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Safer injection guide: Difference between revisions
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*''' Reusing hypodermic needles ''' - Reusing needles (including '''stainless steel hypodermic needles''' that can be autoclaved) is not advised for a number of medical reasons. If upon injection the needle does not hit a vein or muscle tissue, only retry with that same needle one more time if needed. It is always best to use fresh needles for each injection because needles are designed to penetrate the surface of the skin only once. After the first use, the needle becomes dulled and each additional time increases the dullness. Reusing the same needle can lead to greater risk of bodily injury and abscessed infections. Fresh needles can be found at [[needle exchange programs]] in certain areas. Needles that have been re-used many times will get macro trauma to the needle tip, resulting in a hook shape. If the needle gets hooked when injected it will cause tissue damage (e.g. a collapsed vein when taken intravenously) when it is pulled out. | *''' Reusing hypodermic needles ''' - Reusing needles (including '''stainless steel hypodermic needles''' that can be autoclaved) is not advised for a number of medical reasons. If upon injection the needle does not hit a vein or muscle tissue, only retry with that same needle one more time if needed. It is always best to use fresh needles for each injection because needles are designed to penetrate the surface of the skin only once. After the first use, the needle becomes dulled and each additional time increases the dullness. Reusing the same needle can lead to greater risk of bodily injury and abscessed infections. Fresh needles can be found at [[needle exchange programs]] in certain areas. Needles that have been re-used many times will get macro trauma to the needle tip, resulting in a hook shape. If the needle gets hooked when injected it will cause tissue damage (e.g. a collapsed vein when taken intravenously) when it is pulled out. | ||
*'''Increased risk of infection ''' - The simple act of penetrating the skin with anything is a way to introduce bacteria and viruses directly into the body. One should be as sterile as humanly possible when injecting, making sure to use alcohol swabs to wipe the injection area before and after injection. There is also the risk of infection if the injected substance is impure, adulterated, or unfiltered, which is extremely common. These substances do not pass any membrane for filtration, and ''any'' impurity in the substance will therefore be directly introduced into the body.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Evans, S. M.)), ((Cone, E. J.)), ((Henningfield, J. E.)) | journal=Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics | title=Arterial and venous cocaine plasma concentrations in humans: relationship to route of administration, cardiovascular effects and subjective effects. | volume=279 | issue=3 | pages=1345–1356 | date=1 December 1996 | url=https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/279/3/1345 | issn=0022-3565}}</ref> People who inject are at an increased risk of bacterial infections such as MRSA.<ref name="NHS-What-Should-I-Do">{{Citation | year=2018 | title=What should I do if I injure myself with a used needle? | url=https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/what-should-i-do-if-i-injure-myself-with-a-used-needle/}}</ref> | *'''Increased risk of infection ''' - The simple act of penetrating the skin with anything is a way to introduce bacteria and viruses directly into the body. One should be as sterile as humanly possible when injecting, making sure to use alcohol swabs to wipe the injection area before and after injection. There is also the risk of infection if the injected substance is impure, adulterated, or unfiltered, which is extremely common. These substances do not pass any membrane for filtration, and ''any'' impurity in the substance will therefore be directly introduced into the body.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Evans, S. M.)), ((Cone, E. J.)), ((Henningfield, J. E.)) | journal=Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics | title=Arterial and venous cocaine plasma concentrations in humans: relationship to route of administration, cardiovascular effects and subjective effects. | volume=279 | issue=3 | pages=1345–1356 | date=1 December 1996 | url=https://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/279/3/1345 | issn=0022-3565}}</ref> People who inject are at an increased risk of bacterial infections such as MRSA.<ref name="NHS-What-Should-I-Do">{{Citation | year=2018 | title=What should I do if I injure myself with a used needle? | url=https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/accidents-first-aid-and-treatments/what-should-i-do-if-i-injure-myself-with-a-used-needle/}}</ref> | ||
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===Substances that are dangerous to inject=== | ===Substances that are dangerous to inject=== | ||
*'''Increased risk of [[Drug overdose|overdose]]''' - This risk is especially present with [[opiates]] such as [[heroin]]. If one is injecting opiates, it is important to have [[naloxone]] available, if possible, as this can reverse the effects of an opiate [[drug overdose]] if administered quickly.<ref>Overdose Prevention For Injection Drug Users (drugpolicy.org) | http://www.drugpolicy.org/resource/overdose-prevention-injection-drug-users</ref> The risk of fatal overdoses rise sharply after a period of cessation and [[relapse]], largely because of reduced tolerance.<ref>Why Heroin Relapse Often Ends In Death - Lauren F Friedman (Business Insider) | http://www.businessinsider.com.au/philip-seymour-hoffman-overdose-2014-2</ref> To account for this lack of tolerance, it is safer to only dose a small fraction of one's usual [[dosage]] if relapsing after an extended break. It has also been found that the environment one is in can play a role fatal overdosing. In one scientific study, rats were significantly more likely to die after receiving their dose in an environment not associated with the drug in contrast to a familiar environment.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Siegel, S.)), ((Hinson, R. E.)), ((Krank, M. D.)), ((McCully, J.)) | journal=Science | title=Heroin “Overdose” Death: Contribution of Drug-Associated Environmental Cues | volume=216 | issue=4544 | pages=436–437 | date=23 April 1982 | url=https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.7200260 | issn=0036-8075 | doi=10.1126/science.7200260}}</ref> | |||
* Some drugs '''cannot''' be taken intravenously. For example, [[hydroxyzine]] injection solutions for intravenous use is not available because they pose a risk of causing hemolysis.<ref>https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00557</ref><!-- Added to: Routes of administration, Safer injection guide --> | * Some drugs '''cannot''' be taken intravenously. For example, [[hydroxyzine]] injection solutions for intravenous use is not available because they pose a risk of causing hemolysis.<ref>https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00557</ref><!-- Added to: Routes of administration, Safer injection guide --> | ||
* Other drugs are conditionally intramusculary self-injected to prevent intravenous complications that can be prevented in a hospital setting. For example, [[ketamine]] taken intravenously quicker than 1.5 minute can cause breathing depression for short time (up to a minute).<ref>Ketamine: Dreams and Realities, p276</ref> | * Other drugs are conditionally intramusculary self-injected to prevent intravenous complications that can be prevented in a hospital setting. For example, [[ketamine]] taken intravenously quicker than 1.5 minute can cause breathing depression for short time (up to a minute).<ref>Ketamine: Dreams and Realities, p276</ref> | ||