Black Tar Heroin Identification By Look And Smell

Black tar heroin is a crude, dark-colored form of illegal heroin that gets its name from its resemblance to roofing tar, a sticky, rock-like substance ranging from dark brown to nearly black depending on how it was produced and what it was cut with. Unlike more refined white powder heroin, black tar is typically no more than 30 to 40 percent pure and is produced primarily in Mexico before being trafficked across the southern border into the United States.

Like all forms of heroin, black tar produces a short-lived rush of euphoria followed by deep sedation, but carries its own distinct risks tied to its crude composition. It can be smoked by heating it on aluminum foil or dissolved and injected intravenously, with injection being the most common method and the one carrying the highest risk of infection, vein damage, and overdose.

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Identifying Black Tar Heroin

Black tar heroin is a cheap form of heroin that is less refined than heroin in its powder form. This type of heroin is produced through a process of refining morphine, a natural substance that comes from the opium poppy plant. Much of the black tar heroin in the United States is trafficked into the country from Mexico, where the bulk of it is produced.

It can be identified by its distinctive look, smell, and effects.

What Black Tar Heroin Looks Like

Black tar heroin is darker in color than powder forms of heroin, which can be either a light to medium brown or white. The consistency of black tar heroin can be hard like coal, or sticky like roofing tar. This may vary depending on how it’s produced and the addition of additives.

Black tar heroin is commonly diluted with fillers like dirt or black shoe polish, which can clog the blood vessels when injected. This may also affect its color and general appearance.

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What Black Tar Heroin Smells Like

The smell of black tar heroin can vary depending on how it’s used and its ingredients. Many of the chemicals involved in the manufacturing process tend to give it an acidic smell, similar to vinegar. Some former users of black tar heroin have described its smell as distinctive but difficult to pin down. Terms used to describe the smell range from “cat’s piss” to “kitty litter,” garbage, and burning molasses.

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Identifying Black Tar Heroin Drug Paraphernalia

Black tar heroin is generally inhaled (“chasing the dragon”) or injected. This can require certain tools or drug injection supplies, commonly referred to as heroin paraphernalia.

Drug paraphernalia associated with shooting black tar heroin includes:

• syringes
• needles
• spoons
• cotton balls
• materials for tying off the arm (e.g. rubber tubing, neckties)
• alcohol pads

Drug paraphernalia associated with inhaling black tar heroin:

• aluminum foil
• lighters
• matches
• candles
• teaspoons
• straws

Shooting heroin is the most common method of use, according to drug use researchers. This can cause rapid effects, often referred to as a “rush”, due to the direct entrance of the drug into the bloodstream.

Find Treatment For Black Tar Heroin Addiction

Black tar heroin addiction is difficult to overcome without treatment, as physical dependence means withdrawal begins within hours of the last dose, and attempting to quit alone greatly increases the risk of relapse and fatal overdose. Medically supervised detox is usually the best way to start, using medications like buprenorphine and methadone to manage withdrawal before transitioning into longer-term treatment.

Other treatment services may include:

• inpatient treatment
• outpatient programs
• day treatment
• medication-assisted treatment (MAT)
• dual diagnosis treatment
• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• group therapy
• family therapy
• relapse prevention
• 12-step recovery groups such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA)

For more helpful information about heroin addiction treatment programs, reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) or browse our directory.