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IV'ing stigma

footscrazy

footscrazy

Bluelight Crew
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So what's everyone's thoughts on Iv'ing?

It seems to be one aspect of drug use with a lot of strongly held views, one way or another.

I guess the media stereotype of an IV user is a dirty junkie no hoper riddled with diseases and track marks. I get the feeling though that a lot of drug users or otherwise open minded people draw the line at IV'ing, but more than that, see them as different, and I guess implicity worse in one way or another.

On the other side, it seems the rectal vs. IV argument is a hot topic on Bluelight, with some IV users considering rectal the 'worse' administration, and really defending IV'ing and talking it up. Why do you think this is an issue that drives such strong opinions? It seems a lot of arguments against plugging have some weird sexual aspect to them, as if putting anything near your arsehole gives you the gay, which seems incredibly childish to me.

For me, I do think you cross a line when you IV. I don't think it's intrinsically bad, but it is a different step that could be bad for certain people. The reason I don't IV is because I'm a hopeless enough addict as it is and I don't want to make things harder for myself. But anyway, what does everyone else think about the IV'ing stigma, do you think it's fair? Do you reckon IV'ers are more likely to be 'junkies' (or any negative stereotypical druggie)? Why do you think people care so much about it, one way or another?
 
^^^ got to be careful and safe as fuck which is often not a option in full blown addiction. I try never to iv anymore but done so twice this year usually when drunk and being in the city and get a sudden extreme urge.

Also lost the respect if some great mates from school who could understand why I was going down that path.
 
I don't have anything against IV'ing, I have been friends with a number of IV drug users and have at times been curious to take the plunge myself, so to speak. I think that you just have to be really careful with IV use, you can transfer blood borne virii very easily if your not careful, it increases the odds of addiction and overdose and you can quite easily make a mess of yourself.

Fairly recently curiosity got the better of me and I decided I would like to IV opiates, I acquired the neccessary sharps and after a few (thankfully) unsuccessful test runs I really realised its not a path that is in any way sensible for me to continue down right now. Its funny most times I get a good buzz off opiates I will spend some time thinking about how nice they would be to IV, but I always think better of it when I sober up.

I agree the anal versus IV argument is stupid and it really boils down to each their own. I am sure that IV beats the shit out of rectal administration of most substances but rectal use avoids nearly all of the drawbacks of IV use. I don't see many reasons an IV drug user would really want to plug something other than maybe to give their veins a break, but I equally don't see why you should mock somebody for plugging or try tell them how a more risky ROA (IV) would give them a better feeling, that really isn't productive. The funny thing is though, most people I hang with these days take a VERY dim view of injecting drugs but almost all of the male ones would attatch double the stigma to plugging.

I do think IV users are more likely to be 'junkies' to an extent but you can apply the chicken or the egg question to the scenario a little. Theres definately drug addicts who engage in scummy behaviour and would be worthy of the term 'junkie' that were as bad or worse before they started shooting up, but I can't help but feel there must be a lot of people who's use is teetering right on the edge that the needle gives them the final push over.
 
IVing just sounds so grotty and dangerous.
I would stereotype an IV'er someone who doesn't really care about their body.

And I'm sure in a few years time after I've IV'd a few things, I'll probably have a different view.
This is from my semi-virgin drug brain.
 
I am defiantly someone who draws the line at IV'ing its just something that i have 0 urge to get into.
1. Because of the obvious risks involved
2. The stigma attached to it (people looking down on you)
3. Not really a big opiate fan
4. Dont want my arms to look rank
5. I think it would lead me down a really bad addiction path
AND
6. Im happy to stick drugs up my arse haha no homo

But hey each to their own
 
i used to inject fairly regularly, but i've never really considered any of my addictions to have gotten to the point of losing respect for my body.
i started doing it when i used meth; i hate snorting things into my sinus (that feels very dirty and invasive to me) and i found that smoking created a very fiendish repetition that was hard to break.
having a shot meant i could dose up and enjoy my evening without needing to think about it for many hours.
if i smoked meth and went out, i always just wanted to go home and smoke again.

i think there is a fair justification for the stigma. it is after all a lot more risky and complicated than other ROAs.
i have a friend who got a bad infection from shooting a pill and nearly lost his arm. without being too presumptuous about likelihoods of addiction and whatnot, i would say that IV use certainly increases your risk of overdose, especially if you are using opiates.
i think the scariest part of intravenous drug use for me is the idea that you could be addicted to it, and that no other route of administration could make you feel ok. the way people damage or collapse their veins from overuse is quite a scary prospect, especially when they start shooting up into really risky places such as neck veins, hips (near arteries) or penis.
in this sense, the stigma has a certain logic to it.
in a harm minimisation sense, sometimes it is good if people are scared away from dangerous things...although it means that people are more likely to shun those that engage in those risky practices.
i'm lucky in that i really enjoyed intravenous drug use - i thought that shooting meth was like taking a totally different drug to when i had it the other ways - i was able to walk away from it without too much grief. i haven't done it regularly for 5+ years, and the last time i had a shot was a year ago.

plugging on the other hand...well, i think a lot of the stigma attached to that is either homophobia or people's general discomfort/disgust at putting something in a place usually used to pass things out of the body. it's also not a social ROA - unlike smoking or snorting or even shooting up, you don't usually do it in company, unless maybe it's a very intimate relationship :)

i've always assumed it could be potentially harmful - can anyone confirm or deny this? i plugged meth once many years ago and it was pretty enjoyable (long lasting etc) but i never wanted to do it as i was worried about doing some kind of damage to the sensitive tissue down there. is this a legitimate concern, do you think?
 
