to figure out which method I’m doing. Thanks!

 

[Choosing_Positive]

Yea, I think you are right when you say that IM has more health risks. The only one risk that is more prevalent with IV would be the ultimate risk, that being an overdose. Does it really matter which method you're using? They both have significant drawbacks. If you are trying to get someone to tell you to just IV it, you have the wrong mindset. If want to do it, you need to come to your own terms with it. I would recommend not IV'ing, but I am not you....

 

[Tommyboy]

It is considered IMing. Skin popping would be if you go in at an angle and shoot it just below the epidermis. I believe most people pinch the skin to aid in this kind of administration.

You are correct that these methods cause more complications than IV use. It's your body, so you shouldn't be concerned with the way that he wants to do it. If you get an abscess he won't be the one needing medical attention to treat it.

If you aren't IVing it then I suggest either smoking it, plugging it, or making a solution to administer intranasally with an oral syringe. It's not too late to switch to those ROAs, and it will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

 

[dwg52378]

No I'm just curious, I would like to know what I am doing. I think skin popping is more risky and less effective than IM, thats why I'm asking. I was doing this because I was out of methadone and then just sort of kept doing it once in a while. I don't plan to continue doing it but that remains to be seen. I'm not asking for anybody to reccommend IV, I'm just asking which method I'm doing because I want to know.

 

[dwg52378]

It is considered IMing. Skin popping would be if you go in at an angle and shoot it just below the epidermis. I believe most people pinch the skin to aid in this kind of administration.

You are correct that these methods cause more complications than IV use. It's your body, so you shouldn't be concerned with the way that he wants to do it. If you get an abscess he won't be the one needing medical attention to treat it.

I agree with that 100%, I don't plan to keep doing it this way, I know it's a bad idea. At the time, I was sick and had no clue how to IV so I just did it his way. But I'm not going to continue it. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Tommyboy]

Well if you are going to continue with this ROA then I highly suggest using micron filters. It's your only hope in avoiding abscesses and/or other complications such as infections and skin problems.

 

[tricomb]

Please stop IMing black tar heroin. It's extremely dangerous the chances of an abscess or other serious possibly fatal complications are so insanely high.

You better be micron filtering that mess prior to injection.

 

[rhun]

Yes, it's IM not skin popping. The latter gets it's name because it involves shooting it under the skin. Where IM is just that, into the muscle.

For the sake of harm reduction, my advice is do not do either of these things. Especially with tar, which is really filthy. You're just asking for an infection or abscess, it's not a matter of if but when. Just because he can't find a vein anymore (which I'm sure is awful, don't get me wrong) doesn't mean he should be showing you such a bad way to do it. If he used to IV he should be completely capable of showing you how to IV. But there's plenty of resources on BL on how to IV safely and correctly, if you are going to continue to use definitely check them out.

Be very careful with tar. The potency varies drastically with every bag you buy, you really have no idea what you're getting. You could do the same amount five times the on the sixth time do the same amount again and OD because the purity was higher. Always do a little at a time. If you're set on doing it I would smoke it, you'll still feel the euphoria but it's much less risky and less addicting.

I would just stay on your methadone though honestly. Methadone lasts a long time where H wears off very quickly thus requiring you to get high more often which can really effect your everyday life. But whatever you do, do it safely

 

[rhun]

Please stop IMing black tar heroin. It's extremely dangerous the chances of an abscess or other serious possibly fatal complications are so insanely high.

You better be micron filtering that mess prior to injection.

Exactly.

 

[dwg52378]

Thanks (to both Mods) for the advice and information, I won't keep doing it this way. I plan to just stick to my MMT but I also know that I'm an addict and don't always stick to my plans so Plan B would be to just smoke it next time, if I do it at all. I know if I keep IM'ing something bad IS going to happen and probably sooner than later. I won't do it that way anymore. Thanks again for your help I really appreciate it.

In fact this last shot has left a raised area that I'm already a little worried about. Hopefully it goes away..

Yes, it's IM not skin popping. The latter gets it's name because it involves shooting it under the skin. Where IM is just that, into the muscle.

