Generally, black tar heroin contains variable mixtures of morphine derivatives, with a predominance of 6-MAM.
The remaining chemical contents of black tar heroin can vary and may include several bulking or cutting agents as well as dangerous chemicals used during production.
Read more about black tar heroin addiction
How Much Pure Heroin Is In Black Tar Heroin?
Black tar heroin contains less pure heroin compared to powdered forms of the drug. Black tar heroin may only range between 25-30% purity.
Bulking And Cutting Agents Found In Black Tar Heroin
Black tar heroin may be frozen, cut with additional substances, or ground into powder before selling black tar on the street.
Cutting or bulking agents used to increase black tar heroin may include substances such as:
- aspirin
- laxatives
- bath salts
- sugar
- cocoa powder
- coffee
- shoe polish
Dangerous Substances Found In Black Tar Heroin
Black tar heroin may contain other prescription painkillers, such as fentanyl or oxycodone.
Depending on the manufacturing, this drug may contain other toxic substances, such as:
- ammonia
- hydrochloric acid
- acetic anhydride
- calcium oxide
- infection-causing bacteria
Black tar heroin often contains toxic additives that may cause necrotizing skin infections, subcutaneous infections, and damage to the kidneys, liver, brain, and lungs.
Getting Help For Black Tar Heroin Addiction
All opiates, including prescription opioids and black tar heroin, quickly lead to chemical addiction, adverse side effects, and overdose.
Individuals struggling with heroin addiction often require substance abuse treatment to achieve long-term sobriety.
If you or a loved one has a black tar heroin addiction, or if you have questions about rehab programs, contact an addiction specialist today to find a heroin rehab program.
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These include peer-reviewed journals, government entities and academic institutions, and leaders in addiction healthcare and advocacy. Learn more about how we safeguard our content by viewing our editorial policy.
- National Center for Biotechnology Information — Heroin
https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Heroin - OSAM — Surveillance of Drug Abuse Trends In the State of Ohio
https://www.mhrbeo.org/Downloads/Jan15OSAM_Drug_Abuse_Trends.pdf - ScienceDirect — Relative cataleptic potency of narcotic analgesics, including 3,6-dibutanoylmorphine and 6-monoacetylmorphine
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0278584684900514?via%3Dihub - U.S. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus — Heroin
https://medlineplus.gov/heroin.html
