What Is the Difference Between Heroin and Black Tar Heroin?

The epidemic of opioid addiction in the US has caused a rise in individuals suffering from addiction and mental illness.

As a result, some people turn to injection drugs for relief. Many people who depend on prescription drugs like opioids are now seeking cheaper options for their addiction. A common choice is black tar heroin because it stands out as an affordable and readily available opioid replacement.

What Is Black Tar Heroin?

Black tar heroin is a specific type of heroin that is mostly found in areas that get their drugs from South America, particularly in states near the border like Texas.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) characterizes black tar heroin as being “sticky like roofing tar or hard like coal,” noting that its distinct color is the result of an unrefined manufacturing process, which keeps various impurities in the heroin.

Despite impurities and lower cost, black tar heroin is highly addictive and poses significant health risks.

Black tar heroin is just as potent as white and brown heroin despite being cheaper and easier to find. This confusion has led to more heroin overdose deaths because some users think they need to take more for the same result.

The reduced price of black tar heroin is due to its limited refinement and processing in comparison to other forms of heroin. This permits the incorporation of diverse substances into black tar heroin without changing its appearance and physical characteristics.

Black Tar Heroin Street Names

There are many colloquial expressions used to denote heroin, especially black tar heroin, each having its own unique label. These particular street names include:

• Black dragon
• Black pearl
• Black tar
• Shebang
• Black
• Monkey water
• Mexican mud

What Does Black Tar Heroin Look Like?

As implied by its name, black tar heroin is a substance that resembles tar or glue in its black, sticky consistency, typically exhibiting a deep black or rich dark brown color.

Black tar heroin looks different and feels different because of how it’s made. It can’t be turned into powder because of how it’s processed and the substances added.

At times, it might look like small, dark, coarse, and spongy pieces of coal. But it’s usually found in tiny plastic or foil packets or even in deflated balloons.

Just like any illegal substance, there are differences between batches, but a common agreement among black tar heroin users is its persistently strong smell, similar to vinegar.

Types of Heroin

Worldwide, there are three kinds of heroin, all of which are derived from the morphine obtained from poppy plants. These forms include white or brown powder and a black sticky consistency.

White Heroin

Globally, white heroin is the most common type of heroin, usually originating from Southeast Asia.

It is distinguished by its fine, light powder form that readily dissolves in water, offering flexibility in ways of use. Those who use white heroin can choose to inject, inhale, or smoke the drug.

Brown Heroin

Brown heroin is primarily sourced from Southwest Asia, but it can be found worldwide.

This variant of powdered heroin is a rough, granular brown powder with hues varying from nearly white to a moderate brown, and it has a low solubility in water.

Despite its low solubility, individuals who use brown heroin can administer it through injection, inhalation, or snorting.

Black Tar Heroin

Black tar heroin is predominantly produced in Mexico and Colombia, making it the most common type of heroin found in the United States, especially in areas west of the Mississippi River.

This heroin variant can be found in two forms: a hard, breakable block or a sticky, gummy substance with colors ranging from dark brown to black. Its distinctive feature is its inability to dissolve in water.

The primary method of consumption for black tar heroin users is injection. The high acidity level of this heroin when smoked can cause damage to the soft tissues in the nose and mouth, while its sticky texture makes snorting nearly impossible.

Heroin Purity

The quality of black tar heroin is contingent on the purification methods used, which include the types and amounts of substances added, referred to as adulterants and diluents or cuts.

Adulterants are active substances that affect the body, such as numbing powders, methamphetamines, fentanyl, or xylazine. Despite being more cost-effective and readily available, these substances can augment or imitate the effects of heroin.

In contrast, diluents are non-active materials such as sugar, starch, baby powder, or milk powder.

To amplify the volume of their product and boost profitability, dealers and chemists incorporate diluents. This allows them to distribute a larger quantity at higher prices, thereby diluting the purity of the heroin sold on the streets.

Heroin Addiction Treatment at Northridge Addiction Treatment Center

If you or someone you love is struggling with heroin addiction, compassionate treatment is accessible.

The skilled and compassionate team at Northridge Addiction Treatment Center (NATC) recognizes that every individual has unique needs, necessitating a customized and flexible treatment approach to support long-lasting healing.

Our serene residential treatment center provides on-site medical detox and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) to mitigate withdrawal symptoms with superior care and confidentiality.

Following the initial withdrawal period, we work together with you to delve deep into the root of your addiction using effective therapy methods to address and heal the underlying issues and the harm caused to you and those close to you.

NATC is committed to your rehab and sobriety journey, equipping you with the necessary skills to prevent relapse and sustain your recovery.

Contact us today to learn more about NATC’s evidence-based treatment programs. Our treatment specialists are eager to explore your rehab options with you.