For the sake of harm reduction, my advice is do not do either of these things. Especially with tar, which is really filthy. You're just asking for an infection or abscess, it's not a matter of if but when. Just because he can't find a vein anymore (which I'm sure is awful, don't get me wrong) doesn't mean he should be showing you such a bad way to do it. If he used to IV he should be completely capable of showing you how to IV. But there's plenty of resources on BL on how to IV safely and correctly, if you are going to continue to use definitely check them out.

Be very careful with tar. The potency varies drastically with every bag you buy, you really have no idea what you're getting. You could do the same amount five times the on the sixth time do the same amount again and OD because the purity was higher. Always do a little at a time. If you're set on doing it I would smoke it, you'll still feel the euphoria but it's much less risky and less addicting.

I would just stay on your methadone though honestly. Methadone lasts a long time where H wears off very quickly thus requiring you to get high more often which can really effect your everyday life. But whatever you do, do it safely

yeah I've come to the same conclusion. Plan A is sticking to my MMT, Plan B is smoking it, Plan B is IV. But I'm not going to IM anymore. Honestly, I'm not getting a whole lot of euphoria, just sedation / nods because of my methadone. so at first it was to keep me from being sick (I abused my take homes and was out of done) and now it's wierd, I crave the H like crazy but afterwards I'm like why did I do this I can hardly even feel it. and you're right, my friend easily could have showed me IV, his reason or excuse was that I would be strung out in a week if I did it that way.

 

[Coraline]

It could be subcutaneous if you have a lot of fat tissue on your biceps. If you are over weight you need a longer needle to reach the muscle. If you are lean with little fat 1/2 inch will be long enough to reach the muscle.

You need to rotate sites if you are going to continue that way to prevent tissue damage. Say twice a week, use each arm once. It will give your other arm time to heal before the next injection.

As others mention, IM or SQ BTH are very dangerous to put in your tissues (abscesses and infection). Make sure you use sterile equipment and fresh needles each time with mico filtration for impurities. Don't share needles either.

 

[rhun]

Thanks (to both Mods) for the advice and information, I won't keep doing it this way. I plan to just stick to my MMT but I also know that I'm an addict and don't always stick to my plans so Plan B would be to just smoke it next time, if I do it at all. I know if I keep IM'ing something bad IS going to happen and probably sooner than later. I won't do it that way anymore. Thanks again for your help I really appreciate it.

Seems like you're being pretty realistic, shit happens sometimes and you don't always do whats best.. it's good that you have a plan if you do end up not staying on the methadone. When I ran out of my Oxy I would sometimes have to resort to tar to avoid being sick, or if my tolerance got high, or if I just felt the need even. After a few days of smoking though I would get over the taste, having to smoke so frequently, and just feeling like crap because of what's in tar.. And start missing the stability of oxy.

 

[dwg52378]

I would just stay on your methadone though honestly. Methadone lasts a long time where H wears off very quickly thus requiring you to get high more often which can really effect your everyday life. But whatever you do, do it safely

Thanks, good advice!

Seems like you're being pretty realistic, shit happens sometimes and you don't always do whats best.. it's good that you have a plan if you do end up not staying on the methadone. When I ran out of my Oxy I would sometimes have to resort to tar to avoid being sick, or if my tolerance got high, or if I just felt the need even. After a few days of smoking though I would get over the taste, having to smoke so frequently, and just feeling like crap because of what's in tar.. And start missing the stability of oxy.

yeah shit does happen sometimes that's for sure. I too miss the clean consistency of pharmaceutical opiates which is what got me to the clinic in the 1st place. It's crazy how much we will sacrafice sometimes for such a shitty high, 10 minute rush and slight nod if any, there goes 50 bucks and the health risks too, it's nuts. I want to stick to my MMT so bad but sometimes I am just so dam weak and lacking will power I suppose.

 

[Tommyboy]

In fact this last shot has left a raised area that I'm already a little worried about. Hopefully it goes away..

