This article was medically reviewed by Danielle Jacks, MD and by wikiHow staff writer, Janice Tieperman. Danielle Jacks, MD is a Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Asante Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons in Medford, Oregon. She has over seven years of experience in general surgery, and completed her surgical residency in 2021. In 2023, she completed a fellowship in Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation in New Orleans, Louisiana. She received her MD from Oregon Health and Science University in 2016.
There are 31 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
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When it comes to injections, injecting into a vein gives medication the most direct route into your bloodstream. Knowing how to intravenously inject your own medication gives you more freedom and flexibility in your medical regimen, but it’s really important to handle your supplies as safely and hygienically as possible. We’ll walk you through everything you should (and shouldn’t) do, so you can have a safe self-injection experience.
Things You Should Know
- Choose an injection site in your arm, if possible. Your hands, legs, and feet are also viable options, but you shouldn’t inject into your neck or groin.
- Always use a sterile and new needle to prevent infection and disease.
- Insert the needle at a slanted, 15- to 45-degree angle to make sure the medication goes into your vein.
- Pull back (or “register”) the syringe to make sure that you successfully hit a vein.
Steps
Expert Q&A
Video
Tips
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Practice self-injecting with both hands if you have to inject yourself frequently—this gives you a lot more flexibility when you rotate injection sites.[24]Thanks
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Sip on a warm drink, slip into a sweater, or hop into a warm shower before you need to inject your medicine. Then, place a warm compress over the injection site. All of this warmth helps your veins expand, which makes them a lot simpler to locate.[25]Thanks
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Drink several glasses of water about an hour before you plan on injecting your medication. The more hydrated you are, the easier it’ll be to find your veins.[26]Thanks
Warnings
- Always check with a medical professional about the health implications of the drugs you are injecting.Thanks
- Always use a fresh needle for each injection. Most needles aren’t made with high-quality materials and won’t be sharp after their first injection.[27]Thanks
- Make sure that a friend or loved one is nearby whenever you self-inject your medication. In case of emergencies, stock up on naloxone.[28]Thanks
- Don’t insert your needle more than 5 mm into your skin. If you go any deeper than this, you risk tapping a nerve or artery.[29]Thanks
Getting Help
- Drug addiction isn't easy to deal with—but you're not alone. There are lots of different ways to recover and heal from drug addiction, including day treatments, outpatient programs, and sober living communities.[30]
- A strong support network is a key part of recovery. Don't hesitate to ask your friends and loved for support, and consider joining a support group like Narcotics Anonymous.[31]
- Always call 911 if you need immediate medical help. If you need extra support (in a non-emergency situation), call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)'s hotline at 1-800-622-4357. If you need an international hotline, click here.
Things You’ll Need
- Syringe
- Tourniquet
- Alcohol wipe
- Cotton ball or tissue
- Bandage
- Closed container or sharps disposal container
References
- ↑ https://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/infosheet/safer-injecting-opioids-crack-and-crystal-meth
- ↑ https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/help-and-advice/safer-injecting/inject-hit-drugs-vein-safely/
- ↑ https://www.cdc.gov/clean-hands/about/
- ↑ https://harmreduction.org/issues/safer-drug-use/injection-safety-manual/safer-injection-basics/
- ↑ https://www.interiorhealth.ca/sites/default/files/PDFS/vein-care-pamphlet.pdf
- ↑ https://www.drugs.ie/resourcesfiles/guides/mqi_safer_injecting_guide.pdf
- ↑ https://ourhealthyeg.ca/safer-injecting
- ↑ https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/STB_Applying_Tourniquet_08-06-2018_0.pdf
- ↑ https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/selfcare-instructions/giving-an-im-intramuscular-injection
- ↑ https://onpointnyc.org/safer-iv-intraveneous-injection-guide/#:~:text=Inject%20with%20the%20syringe%20hole,of%20a%20heavy%20nod%2Foverdose
- ↑ https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/default-source/integrated-health-services-(ihs)/injection-safety/is_providers-guide.pdf?sfvrsn=1eac2c29_5
- ↑ https://www.youthaodtoolbox.org.au/sites/default/files/documents_global/Safer%20Injecting%20Resource%20Pack%20%28Flemen%2C%202008%29.pdf
- ↑ https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CHCQ/HAI/CDPH%20Document%20Library/8_Safe_Injection_Practices.Approved12.01.17-ADA.pdf
- ↑ https://www.oregon.gov/oha/PH/DISEASESCONDITIONS/COMMUNICABLEDISEASE/HAI/PREVENTION/Documents/Safe_injection_practices_overview_toolkit.pdf
- ↑ https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/40314/1/EuroNPUD_Safer_Injecting_Course.pdf
- ↑ https://firstaidforlife.org.uk/tourniquets/
- ↑ https://www.hrna-aiirm.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/HRNA_positionstatement_EN_181113.pdf
- ↑ https://fenwayhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/TH-109_Update-Hormone-Injection-Guide_6_19_2020_FINAL_pages.pdf
- ↑ https://www.redcross.org.uk/first-aid/learn-first-aid/bleeding-heavily
- ↑ https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/emergencies-and-first-aid-direct-pressure-to-stop-bleeding
- ↑ https://www.who.int/teams/integrated-health-services/infection-prevention-control/injection-safety
- ↑ https://insight.qld.edu.au/training/safe-injecting/detail
- ↑ https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/mental/take-care-take-charge.pdf
- ↑ https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/rmm/321/Document
- ↑ https://intermountainhealthcare.org/blogs/from-hot-to-cold-the-hidden-health-benefits-of-bathing
- ↑ https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/water.html
- ↑ https://www.health.state.mn.us/communities/opioids/basics/intravenous.html
- ↑ https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/iv-therapy
- ↑ https://londonfriend.org.uk/safer-injecting-practices/
- ↑ https://www.npr.org/2022/01/15/1071282194/addiction-substance-recovery-treatment
- ↑ https://www.helpguide.org/articles/addictions/overcoming-drug-addiction.htm
About This Article
Reader Success Stories
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"I did not know it was not safe to inject in leg. That is where I inject. Now that I know the info I just read, I wont inject in my legs anymore. Thank you for the info, this may have saved my legs."..." more