Heroin: Methadone Symptoms & Side Effects

Question: How can you tell the difference between a heroin junkie and a crackhead?

(Posted by: Nate Shmool on 2010-03-06 13:24:13)

I see a lot of homeless people who appear to be either on drugs or mentally insane in Newark Penn Station, New York Penn Station, on the subway, in Port Authority and on the streets, but I can't always tell who is who. What distinguishing features would allow me to see who suffers from what addiction or impairment?

Posted by: SomeRandomGuy89 on 2010-03-06, 13:29:14

A lot of it is probably just alcohol but if you see somebody sitting completely upright or standing and they're asleep its more than likely heroin. Crack is a very short-lived high, that's why they are always desperate for more. Never seen a crackhead personally but I have seen a ton of people on very strong opiates like heroin and they're always passing out regardless of the way their body is positioned. Hope that helps at least a little.

Posted by: Lucas B on 2010-03-08, 15:08:26

Crack is a powerful stimulant and if someone is on it they will talk fast, be jittery, wired and very alert, they will not be standing still. Heroin is the opposite, sedating and the high usually slows people down and they can pass out (called nodding out) for short periods of time. It can also produce nausea so they will most likely be lying down or sitting down.