this post was submitted on 21 Mar 2026
35 points (97.3% liked)

Explain Like I'm Five

20665 readers
39 users here now

Simplifying Complexity, One Answer at a Time!

Rules

  1. Be respectful and inclusive.
  2. No harassment, hate speech, or trolling.
  3. Engage in constructive discussions.
  4. Share relevant content.
  5. Follow guidelines and moderators' instructions.
  6. Use appropriate language and tone.
  7. Report violations.
  8. Foster a continuous learning environment.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
sabbah@lemmy.world
AradFort@lemmy.world
rikudou@lemmings.world
Don_Dickle@lemmy.world
Rikudou_Sage@lemmy.world
35
How do heroin users hit a vein on the first or second try without any medical experience? I sat thru 3 month course on draws and occasionally I miss just like DRs how do herion do first time out? (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 week ago by Patnou@lemmy.world to c/explainlikeimfive@lemmy.world
8 comments fedilink hide all child comments
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 2 points 6 days ago

I've seen kids learn to draw and administer medications in one lesson. Not iv meds, but subQ and im, yes.

Finding a vein only takes a little instruction and then some practice above and beyond what any injection takes. It's just a more precise version.

Mind you, finding veins on someone the first few times is not always easy. But, once you've found veins on a given person a handful of times, it gets easier. When it's your own, familiarity builds up quick enough that you'll master it as quick or quicker than tying off preparing the dose.

It is true, as others have said, that not every junkie actually develops the skills. Mind you, I kinda suck at actually finding veins, and at getting a needle/iv in. Never had much practice back when I was working because I wasn't supposed to be doing them at all.