Injecting - Collective thoughts on IV drug use

[Beltane]

This may get moved, but most IV drug users are into H it seems w small and smaller minorities like coke and ketamine.

I read, and SWIM knows, that the needle is often an addiction of its own. Considering that and how much SWIM had to learn the hard way before meeting people at the needle exchange, I thought it miight be fun to share some collective wisdom on the IV part of our proclivity.

SWIM blew out his 2 best veins (inner arm) from missing and bad form before he got help.

He fixed for the first time yesterday in a public bathroom and as he didn't feel comfortable tying off (shot was all ready) he put his hand and arm thru the fly of his boxers and, using that as a tourniquet, was astounded to see and nail on the first try a vein on the blade/outer edge of his palm.

SWIM used to be afraid of hand shots and is now very comfortable with them. Tells people who ask that his cat plays rough.

Before the needle exchange, SWIM would use a point at least 10 times, sharpening between uses on a matchbook.

When SWIM reallly needs to hit he'll be looking at hands or, if they're not overworked, one of the big veins on the back of each forearm.

SWIM feels cool, like a Dr. when things go smooth and gets pissed when something gets fuckekd up.

SWIM's learned through practice to be very deliberate on 2nd and 3rd swings after an initial miss and no longer just jabs away.

SWIM learned, and it heped a lot, that the pain is just part of it. If one dreads it too much, as SWIM used to, needlework is sloppy leading to even more misses.

SWIM almost always has a good shot first one of the day; go figure.

After pulling point out, SWIM 99.99% of the time draws up and ejects water to keep rig somewhat clean. Due to needoe exchange SWIM 9.99% of the time uses new needles.

SWIM loses veins mid shot all the time, prompting his buddies to both advise and simulltaneous on flashing about 3 times per sho.

It's cool when someone hits, registers and then stops to take off the tie (like you're supposed to) witout losing the vein. SWIM can't d that.

What wisdom, knowledge and/or stories do you have to pass around about needles?

- Beltane

Reputation Comments on this post:

Great idea for post - nice n light