Harm reduction straight from an LPN
Alright, so I met a girl tonight who is just a grand person. She came to me to score, we hung out a while and she’s a grand gal. But she scares the shit out of me bc she IM’s her dope shots. I am begging anybody who does this to PLEASE STOP IMMEDIATELY. Please.
Listen you guys, I don’t think you realize how dangerous this is.
My girlfriend is an LPN, or Licensed Practical Nurse, she may not be a doctor but she went thru 2 extensive years of schooling about the human body. She knows her shit. And she is deeply concerned about our newfound friend, as am I, and I’m telling you that a well versed LPN is saying STOP for your own safety.
IMing heroin is far worse than IV any day of the week.
She wants me to emphasise that losing your limb(s) to shooting drugs into your muscles is very real and happens a lot quicker than you would think.
All it takes is one infection and then you lose either function of that muscle or you have to have that muscle removed completely which makes that limb partially or fully disabled.
Guys, if you’re going to shoot up drugs, PLEASE stick it in your veins.
Don’t take my word for it, take it from a medical professional who uses herself and sincerely cares about anybody out there IMing their drugs.
Yes, IVing drugs is risky and needs to be practiced with great caution,
But IMing your drugs is a VERY VERY DANGEROUS GAME.
My heart goes out to you if you feel you’ve needed to resort to this and my partner and I are on our knees begging you to stop.
Here are some tips for conserving your veins;
- New needles as much as possible
- Using the correct length of needle, this tip goes over looked so so much. Different parts of your body have different skin, IE; If you’re hitting your neck where the vein is flush against your skin or if you’re hitting your hands use a short tip. We always keep a bag of each. This goes for the difference of body types as well, I saw a bigger girl using a short tip on her arms and she kept missing over and over, well hon you’ve got a lot of meat on your bones so you gotsta use a long tip, skinny bitches can use short tips on their arms bc they had veins that are flush against the skin. Men sometimes have huge veins that pop right up, they should use sjort tips. I use short tips on my neck and long tips on my arms. This is so important for vein preservation!!
- ICE after a heavy night of use & especially if you’ve missed, NEVER HEAT! I ice every time I use to help heal and prevent losing sites.
- Rotate your sites, this ought to be a given but I’ve seen so many people bang the same spot over and over again. If you cant find another vein, consider that you may be dehydrated. Drink lots of water, especially if you know you are going to use, this will help you a fuck ton. Another trick is to run wherever you intend to hit under hot water for a few mins or doing some jumping jacks, or both! Get them babies pumped up!
- At rite aid they have this stuff called “bruise remedy”, I don’t remember the brand but it comes in a white and blue bottle and this stuff is uh-maaaazing. I’m talking track marks GONE in two days and considerably lessened in one. A god-send for frequent users and/or those who bruise easily. Also, silicone scar guard helps keep your veins soft. Lotion helps a lil too.
- Don’t dig and don’t jam. You’re in no rush, even if you are sick the second you start rushing I guarantee you have a harder time hitting. Take a deep breath, tie off, find your site, slowly puncture the vein. If you don’t hit, its okay if you like move it a little but don’t start digging, this is awful. Just take it out and re-hit with diligence and care.
The smallest changes you make can actually make a HUGE difference for you. I’ve never had an infection, never an abscess, I rarely miss, and that’s bc IVing drugs is to be respected.
You get pissed when you can’t hit, right? So why not avoid that by taking care of those veins you love so much.
&&&& PLEASE DONT IM YOUR DRUGS!!!!!!
With sincerity and concern,
An LPN who uses & her junkie lover who wants you to have veins like ours.