Yeah it's an interesting discussion. I don't like needles at all and would never IV illegal drugs. Then again i've never had the urge to put them up my bum either in all those 20 odd years of taking them.

But i have been around others who do, and i've declined a few times over the years, same with using a glass pipe tho as well. I have had friends who have dabbled in iv'ing heroin and speed (back before it was all mostly crystal) and some of them are fine now whilst one or two of them are dead.

edit > After living with a type 1 diabetic (insulin injector) for a while you see that injecting is a pretty quick method of delivery (and in their case - the only way), and also some people with bad epilepsy need to have drugs put up their bums if they go into a mega fit.

I can see how or why some people would like to try those 2 ways of doing it, injecting is supposed to be alot quicker onset and more of a rush yeah? rectal is faster and maybe more of a rush than orally too?

Still i have zero interest in doing either of them. My nose got fucked from lines back in the days, i can see that iv would ruin some parts of your body if done too much, does doin it via ur ass cause any damage to that area? (if done alot i guess)
 
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^ I used to have an interest in wanting to IV, but have given up on it. I can just see it leading to many problems that I've mostly gotten rid of in my life.

As for rectal use... I don't believe it causes damage, depending on what exactly is being put up there. Ethanol for example will damage the delicate membranes, and drugs that are acidic/basic to the extent that they may cause membrane damage should be avoided as well.
 
i was under the impression that if you plugged too many (old school) pills or something, it could be harmful. just some kinda word-of-mouth thing i heard back in the day (always totally unreliable as a source of information) because i've heard of people that used to take e exclusively that way and swore by it.

interesting what you say about insufflation damaging your nose, poledriver - i've always been wary of that one. hated the 'burn' of a nasty snort..
seems that even the "safer" routes of administration have their risks and drawbacks.

i'd still happily IV something if it seemed like a reasonably safe option. 'reasonably' being the operative word....i'm thankful that it doesn't have a hold on me like it does for many folks.
i understand the rush of a shot has more to do that the (considerable) speed of onset for many kids. quite an adrenaline kick in itself.
 
I hate needles :) and I realize that IV'ing would lead to further problems for me...so I've stayed away.

I don't have anything against IV'ing so long as people are careful with keeping everything sterile. One thing I find strange is some IV users believing that it's the cleanest and safest way of taking a drug...well maybe they're correct technically, but you'd need pharm grade drugs in a solution that's made for injection.
 
A drug addict is a drug addict, i dont shoot up/IV but i dont consider one who does so "worse" then me, i dont consider myself better then any other poor person has gotten addicted to a drug/drugs. I personally couldnt IV because i dont like needles, not to the point where i would refuse a doctors blood test or booster shot due to the fear, but i just dont think i could sit there and stick something like that in my own vein!

While ppl who IV are at risk of things like HIV and Hep C, i think the Stigma is a little unfair. When my family hears of someone who shoots up, they straight away picture "some dero looking person sitting in an ally who is homeless and riddled with disease"...that is only SOME IV users, not ALL...so it is unfair to rule them all as so!

We are all equal as human beings, all life (IV or othrwise) should be respected. An IV user is just someone who made some mistakes in their life, it doesnt make them a bad person!

Edit: As for "plugging" it definitely does not "Make" someone gay, i am as straight as an arrow, but have plugged before (though only twice).
 
I don't see IV as a dirty RoA, I just know that I would become a full time addict because I am hopelessly weak at self control. I am also shitscared of needles, but I know I would get over that fear once I take a godly hit. One day when I am diagnosed with some terminal disease, or realise I am old and lonely I am gonna score some heroin and slam that shit like there is no tomorrow.
 
2 huge stereotypes, IF u are a IV'er = you are a dirty dirty scummy druggie

If you plug = You are gay!!!!

I dont IV, i dont have a problem with people IV, i have mates that IV, i dont even mind if they do it infront of me.
I mean it does intrigue me, but i dont think i'll wana get into IV'ing yet etc. As Footys put it "The reason I don't IV is because I'm a hopeless enough addict as it is and I don't want to make things harder for myself." I am exactly the same ha!

I do plug thou. as u can see underneath my avator. Mostly I plug oxys, I have plugged meth a few times, I mean the rush is decent and duration is good for meth, but I still prefer the good ol' wifey ;D

And there is nothing gay about plugging. I donno why or where the whole homophobic stigma came from for plugging.

CUZ ITS GREATTTTTTT!

everyone should try plugging once or twice or more

Go Team Plug

(members of Team Plug includes me, footsy, jake, psillo, and many more)
 
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another thing about IV for me was i met a lot of heavy bad characters that used and ripped me off bashed me etc.. cause i thought if they saw that i was a regular IV user they would accept me --- WRONG--- they just waited befriended me until the opportunity to ripp me when I hade some $$.

