Heroin use causes several physical symptoms, and track marks are one of the most visible signs that someone has an intravenous drug problem. Spotting needle track marks can be alarming, but knowing what they mean and why they happen can help you seek the right support. In this guide, we explain how to recognize track marks and get the help you need for yourself or a loved one to recover.
What Track Marks Are and Why They Happen
Track marks occur when people inject heroin (or another illicit substance) into their veins. Intravenous injections can damage the veins, leading to heroin scars or ulcers. Needle track marks often look like tiny puncture wounds, and the surrounding skin may appear darker than usual. As they heal, track marks may lighten and become less noticeable.
Common Locations and Physical Signs
Many people who abuse heroin inject the substance into their arms, so track marks are most commonly seen in this area. Scarring often develops when someone injects frequently into a vein, causing circulation issues and making injecting into the same site difficult or impossible. When this happens, the person may start injecting into a different part of the body, such as the neck or foot.
Track marks aren’t the only sign of intravenous heroin use. Other symptoms of heroin abuse include:
- Reduced energy levels
- Noticeable weight loss or gain
- Performance issues at work or school
- Deterioration in cleanliness or appearance
- Behavioral changes, such as increased secrecy or aggression
- Flushed skin
- Drowsiness
- Slow breathing
- Nausea or vomiting
Sometimes, a person with a heroin addiction attempts to conceal their drug use by providing alternate explanations for their needle scars. For example, they may blame their skin lesions on insect bites. They may also try to hide their track marks by wearing long sleeves, applying makeup or even tattooing over the area.
Health Risks Associated With Intravenous Use
Heroin can cause various health problems regardless of how it’s taken. Over time, using heroin can lead to a general decline in physical well-being, increasing the individual’s risk of infections. Lung problems, such as pneumonia, are particularly common because heroin causes slow breathing, making it more difficult for the body to resist disease. The drug may also affect the digestive system, increasing the odds of constipation and other gastrointestinal problems.
Many people who use heroin develop mental health problems, and the drug can exacerbate preexisting mental health issues. Some people use heroin to manage the symptoms of depression and other mental health disorders, leading to a vicious cycle of increased symptoms and increased usage.
Anyone who uses heroin is at risk of overdose. A heroin overdose happens when a person takes too much heroin, and this is a medical emergency. Without prompt treatment, the drug can cause the breathing and heart rate to slow or stop, potentially leading to coma and death. Injecting heroin or mixing two or more illicit substances increases the risk of an overdose. Heroin overdoses caused the deaths of 5,871 Americans in 2022, so seek immediate medical attention if you suspect an overdose in yourself or someone you know.
Certain health complications are more likely if heroin is injected. Piercing the skin with needles can allow dangerous bacteria and viruses to enter the bloodstream, especially when sharing needles with others. These germs can travel to organs through the circulatory system, leading to potentially serious infections. Transmissible diseases associated with intravenous drug use include HIV and hepatitis B and C. Street heroin often contains harmful additives, which can block blood vessels leading to vital organs and cause tissue death.
Besides track marks, intravenous heroin use can lead to other skin problems around the injection site. Some people develop abscesses, sores and soft tissue infections on their arms and other parts of the body. Eventually, injecting repeatedly can cause veins to collapse, preventing normal blood flow in the affected area.
Differences Between Track Marks and Other Skin Issues
Telling the difference between track marks and other skin issues can be challenging without medical expertise, as injection marks can resemble other skin complaints. Generally, skin problems unrelated to intravenous drug use can develop on any part of the body and may spread gradually. Conversely, needle track marks only occur around veins, most commonly on the forearms, hands, feet, neck and groin, and they don’t spread spontaneously.
Addressing Stigma and Encouraging Help-Seeking
Whether you’re worried about your own drug use or think you’ve spotted track marks on someone you care about, stigma can prevent people who abuse heroin from getting the support they need and deserve. Stigma occurs when a person receives negative judgment because they use (or are perceived to use) illicit drugs. A person may experience stigma due to their appearance, behavior or disclosure to someone that they struggle with addiction.
Unfortunately, people with substance abuse disorders and their loved ones often avoid seeking help because they fear negative consequences. Over time, feeling stigmatized can damage a person’s self-esteem, increasing their risk of mental health problems and reducing well-being.
However, substance abuse is a brain disease, and people living with addiction deserve the same compassion and care as those with any other health problem. You can increase your chances of recovery or seek help for someone you care about by speaking to a licensed drug counselor or a health care provider who specializes in addiction medicine. These professionals are trained to provide evidence-based treatments to help you manage the physical and psychological effects of substance addiction and provide nonjudgmental support.
Friends and family members can help reduce stigma by avoiding using loaded terms to describe people with substance abuse disorders and challenging negative stereotypes and language when they hear them. Supporting somebody with a substance addiction can be challenging, and it’s important to prioritize your own well-being. A counselor, a therapist or another health care professional can help you cope with the difficult feelings that may arise when someone you care about uses drugs and advise you on the most effective ways to support your loved one and tackle stigma.
Start Your Journey Toward a Healthier Future
If you’re concerned about signs of heroin addiction in yourself or someone you love, the compassionate experts at FHE Health are ready to help you take the first step toward recovery. Contact us today to discuss your needs and treatment options with a member of our team.
