Snorting is when someone inhales drugs through their nose. Using drugs this way means the effects come on quickly and can wear off faster. Sometimes, a liquid drug is made into a nasal spray and squirted into the nose.
You may want to consider doing these things if you decide to snort drugs:
Use smaller amounts.
Because snorting drugs delivers them to your body faster, there can be an increased risk of intense or unpleasant effects and overdose, especially if you take a large amount.
Take breaks between snorting drugs.
Snorting drugs regularly can damage your nose by causing holes in the nasal tissue. This can lead to loss of smell, nose bleeds, and problems breathing or swallowing. It’s a good idea to take breaks between snorting drugs to reduce the risk of damage. Stop snorting if your nose starts bleeding - this is a sign of damage to your nasal passage.
Do a sinus rinse after snorting.
Rinsing your nostrils with a saline rinse or sterile water after snorting can reduce the risk of damage to your nasal passage and make your nose feel less sore or blocked. You can read our article about how to do a nasal rinse here.
Avoid snorting pills or drugs with fillers.
Many pills have fillers and binders that can be dangerous to snort and can cause you to have a sore or blocked nose. Some binders can also increase your risk of getting an infection in your nose. If you do snort drugs with filler, it is extra important to do a sinus rinse afterwards.
Use a clean surface and a new straw or snorting utensil every time.
This is important to help avoid infection. Don’t share snorting utensils or surfaces with others as this increases your risk of transmitting bacteria and viruses. If you are with a group of people, consider having a different coloured straw and piece of card for each person so you don’t accidentally mix them up. Clean snorting surfaces in between snorting or consider using a new piece of paper or card and discarding it after use.