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  • BDD Moderators: Keif’ Richards

Basic questions on preparing a shot of heroin.

rofl_227

Greenlighter
Joined
Aug 12, 2011
Messages
45
I am still very new to the scene of injecting heroin. However, I have been snorting it for a bout 3 years now. I am slightly unclear on preparing my shots properly. My method is as follows.

1) Place heroin in "bowl" of steralized upsidedown pop can.

2)Add about 60 units of water per 1/8 gram of heroin. Stir.

3) Place small piece of cotton in center and draw liquid into needle through center of cotton.Check syringe. Remove air. Inject.

I find that after I am done injecting, maybe 30 minutes after, that there is still a sigficant amount of white powder residue on the suface of the can and dried into the cotton filter. I assume that this is likely just "cut" that inevitably comes inside street heroin as the residue is generally white and does not seem to be very water soluble. I've read about people using citric acid to disolve their heroin and I'm wondering if I should be using the same. My stuff comes as a mainly white powder with a brownish tinge to it. Am I wasting dope by not using citric acid? Can this residue that I'm planning to throw away actually heroin that didn't disolve in the water? Any knowledge from more perienced users would be greatly appreciated.
 
Hi rofl,

Few points - what water are you using? Sterile ampoules are obviousy best.. Here is a thread about the best water to use.

Secondly, a cotton isn't the best filter - micron filters are the gold-standard..

There's a good thread here about heroin, including info on how to prepare an IV shot safely :)

You need to use citric acid if you have heroin freebase, which is common in the UK but less so in the US. It requires acid to convert it to the salt, making it soluble. US heroin doesn't usually require this - I suspect you are right and what you are seeing is an insoluble cut. All the more reason to make sure you have a decent filter!
 
Thanks for the link effie, that post was very helpful. However, what exactly is a micron filter? And lets just say, hypothetically, that someone from...I dunno....Toronto, Canada, was looking for a micron filter. Where might that person find one?
 
Also, I'm just using plain old tap water... I guess I'll try and get some saline along with micron filters.....
 
Micron filter megathread :)

Often discussed in the context of pills, as they contain loads of filler/binders which can end up in the lungs and cause lung disease, but they are the best thing for filtering out anything nasty you don't want to be injecting :)

It might seem like a hassle having to get all these bits and bobs, but it is definitely worth it!

Another good thread to read if you are starting out IVing - IV complications megathread

Hope that helps :)
 
I just thought I'd pipe in here and say fair play to you rofl. You certainly seem to want to do things properly and it is refreshing to see.

Now for the other side of it! This is me being an old Grandad I know! I think I read a previous post of yours that you have been snorting and smoking it for a couple of years and you are starting to inject because the stuff just isn't getting you high anymore. I really do encourage you to think about trying to perhaps stop using? Your story reminds me so much of mine and heroin was seriously ruining my life. Had it not have been for my serious phobia of needles I would have started injecting too and it was around that time that my Mom walked into my house and caught me tooting.

At the time it was horrible, to be caught by someone who I loved so much and see her hurt but looking back, it was the best thing that could have happened. I stopped cold turkey and came out fine and I am now able to use occasionally without the daily habit. If you would like to speak further please feel free to send me a PM. At the same time I apriecate that this may be something that you don't want to do, in which case that's fine, no offence taken at all and you're certainly in the right place here on BL for help in reducing harm.

G
 
^ please listen to Glitched, rofl. I agree that it is refreshing and fantastic that you are seeking our advice, and I am very happy to continue to help keep you safe, but please think about this too.. <3
 
Glad to see the HR love all over this thread.

The needle has nearly killed me 3 times this year.

Please be careful.
 
We're all about the HR love in here, Trippy.. really glad the needle didn't succeed <3

Rofl, we're not preaching or judging or anything, I promise, and I am so glad you are here asking these questions and staying as safe as possible - that's what this site is for. It is a slippery slope you are heading down, though, so please do be careful..
 
I was VERY lucky on the quick action of fantastic friends. Administering CPR until the ambulance got there to hit me with a couple of shots of naloxone.

Don't end up there, or worse: dead.
 
I'm glad that my response hasn't caused people kicking off at me for saying that.

Like Effie said ROFL, we are not preaching in the slightest and if you do decide to keep using that's your decision and we will answer any questions that you have about keeping it safe. I just think that if you have just started injecting then it may be time to get out of the game and get out of the habit while it is still very much doable on your own.

As I mentioned I came out of a daily snorting and smoking habit and after a few clean months am able to use again occasionally. You're not stopping forever, neccasarily, you're just stopping daily. :)

Edit: Tripman, that sounds like you got really lucky. Always good to have good friends around. I'm glad they got you through.
 
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Thank you all for your help and concerns people. I;m am aware that a need to get help. I went to a detox clinic about 2 months ago and was able to stay ofthe stuff for a bout 3 days. Things were going great until one of the patients there offered me a hit. I undertand that its always MY choice to use, but he got me during a very vulnerable time. I stayed at the detox for 5 days total. I would like to go back however, I cannot afford a full on rehab program. I know that I need an inpatient program to succeed. I know of many free detox clinics but I need to find a place where I can stay for at least a month after detox. If anyone has any suggestions that would be great. I live in Toronto, Canada.
 
If anyone in the Toronto area is reading this and is in the same boat that I am I just found some info on FREE detox/ rehab programs. Call 1-866-366-9513. This is a central access number for government funded detox services in Toronto. In speaking with the receptionist I learned that as long as theres room in the detox program you can stay there free until you can get admitted into a rehab program( private or public.) God bless free health care. I'm sure if you're located elsewhere, they can still provide information with regards to services closer to you. Probably only for Canadians though. I plan to check myelf in as soon as theres a bed. Sorry BL crew, I seem to have changed the topic of this thread. But just reading all these concerned posts from the complete strangers on this thread has encouraged me to seek help to stop this devastating cycle I'm in.
 
I think that this thread has taken a turn for the better so don't think that anyone will mind.

I have just replied to your PM but will say a quick message here too. This is great news for me to hear, please keep us updated and if we can help you out at all we will, I know I will anyway.

Good luck mate and I hope all works out well for you.

G
 
I'll second the notion that the single best HR advice for people thinking about shooting heroin, is don't. Stop while you still can...

I'm glad you're seekign help rofl, it'll be much easier for you to get off this shit now, it only gets harder.
 
Shooting heroin is a FAST way to get addicted, I've done it once and I seriously felt lucky I didn't get addicted well basically beacause I didn't have anymore. Honestly that's probably the only reason I didn't.
 
So you ran out for the night, siccness? Or did you lose your contact to get more? Confused.
 
effie gave some great advice. I believe that the needle exchanges in Canadia carry micron filters... or maybe that's Australia.
Anyhoo, for more links and info, check out my signature. Best of luck and feel free to PM me if you have more personal injecting questions.
 
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