Some sort of drug?

LegacyUser

My friends brother moved into her flat about 6 mths ago. All was going well except the last few mths he seems to be unwell a lot. Aches & pains, red eyes, falling asleep Suddenly & dosey eyes. When I'm over there I noticed he spends a lot of time in the bathroom.

We did a bit of detective work & found spots of blood in various places, small pieces of tin foil & some sort of citric fruit with a cut in it. There was no needles but a srong smell of air freshner. Neither of us have any experience with drugs. . What could he be doing. How does one confront someone in this situation?

intheclouds

Non confrontationally, tell him he seems unwell a lot recently and that you found tin foil and blood and you are worried he is doing drugs?

His reaction will probably tell you a lot.

lukesmom

Sounds like he is smoking heroin. Awful addiction she will have to confront him.

power pants

and injecting too but its all speculation

blood and citrus would lead to injecting possibility

tinfoil could be from smoking

Edward Hopper

Heroin dissolves well with citric acid, which can unfortunately sometimes result in infections of the eyes. He sounds like he's injecting to me, but nothing to say he isn't smoking it as well. Could be abusing the aerosol air freshener too.

Could also be completely innocent, he cut himself shaving, using the citric acid to clean the bathroom. Yeah, I know.

I know which one my money is on sadly, but she needs to ask him. Very sorry for your friends predicament.

...And Justice

Having extended family members which are addicted to heroin, what you are describing is heroin addiction. I'd be very surprised if it wasn't. We used to find blood splashed on walls in the kitchen and bathroom. Heroin stinks, that's what the air freshener is for.

In my experience, when heroin takes hold, the family members moved away to a flat or house to try to hide the addiction.

lukesmom

It's her brother and she needs to help him before it's too late. My brother was 22 and I wish I had another chance to try and help him but he is dead and that's what drugs do.

suicide_circus

Definitely heroin, your friend needs to act quickly.

power pants

suicide_circus wrote: »

Definitely heroin, your friend needs to act quickly.

its not definitely anything

could be cocaine too. inject cocaine ie the blood and tinfoil for the crack

davmol

power pants wrote: »

its not definitely anything

could be cocaine too. inject cocaine ie the blood and tinfoil for the crack

Its DEFINITELY heroin

njs030

power pants wrote: »

its not definitely anything

could be cocaine too. inject cocaine ie the blood and tinfoil for the crack

The citrus fruit would make it more likely to be heroin than cocaine.

Magicmatilda

notjustsweet wrote: »

The citrus fruit would make it more likely to be heroin than cocaine.

As would the symptoms - being sleepy could be goofing off.

Cocaine does not tend to make people sleepy.

Rachiee

Honestly it sounds like heroin, citris and blood splattering would suggest injecting and tin foil would suggest smoking, sometimes people alternate between the two. I highly doubt he's huffing air freshner (as another poster suggested) I'd say this is more to cover up the smell. If he is covering his tracks he doesn't want his sister to know may be concerned he will be kicked out so is likely to be defensive when the issue is raised.
If when confronted he says this is something he would like help with there is a directory of drug services available on www.drugs.ie where you can search by location. If he will not engage in the issue there are also supports available for family members listed. Good luck

power pants

Magicmatilda wrote: »

As would the symptoms - being sleepy could be goofing off.

Cocaine does not tend to make people sleepy.

it does, the day after taking cocaine your body and mind is the same state as taking heroin.

yes its more than likely heroin but its not unreasonable to be cocaine or both.

citric can be used to break up cocaine for the same reasons as it is used for heroin. However it stings the vains more so people tend to use water more often than not for coke

MartyMcFly84

I have never heard of people injecting cocaine... I am sure it happens but it is certainly not way the vast majority of users would consume that drug.

The classic symptoms and paraphernalia would point towards heroin use.

power pants

MartyMcFly84 wrote: »

I have never heard of people injecting cocaine... I am sure it happens but it is certainly not way the vast majority of users would consume that drug.

The classic symptoms and paraphernalia would point towards heroin use.

Most people if not all that are already injecting heroin inject cocaine too.

faster and harder hit, they also do speed balls where you mix heroin with cocaine and inject it at the same time

cocaine goes clear in a syringe barrell and heroin is your dark brown.

if you are concerned that they are using drugs, I would be surprised you have not seen any needles, tops lying around. in a bag etc

lukesmom

power pants wrote: »

Most people if not all that are already injecting heroin inject cocaine too.

faster and harder hit, they also do speed balls where you mix heroin with cocaine and inject it at the same time

cocaine goes clear in a syringe barrell and heroin is your dark brown.

if you are concerned that they are using drugs, I would be surprised you have not seen any needles, tops lying around. in a bag etc

That's really not true. If you were to interview 50 heroin users I can guarantee that none would be injecting cocaine. Where are you getting your assumption that they do??? Or did you see it in a movie?

power pants

you can guarantee?

I worked in merchants quay for 2 years, 10 years ago

I read you have first hand experience from a family member. That's tough going but dont base your assumptions only on your family member and your experience

The point I am making is , it could be something else than heroin or both

And from a further perspective it might not be drugs at all. Op needs more evidence and facts to truly find out

irishgirl19

Sounds like heroin. Before my boyfriend and I lived on our own we house shared.
Had the same problem. An addict moved in :-( it was horrible.
Is any of your vinegar gone missing??

irishgirl19

power pants wrote:

And from a further perspective it might not be drugs at all. Op needs more evidence and facts to truly find out

I would go with my gut on this one