Black Tar Heroin: What Exactly is it?

Black tar heroin isn’t nearly as prevalent as the powder version of this drug – but it can be just as powerful, and even more dangerous. 

What is Black Tar Heroin?

Heroin is a powerful drug that is derived from morphine. Since morphine is a naturally occurring part of the opium poppy plant, heroin is classified as a semi-synthetic opioid. 

Heroin typically appears in one of two forms: as brownish or white powder, or as a dense and sticky black substance. The dense, sticky version is commonly referred to as black tar heroin. It is also sometimes called black dragon or simply black tar.

The consistency of black tar heroin means that it could be smoked, though this method of ingestion is relatively rare. Most people who use this drug dissolve it in a solution and inject it. 

Other techniques include burning the tar and inhaling the fumes through a straw, grinding it into a powder and snorting it, dissolving it in a liquid and spraying it into the mouth, or lubricating a small amount and administering it as a suppository. 

How is Black Tar Heroin Made?

The difference between black tar and powder heroin isn’t limited to their appearance. The substances are also manufactured in a different manner.

It is simpler and less expensive to create black tar heroin than it is to create the powder version. However, this less rigorous process means that this type of heroin is much more likely to contain impurities. 

Without getting too deep into the details of the manufacturing process, here’s why black tar heroin can be cheaper to make, but possibly more dangerous to use:

• The process of making heroin begins by extracting morphine from opium poppies. 
• This substance is then put through a chemical process known as acetylation. 
• After acetylation, powder heroin goes through a number of additional steps to remove impurities. 
• “font-weight: 400;”>For black tar heroin, acetylation is where the process ends. This is why it looks different than powder heroin. It is also why it’s is much more likely to contain impurities.

Most of the black tar heroin in the United States is manufactured in Mexico. This version is heavier than powdered heroin, which means that it is not cost-effective to smuggle it into the U.S. via plane (as powdered heroin from Southeast Asia often is). The drug is usually shipped over land routes, which may be one reason why it is more prevalent in the western U.S. than on the East Coast.

What Does Black Tar Heroin Smell Like?

The smell of this type of heroin heroin can vary depending on how it was produced.

Some people have described it as having little to no odor at all, while others have reported that black tar heroin smells like vinegar, plastic, ammonia, or even tar. 

These odors typically become stronger when the drug is heated.

Dangers of Using Black Tar Heroin

No matter what type of heroin a person uses or how they ingest the drug, there is no such thing as safe heroin use. Focusing specifically on black tar heroin, potential dangers include:

• Bacterial infections
• Scarring of veins
• Endocarditis (inflammation within the heart)
• Osteomyelitis (inflammation within bones)
• Necrotizing fasciitis (a.k.a. the “flesh-eating disease”)
• Tetanus
• Botulism
• Addiction
• Overdose
• Death

In addition to the dangers posed by the drug itself or by impurities that were not removed during the manufacturing process, the way a person abuses this type of heroin can also cause certain types of harm. For example, sharing needles can increase a person’s risk of exposure to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other bloodborne diseases. 

Also, heroin’s effects on cognition, judgement, and coordination can lead to considerable physical and/or psychological harm. 

Finally, the risks of addiction, overdose, and death from heroin cannot be overemphasized. Some people mistakenly believe that black tar heroin is less potent (and thus less addictive and less dangerous) than the powder version. This is simply not true. 

A person can develop opioid use disorder (which is the clinical term for heroin addiction) after only using black tar heroin a few times. And regardless of whether someone has used heroin once or countless times, every time they ingest the drug they risk overdose, and possibly death.

The signs of heroin overdose include:

• Vomiting
• Extreme confusion or disorientation
• Faint pulse
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Loss of consciousness
• Gurgling or choking sounds
• Inability to be awakened
• Cool, clammy skin
• Blue or purple coloration near lips and fingertips

If you are with someone who exhibits these signs after using black tar heroin, you should call 911 or otherwise summon an emergency first responder in your area.

After calling for help, if you have Narcan, you should administer it. Narcan is a brand-name nasal spray that contains naltrexone, which can reverse an opioid overdose if it is administered in a timely manner.

Treat Black Tar Heroin Addiction at Phoenix Rising Recovery

If you have become dependent on black tar heroin, another opioid, or any other addictive substance, Phoenix Rising Recovery is here to help.

Your options at our addiction treatment center in Palm Desert, California, include residential rehab, partial hospitalization, an intensive outpatient program, and outpatient care. We also offer medication-assisted treatment (MAT), gender-specific services for both men and women, and specialized programming for veterans, first responders, and young adults.

When you choose Phoenix Rising, our team of experts will work closely with you to identify the full scope of your needs and determine which programs and services are best for you. Then, we’ll develop a customized plan to help you end your heroin use and start building a foundation for successful, long-term recovery.

To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.