Plugging Drugs: What Is Plugging (Rectal Drug Use)?

Plugging drugs is a method of taking substances by inserting them into the rectum using a syringe without a needle or by other means. While this practice is less common than swallowing pills, snorting powder, smoking, or injecting drugs into veins, some people with substance use disorders choose this method because it causes drugs to enter the bloodstream fast. Plugging is also called boofing, booty bumping, or butt-chugging, and people use this method with substances like alcohol, heroin, cocaine, MDMA, methamphetamine, and prescription pills.

Plugging drugs carries serious health risks regardless of which substance a person uses. The rectum has thin tissue and many blood vessels that absorb drugs quickly, which can lead to overdose because the effects happen faster and stronger than other methods. Common dangers include damage to rectal tissue that can cause bleeding and infections, problems with blood flow in the area, tears or perforations in the intestinal wall, and a higher chance of taking too much of a drug without realizing it. The risks increase when people plug drugs regularly or use this method with substances that were never intended for rectal use.

What Is Plugging Drugs?

Plugging drugs is one method of administration. Instead of taking drugs orally, injecting them, or snorting them, a person may take them rectally.

Plugging may be most commonly seen among people who are abusing:

• cocaine
• methamphetamine (including crystal meth)
• heroin
• morphine
• MDMA (ecstasy)
• Xanax
• Klonopin
• alcohol
• Oxycodone
• methadone
• tramadol
• Ambien
• Suboxone
• Ritalin
• Adderall
• Kratom
• Valium
• Gabapentin
• Dilaudid (Hydromorphone)
• Viagra
• DMT
• Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco)
• Ketamine
• Vyvanse

Plugging may take the form of inserting a pill into the rectum as it is, crushing the pill and filling a gel capsule with the powder for insertion, or diluting the pill or powder in water and inserting the fluid with a syringe.

Why Do People Plug Drugs?

Rectal administration is a common practice for doctors in the United States who may prescribe suppositories or administer enemas. Drugs administered this way may have a faster onset time than drugs taken orally as well as a higher bioavailability. That means it may take less of the drug to achieve the same effect. Plus, this method of administration could also reduce the unpleasant side effects of some drugs. Unfortunately, these are also reasons that a person who is abusing drugs may try plugging.

Plugging drugs may provide users with a more intense high and they may have to use less of the drug to get the desired effects. Plus, if the drug typically makes a person nauseous by taking it orally, they may be able to avoid this with rectal administration. Still, like all other routes of administration, plugging comes with its own set of side effects and dangers.

Side Effects Of Plugging Drugs

When drugs are administered rectally, they’re absorbed through the lining inside the rectum. After extended exposure, this could quickly lead to side effects that range from moderate to severe.

Some of the most common side effects of plugging drugs may include:

• persistent diarrhea
• damaged rectal tissue
• poor blood circulation

These seemingly minor side effects can easily lead to more serious problems. For example, damaged rectal tissue can increase the risk of sexually transmitted diseases or sexually transmitted infections if the person is also engaging in anal sex. There’s also an increased risk of hepatitis as well as HIV/AIDS if a person is sharing equipment. Additional side effects can vary depending on the specific drug that a person is plugging.

Overdose Risk From Rectal Drug Use

Plugging drugs could lead to an increased risk of overdose regardless of whether a person has tried the drug before. Because rectal administration can lead to a more intense high that both comes on and fades very quickly, the desired effects of a drug may wear off before the drug has left a person’s system. This can cause a person to take more of the drug and lead to accidental overdosing.

Common signs of a drug overdose may include:

• dilated pupils or red eyes
• shortness of breath
• blue lips or fingertips
• nausea and vomiting
• chest pain/increased heart rate
• confusion or irritability
• unconsciousness
• seizures and shaking

If you notice these signs or suspect an overdose, be sure to call 911 immediately.

Other Dangers Of Plugging Drugs

Plugging drugs can cause a range of serious physical problems beyond the immediate health risks. People who use this method may experience rectal pain, bleeding when having bowel movements, and tears in the colon or rectum that can lead to infection. The practice can also damage the muscles that control bowel movements, making it difficult for a person to control when they need to use the bathroom. Additionally, plugging drugs can decrease blood flow to the small intestine and surrounding areas, which may cause tissue to die from lack of oxygen and nutrients.

The risk of developing these medical complications increases significantly when a person plugs drugs repeatedly over weeks, months, or years. Long-term use of this administration method causes cumulative damage to the rectal tissue and intestinal lining that may become permanent. Some of these conditions require surgery to repair, while others can lead to chronic pain and digestive problems that last long after a person stops using drugs.

Treatment Options For Substance Abuse

If you or a loved one have problems with substance use in any way, there are a variety of treatment options available. Drug abuse and addiction can be treated with both inpatient and outpatient programs. Naturally, inpatient programs are more intensive and immersive. With inpatient treatment programs, a person will go to a detox facility and stay for several days or weeks full-time while receiving treatment.

Alternatively, outpatient treatment options are available for people who may be treating an addiction while still attending work, school, or supporting a family. In an outpatient program, people visit an addiction treatment center several times weekly to get support and resources.

While treatment methods may vary based on the specific drug being used, substance abuse treatment, in general, may include:

• behavioral counseling
• group or individual therapy
• reward-based incentives
• evaluation and treatment for other mental health illnesses

Quitting some drugs “cold turkey” can lead to dangerous withdrawal symptoms. For this reason, it’s best to contact an addiction treatment specialist that can work with you to decide on the best course of action. Browse our directory or reach out to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for more information about addiction recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff