In 2022, over 3,000 people died of an opioid overdose in Tennessee alone. This is the worst-case scenario. Even when you survive, there are still plenty of risks associated with illicit opioid use. Different methods for opioid consumption come with their own risks. Snorting opioids has unique dangers.
At ReVIDA® Recovery, we don’t just prescribe medication to our patients. We empower them to change their lives. At ReVIDA®, our clients receive group and individual therapy. We also provide resources to help connect them with SNAP, housing, job opportunities, and more.
Today we’ll learn more about the risks of snorting opioids.
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Snorting Opioids: What Are the Signs?
When you think about someone taking opioids, you might think they take a pill. Did you know that opioids can also be snorted? Prescription opioids, like Vicodin or Percocet, can be crushed. Opioids sold on the street, like heroin and fentanyl, sometimes come in powder form. If you’re worried that your loved one is taking opioids this way, there are a few symptoms you should be looking out for.
Physical signs that someone is snorting opioids include:
- Constant sniffling for no obvious reason
- Recurring respiratory infection
- Regular nosebleeds
- Discolored nasal discharge
Behavioral Signs:
- Sudden changes in mood
- Loss of interest in activities they used to care about
- Hanging out with different people
- Avoiding friends or family to spend time alone
What to Look For
If you are concerned that someone you know is snorting opioids, you may also want to keep an eye out for paraphernalia (tools) they use. Straws, paper tubes, or even tightly rolled dollar bills are used to snort opioids. Small razors, credit cards, and playing cards are commonly used to put the powder in small lines to be snorted. Small mirrors are often used to snort opioids off of.
When it comes to paraphernalia like this, context is important. None of these objects on their own are cause for concern. If you see a collection of these objects together with symptoms of snorting, they are a likely sign that your loved one is snorting opioids.
Why Do People Snort Opioids?
Most people who take opioids recreationally seek the feeling of well-being and elation that comes with the high. When you take opioids, they bind to opioid receptors in the brain and are converted to morphine. This then floods the brain with endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals. This process creates a very short-lived blissful feeling. It also slows down the body, leading to feelings of relaxation and sleepiness.
People choose to snort opioids because the effects are felt very quickly. When a pill is crushed, it makes its way to the brain much more quickly than when it is taken orally. This is because, when it is snorted, opioids are absorbed into the bloodstream through the mucus membrane. When the pill is taken orally, it has to be digested, which is a much longer process. Snorting also bypasses any extended-release formula the pill has, allowing the full force of the opioid to be felt immediately.
Often, people also snort opioids to avoid the stigma and potential negative health effects associated with injecting opioids. However, many of the same risks still exist for snorting opioids.
Injecting Opioids vs. Snorting Opioids
Injecting and snorting opioids are both dangerous. Injecting opioids is considered especially dangerous because sharing needles results in the spread of bloodborne conditions like HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. What most people don’t know is that snorting opioids results in the spread of the same pathogens when you share straws. Snorting opioids is very hard on the inside of the nose and often results in damage to the nasal passage, causing bleeding.
Injecting opioids is hard on the veins. It results in scarring at injection sites, skin abscesses, injection-related blood clots, vein collapse, and even infections in the heart’s lining, skin, and bones. In some cases, needles have even been known to break off and become lodged under the skin.
When someone snorts opioids, most of the immediate damage is done to the nose. It results in the above-mentioned sniffling, nosebleeds, and discolored nasal discharge. It also can result in ongoing respiratory problems and other health problems. As with any bad habit, the symptoms get worse over time.
Some people believe that snorting opioids is a safer alternative to injecting them. Unfortunately, snorting is not safer than injecting opioids. The health risks are just different.
What Are the Dangers of Snorting Opioids in the Short Term?
The symptoms discussed above are not the only dangers associated with snorting opioids. Snorting opioids quickly causes inflammation of the nasal passages, leading to problems like sleep apnea and headaches.
Immediately after opioid consumption, a person’s breathing will start to slow. This is always a concern with depressants. Snorting opioids can harm the airway and make breathing harder.
Gastrointestinal distress, including nausea, vomiting, and constipation, is common after taking opioids. Additionally, someone who’s just taken opioids will experience sluggishness, which increases their likelihood of hurting themselves in a fall.
The Risk of Overdose When Snorting Opioids
Overdose is always a concern when it comes to recreational opioid use. An overdose can happen the very first time someone takes opioids.
Signs of an opioid overdose include:
- Slow pulse
- Seziers
- Uncontrollable vomiting
- Blue tint to the lips and fingertips
- Low blood pressure
- Respiratory failure
- Pinpoint pupils
If your loved one is experiencing an opioid overdose, it’s vital that they receive medical care immediately. Naloxone is an over-the-counter medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose when administered appropriately.
What Are the Long-Term Consequences of Snorting Opioids?
The longer someone snorts opioids, the more severe the health problems associated with it will become. Snorting opioids causes damage to the nasal septum, which results in tissue death. When tissue dies, the integrity of the nose is compromised. The septum and nasal cavity could collapse, which would require surgery to correct.
The damage done to the nose by repeatedly snorting opioids will eventually lead to a loss of smell and can affect the ability to taste, as well. Snorting opioids leads to sores in the mouth, which can easily become infected, leading to further health issues. It also affects the throat, causing inflammation and, eventually, making it difficult to swallow.
The Risks of OUD and Withdrawal When Snorting Opioids
Repeatedly snorting opioids increases the risk of developing opioid use disorder (OUD). OUD happens when a person has a physical and psychological dependence on opioids. They spend all of their time thinking about opioids, how they can get more, and where they’ll get them next.
If someone you care about has OUD, they might face financial hardships from spending too much money on opioids. They may also stop taking care of responsibilities at work and home or even steal money to spend on opioids.
Someone who has OUD will experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking opioids. While withdrawal is not usually life-threatening, it is extremely uncomfortable and often leads to a return to use. Symptoms typically begin between 6 and 8 hours after the last dose.
Typical symptoms of opioid withdrawal include:
- Sweating
- Runny nose
- Mood swings
- Muscle aches
- Insomnia
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping
Opioid withdrawal also includes psychological symptoms like increased anxiety and depression or feelings of hopelessness. Anyone experiencing thoughts of hurting themselves or others should get medical attention immediately.
Getting Help for Opioid Addiction in Appalachia
Snorting opioids can quickly lead to OUD. If you know someone who has developed OUD and doesn’t know how to recover, it’s time to suggest Suboxone treatment. Medication-assisted treatment reduces the risk of relapse by minimizing the worst of withdrawal symptoms and reducing cravings for opioids.
A good recovery program won’t rely on medication alone. Therapy is also an important tool for treating OUD. Individual therapy gives patients the opportunity to work through core issues with a trusted, licensed therapist. Group therapy allows patients to connect with others who are going through similar life experiences.
If someone you love is living with an opioid use disorder, there is hope to heal and move forward. ReVIDA® Recovery has a compassionate team of MAT doctors, therapists, and care coordinators to help with all areas of life. We believe in the life-changing effects of Suboxone and Sublocade because we have seen them work time and time again for our clients. Call us today at 423-631-0432 to learn more about our program offerings.
ReVIDA® Recovery: Reclaim Your Life