Apply warm compresses to the area for 30 minutes at a time, 4x a day. If it gets worse (bigger and warm to the touch) then seek medical treatment. Trying to treat it on your own (aside from simple warm compresses) if it doesn't get better will only make it worse.

 

[dwg52378]

It could be subcutaneous if you have a lot of fat tissue on your biceps. If you are over weight you need a longer needle to reach the muscle. If you are lean with little fat 1/2 inch will be long enough to reach the muscle.

You need to rotate sites if you are going to continue that way to prevent tissue damage. Say twice a week, use each arm once. It will give your other arm time to heal before the next injection.

As others mention, IM or SQ BTH are very dangerous to put in your tissues (abscesses and infection). Make sure you use sterile equipment and fresh needles each time with mico filtration for impurities. Don't share needles either.

oh that's interesting, well I'm not overweight at all, my muscles get sore after so I'm pretty sure it's getting there. and no I won't share needles ever!

 

[rhun]

yeah I've come to the same conclusion. Plan A is sticking to my MMT, Plan B is smoking it, Plan B is IV. But I'm not going to IM anymore. Honestly, I'm not getting a whole lot of euphoria, just sedation / nods because of my methadone. so at first it was to keep me from being sick (I abused my take homes and was out of done) and now it's wierd, I crave the H like crazy but afterwards I'm like why did I do this I can hardly even feel it. and you're right, my friend easily could have showed me IV, his reason or excuse was that I would be strung out in a week if I did it that way.

I already replied before I saw this but my response fits with this too actually since I said I was glad you had a plan, lol. Yeah, screw IM. It's just bad news and not that great anyway. A lot of people have told me they don't get any kind of euphoria from IM, people usually just do it because they can't find a vein and they don't want to get sick. At least in my experience. Yeah, I was kind of let down by H. Everyone always talks about it as this amazing high and it's so addictive. But I didn't get any euphoria and didn't even feel that high, just some nods/sedation like you mentioned. Probably because I have such a tolerance to morphine in addition to oxy. But yes, I do crave it randomly.. Though I haven't had any amazing experiences. At least with smoking you're forced to realize how filthy it is. I really wouldn't IV... Seems like you're treading on thin ice like me and you could go too far down that road to be able to come back easily.. And without even realizing it till it's too late.

Methadone is extremely effective in making it so other opiates don't do shit. That's kind of the point in most cases. Lol so it's better to give you can abscess? I think his caring is a little misguided.. If he did really care he wouldn't have shown you at all. But if he is going to, better to show you correctly.

 

[dwg52378]

Apply warm compresses to the area for 30 minutes at a time, 4x a day. If it gets worse (bigger and warm to the touch) then seek medical treatment. Trying to treat it on your own (aside from simple warm compresses) if it doesn't get better will only make it worse.

Thank you sir! It's hard because my girlfriend would freak out so I can't treat it in front of her but I'll do the compresses as much as I can. I just did the shot like an hour ago so I'll start the compresses tonight.

 

[Tommyboy]

Thank you sir! It's hard because my girlfriend would freak out so I can't treat it in front of her but I'll do the compresses as much as I can. I just did the shot like an hour ago so I'll start the compresses tonight.

You can also take a long warm shower to account for one of the warm compresses of the day without raising suspicion with the ladyfriend.

 

[dwg52378]

I haven't had any amazing experiences with H either. ANd yeah this guy isn't a good friend or anything, just somebody I know from the clinic. when you said you are forced to realize how filthy it is when smoking I assume that's because it tastes like shit?? I really did the H out of desperation so I could go to work and not be sick but I need to just cut it out now! I have too many responsibilities to go down this road but I'm getting off topic and more "dark sided" so I digress.

 

[dwg52378]

You can also take a long warm shower to account for one of the warm compresses of the day without raising suspicion with the ladyfriend.

oh cool, Thanks for that! It's not like a "small risk" we live together and have a 13 month old girl so it would be really bad if she found out. The warm shower thing could work and I could escape for a bit to do the other ones at some point in the day I'm sure.