What Are Common Slang Terms for Heroin?

Heroin abuse is a severe, complex condition. People who use heroin can quickly become addicted to the drug, putting themselves at increased risk of overdose and other life-threatening complications.

People with heroin addiction require comprehensive, compassionate treatment. It can be challenging to convince someone that they need help for an addiction, and it’s essential to have professional support and guidance as you navigate this tricky situation.

Talking about sensitive subjects like drug use can be challenging. It can be helpful to know slang terms for drugs and drug use to get a better sense of the issue. It may help you relate to people using drugs and recognize the terms they use more easily.

This article will detail some of the common street names and slang terms for heroin and heroin use. Reach out to the specialists at New You Sober Living to learn more about heroin abuse and how to find treatment and support for it.

What is Heroin?

Heroin is a powerful, illegal drug derived from morphine, which is a natural byproduct of the opium poppy plant. Heroin is highly addictive, and people who use it just once can become addicted to it.

Heroin is available in powder form and is typically brownish or white. Pure heroin powder is white and has a bitter taste. The majority of the world’s powdered heroin comes from South America and Southeast Asia. Black tar heroin, which is dark brown or black and sticky like tar, is primarily produced in Mexico.

Most heroin users dissolve and dilute heroin, then inject it into veins or muscles below the skin. Once heroin is in the bloodstream, it quickly reaches the brain and binds to opioid receptors in areas related to pain regulation and pleasure. Dopamine–a neurotransmitter involved in pleasure and reward– floods the brain, causing most users to develop strong urges to use more heroin.

The immediate effects of heroin include:

• A rush of pleasure
• Flushed, warm skin
• Dry mouth
• Heaviness in the arms and legs
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Severe itching
• Drowsiness
• Impaired judgment
• Slowed breathing

Some users may have severe respiratory depression that leads to coma, permanent brain damage, or death.

Heroin and other opioids can block pain messages throughout the body and alter brain activity. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classifies heroin as a Schedule I drug, meaning it has a very high potential for addiction and no accepted medical uses. People who abuse heroin face serious, sometimes life-threatening medical, social, and legal consequences of their substance use.

People who become addicted to heroin often require comprehensive treatment to safely stop using heroin and avoid relapse during detoxification.

Common Slang Terms for Heroin

Recognizing the culture around heroin use can help you identify heroin abuse and addiction sooner or talk about this subject more confidently.

Here are some common slang terms for heroin:

• Brown
• Beast
• Big Harry
• Birdie powder
• Black eagle
• Bulldog
• China white
• Coffee
• Dope
• Dragon
• Euphoria
• Feelgood
• Flyer
• Gear
• H
• Hero
• Horse
• Junk
• Mexican black tar
• Mud
• Rush hour
• Skag
• Smack
• Snow
• Snowball
• Sweet dreams
• Tar
• Tiger
• Top dog
• Tragic magic
• White horse

Many of the slang terms for heroin refer to the drug’s appearance, which is often a whitish powder or sticky, dark brown substance, and some refer to the drug’s dangerous effects.

Slang Terms for Using Heroin

There are many slang terms for using heroin that refer to the drug’s effects or how people use it.

Here are some of the most common slang terms for using heroin:

• Junking
• Chasing the dragon
• Chasing the boy
• Chasing the horse
• Chasing the brown
• Chasing the dragon’s tail
• Chasing the white ghost
• Chasing the tiger
• Chasing the shadow
• Chasing the dragon’s breath
• Using number 3
• Using number 4
• Using brown sugar
• Riding the white horse
• Hooked on Harry
• Hooked on diesel
• Using dope
• Being a smackie
• Having a boyfriend
• Going out with my girlfriend
• Having a lover
• Addicted to Mr. Brownstone
• Hooked on Mrs. White
• Addicted to Mr. Black
• Under the spell of Lady H
• Hooked on Lady Snow
• Addicted to Lady White
• Using Lady Black
• Riding the Lady Horse
• Hooked on Lady Junk
• Snorting hell dust
• Riding a Mexican horse
• Chasing the white rabbit
• Using tar
• Smashing

If you recognize someone in your life using slang terms for heroin or heroin use, you must take action to get them the help they need. Heroin addiction can turn deadly very quickly. Heroin users are at risk of unintentional overdose and exposure to other dangerous substances, including Fentanyl.

Don’t wait to get help. Seek heroin addiction treatment as soon as you recognize a problem.

Find Help for Heroin Addiction Now

If you or someone you love struggles with heroin abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Reach out to the team of professionals at New You Sober Living to learn more about our supportive sober living programs or to be connected to recovery resources in your community.

Heroin addiction can be deadly. Don’t wait another minute for the help and support you need. Call today to take the first step of your recovery journey.