What Does a Heroin Addict Look Like?

When someone starts abusing heroin, they will often lose weight, which can be one of the first telltale signs that something isn’t right.

The Old Stereotype of the Heroin User

The heroin addict or “junkie” stereotype still exists, but many of today’s opioid addicts appear to have little in common with this cliched character. Envisioning a dirty, homeless person who lives on the street and engages in all manner of humiliating behavior to support a drug habit, people generally feel little aside from pity or contempt for the heroin addict who looks to be straight from central casting. Most people also think of someone with obvious physical and mental health problems as the typical heroin addict. Today, however, even people addicted to heroin rather than other opioids may appear completely different from what you imagine or see in movies.

How Today’s Opioid Addict Is Different

Today’s opioid addict may look like your best friend, neighbor, or even your aging parent. A recent survey of long-term opioid use conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Washington Post found that 60 percent of long-term users were between 40 and 64. Approximately one-third were on disability, and one in five were retired.

The opioid addict of today is more likely to be found in a rural area than an urban one, and the problem is particularly acute because treatment options in rural areas are few and far between. A study by the University of Michigan found that the rate of babies being born with drug withdrawal symptoms for opioids grew substantially faster in rural communities than in cities. Moreover, jails in remote counties and emergency departments at rural hospitals do not always have the resources to deal with crimes committed by addicts or with opioid overdoses.

For heroin, in particular, the greatest increase in use is being seen in young adults aged 18-25, and the number of people reporting heroin use has been on the rise since 2007.

Physical Characteristics of a Heroin Addict

Weight Loss

When someone abuses heroin, they will often lose weight. That sudden weight loss can be one of the first physical signs for friends and family members to watch out for. The weight loss often affects how their face looks, so people with a heroin addiction may look tired, gaunt or older than they are. The reason for weight loss is that heroin can make you nauseous, leading to vomiting and appetite loss.

Facial Characteristics

People abusing heroin may also have dark circles around their eyes and a pale complexion. Heroin use impacts blood pressure and heart rate, so people may also have a bit of a bluish tint to their skin.

Itching, Picking, and Sores

When you take heroin and other opioids, it can cause itchiness and people may start itching and picking at their faces, causing sores and scabs.

“Heroin Hunch” or “Heroin Lean”

Heroin also tends to make people’s coordination unbalanced and their limbs feel heavy, so it can seem at times like they’re dragging themselves as they’re walking or they’re slouching over strangely.

Heroin Track Marks

Of course, if someone is injecting heroin, they may also have marks where the needles were used, or they might wear long sleeves and pants even when the weather is hot to hide the needle marks.

Abscesses and Skin Infections

People addicted to heroin can have abscesses or infections on their skin from injecting the drug, or sores on their nose or lips and burns on their fingers from smoking it. The skin around their eyes may appear puffy, as well.

Other Signs of a Heroin Addiction

The aforementioned signs are not the only indicators of heroin use. The drug has many physical effects on people depending on the volume and regularity of heroin use.

Some other signs of heroin use include:

• A persistent cough
• Dry mouth
• Pinpoint pupils
• Nosebleeds
• Flu-like symptoms
• Runny nose
• Constipation
• Loss of menstrual cycle
• Sexual problems in men

Beyond the physical changes that heroin can cause, the drug impacts a person’s behavior too. In some cases, recognizing a change in personality and behavior may be easier for friends and family members to identify than the physical signs of heroin addiction.

Behavioral changes can include:

• Seeming disoriented or uncoordinated
• Being jittery or alert and then nodding off shortly after that
• Excessive sleep
• Declining performance in school or work
• Slurred speech
• Apathy
• Hostility
• Lack of motivation
• Avoiding eye contact
• Declining hygiene
• No concern for their appearance
• Being alone
• Withdrawing from loved ones
• Wearing sunglasses more than usual

Aside from physical appearances and behavior, the presence of heroin paraphernalia is an indicator of addiction. The following are some of the items that you may find when someone close to you is using heroin:

• Syringes
• Orange caps from syringes
• Burned spoons
• Aluminum foil or gum wrappers
• Shoelaces or missing shoelaces
• Straws
• Empty pen cases
• Small plastic bags
• Bottled water and bottle caps
• Razor blades
• Empty drug capsules
• Cotton balls or q-tips

It’s important to realize that there are not always outward signs that indicate heroin addiction, but if there are any red flags, it’s important to speak with a medical professional.

Finding Help for Heroin Addiction

If you or a loved one live with an addiction to heroin, contact The Recovery Village and speak to a representative about addiction treatment options. By using individualized treatment plans that cater to each patient’s needs, The Recovery Village addresses addiction along with any co-occurring disorders. Begin your path to a healthier future today.

Editor – Thomas Christiansen

With over a decade of content experience, Tom produces and edits research articles, news and blog posts produced for Advanced Recovery Systems. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Yuliya Sagan

Yulia is a cell and molecular biologist with expertise using embryonic stem cell models, 3D human tissue models, and animal models to investigate different human disease phenotypes including impaired wound healing, cardiovascular disease, and cancer metastasis. Read more