I was IVing every day for 4 years heroin/ice/ even bupe (not a good idea). now that I have been clean I have realised having a very good source and using other methods are nearly as good.

Still have dreams every now and then I'm about to slam a mad shot of ice/herion (nothing compares to that i am so fucked can't breathe for 5 min feeling) and as was said before u can have a whack and then not think about the pipe which is good for going out and with ice saves fuckin $$.

I can leave it 90 % of the time but walking home after a work function in the city past redfern/ or the cross have fucked me up 2 this year and once in 2009. I have not self control when i'm in a blackout and once i OD'ed (told the working girl i used the day beofre cause i thought she might rip me with a tiny shot). Lucky the pro i was with mouth to mouthed e called the ambo asap cause i juts rememebr waking up in st vincents. scary scary shit. promoised i wouldn't ever IV again but like i said when i'm really drunk in the city, like blackout drunk (which is not often) I have fucked up twice. Pray everyday my higher power gives me the strenght to just not use needs and never with people i don't know.

IF I never touched them years ago I would not have this problem when drunk now.

Also waiting 2 months for a blood test is torture i wouldn't wish on anyone as when i have had the shot I was so drunk I fuckin couldn't remember watching the person mix up.... having to tell the missus we can't fuck without condom for 2 months does not go down well - especaially when she is straight as fuck and does not use anything.

my advice is just have more money and buy better quality drugs. Or be very very very safe as your life could beocme a whole lot more complicated in ten seconds.

Jus pivked up a point now and know I could make it last double with a fit but the potential probs outweigh how happy I am from kicking daily maintenaince.
 
For me IVing is that arbitrary line you cross where drug use goes from something fun to more of a seedy lifestyle. I have always felt if you needed to ramp up your use of a particular drug where it needs to be plugged or IV'd then you are better off using a different drug. I don't see either route as necessarily dirty as they both are accepted medical practices that I'm positive I would want to maintain hygienic standards, but rather I have yet to see a IV user able to drop back to a regular oral method without losing their magic. My IVing friends no longer use drugs recreationally, instead it becomes more of a need and they some how have found a way to suck the enjoyment out of recreational drug use.
 
^^^^ very true Busty, you can get the magic back but you need abstinence for months or basically rehab. Then get a source for quality and a supply of ok cash. Not saying it's not fuckin hard but you can get the positive side of drugs back. I recommend taking acid with good healthy positive people a good remedy.:)

Can't lie though still wake up once or twice a year dreaming the 'feel for the steel'
 
Busty St Clare said:
For me IVing is that arbitrary line you cross where drug use goes from something fun to more of a seedy lifestyle. I have always felt if you needed to ramp up your use of a particular drug where it needs to be plugged or IV'd then you are better off using a different drug. I don't see either route as necessarily dirty as they both are accepted medical practices that I'm positive I would want to maintain hygienic standards, but rather I have yet to see a IV user able to drop back to a regular oral method without losing their magic. My IVing friends no longer use drugs recreationally, instead it becomes more of a need and they some how have found a way to suck the enjoyment out of recreational drug use.
Click to expand...

This is the best one yet, good work.
This explains everything, though it's medically accepted, I still find it very.. scary/grotty/wrong.
This is just my own opinion, I'm still young and I hate blood tests >.>

Whenever I look at my veins which are all popping out of my arms, my mind always jumps to imagine what it would look like with track marks, and a collapsed vein or something.
It's not pleasant.
 
IV drug use is perfectly safe if you are using sterile equipment, know how to register a vein and locate a vein. I have IV'd heroin 3 times, once by myself solo in my house as well.. At first I was worried i maybe missed but I pulled blood into the syringe meaning I was on.. took a breath and boom. Few mins later I was FUCKED !! :-)

Its not something I want to do all the time... and I have always been GIVEN fit packs, I have never actually purchased one haha.. lovely IV users! ;-) haha

My mate was friends with a H junkie and he came around one time with some china white and shot me up with my first dose ever IV'd.. Its amazing, but its SUCH a hectic high I don't wanna do it all the time haha.. I guess SOME people though want to do it all the time as my mate still chases H on the reg now.. not that he gets it all the time. Alot of homebake though.. that shit is actually pretty cool and fun to watch being cooked up haha.. I love science ;-)

In fact my IV heroin use was a POSITIVE THING.. as it turned me off ever wanting to do weaker opies. I would like to do heron every sixth months. I prefer smoking opium every time Im in viet on business though... iz nice!
 
Regarding the stereotype of the IV user being dirty, scummy, etc... the first exposure to an IV user I had was, based on appearance and behavior, what the media and general public would call a dirty junkie. However when I saw him shoot up, he was an absolute perfectionist, paranoid about germs, everything had to be absolutely clean and sterile, never re-use a needle and always use the yellow bins. And this was a guy who had nothing else in his life in order too. It definitely changed my ideas on IV drug use at the time (I was quite young then, perhaps 14 or so).
 
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