Drug and alcohol addiction can affect your mental and physical health in many ways. It can strain your relationships, harm your health, and prevent you from functioning in daily life. Living with substance use disorder can lead to long-term, sometimes life-threatening consequences.

Some of the consequences of substance abuse may last for years after you quit using addictive substances. Collapsed veins are one potential long-term outcome of certain types of substance abuse.

This article will explore what a collapsed vein is and how to recognize it.

If you or someone you love struggles with substance abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Contact the specialists at The Best Treatment to explore our holistic programs. You may contact us with questions, to verify your insurance, or to set up an intake appointment.

What is a Collapsed Vein?

A collapsed vein is a type of injury that can occur when people use intravenous (IV) drugs, including heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. This injury develops over a long period of use after people repeatedly inject drugs into the same vein.

A collapsed vein does not allow blood flow. People who inject drugs into the same vein will no longer be able to use that injection site. They will also not be able to draw blood from that vein.

Collapsed veins are permanent but do not cause long-term harm or symptoms. However, having collapsed veins means that your substance abuse is no longer in your control. It is a sign that you must seek treatment to avoid the worsening consequences of substance abuse.

What Causes a Collapsed Vein?

A collapsed vein occurs when someone repeatedly injects an IV drug into the same site. A collapsed vein is an injury that occurs when scar tissue builds up inside the vein. People who inject drugs into the same vein repeatedly are more likely to experience a collapsed vein.

Some factors that increase the likelihood of a collapsed vein include:

• Using the wrong size needle
• Using old or blunt needles to inject drugs
• Injecting drugs that contain irritating contaminants
• Using poor IV insertion techniques, such as injecting the needle at the wrong angle or  injecting into the same site over and over again

A collapsed vein occurs in stages as scar tissue builds up inside the vein. First, the inside of the vein becomes irritated from repeated injections.

Next, the injection site may form blood clots, causing the vein to narrow. At this stage, clots form more quickly.

Finally, scar tissue forms inside the vein. This narrows the vein and can cause complete blockage over time. Once there is a complete blockage, blood can no longer flow through the vein.

The Symptoms of a Collapsed Vein

It is not typically possible to see a collapsed vein just by looking at a person’s skin. People may experience bruising at the injection site at the time they use drugs. However, the collapsed vein does not necessarily cause bruising or other visible symptoms.

A blown vein and a collapsed vein are two separate conditions. Blown veins, which occur when the needle is pierced through both sides of the vein, can cause significant bruising from leaked blood. Ruptured veins can produce heavy bleeding. People may require medical treatment to prevent blood loss after puncturing a vein.

Here are some of the most significant symptoms of a collapsed vein.

Lack of blood flow

Collapsed veins do not allow blood flow. If you attempt to inject into a collapsed vein, you will be unable to draw out any blood. The collapse pain is blocked by scar tissue. It may be difficult or impossible to find the vein.

Slow healing

During the healing process, your body sends blood to injuries or areas of inflammation. Because blood can’t pass through a collapsed vein, healing in that area may be slower. Sores, ulcers, or other injuries may heal slowly, which can put you at higher risk for infection.

Poor circulation

Scar tissue prevents blood from flowing through a collapsed vein. Some people with collapsed veins experience poor circulation in those areas of the body. They may experience symptoms that include:

•  Itching
•  Numbness
•  Feeling cold
•  Tingling

These symptoms can indicate that blood is not flowing freely to an area of the body. They may be symptoms of a collapsed vein.

How to Treat a Collapsed Vein

You can prevent collapsed veins by using good injection techniques, including stabilizing the vein and learning how to manage rolling veins when drawing blood or inserting drugs. However, substance abuse can have dangerous short and long-term effects. It is critical to get treatment for substance abuse as soon as you recognize a problem.

Collapsed veins are permanent. There is nothing you can do to heal or reopen a collapsed vein. Once a vein has collapsed, your body must adapt by sending blood through other veins. However, symptoms of poor circulation may remain for the rest of your life.

There are ways to manage the symptoms of a collapsed vein and promote healing in that area of the body. These include:

• Keeping the needle insertion site clean to avoid infection until your skin is completely healed
• Avoiding injecting into that vein or in the nearby area
• Taking ibuprofen or other over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce pain, swelling, or discomfort
• Consulting a healthcare professional If you experience swelling, itchiness, or redness in the area

One of the most important things that you can do to prevent blown veins or collapsed veins is to seek treatment for substance abuse. Letting substance abuse go untreated increases the risks of experiencing collapsed veins or other severe complications.

Find Treatment Now

If you or someone you love struggles with IV drug abuse or any kind of substance abuse, you are not alone. Contact the specialists at The Best Treatment to explore our holistic treatment and recovery support programs.

References:

1. National Institute of Health (NIH): Impact of injection drug use on distribution and severity of chronic venous disorders
2. Science Direct: Lower extremity changes, pain, and function in injection drug users
3. NIH: Venous collapse and the respiratory variability in systemic venous return