How to inject into a vein more safely

Reducing harm when injecting

We recognise that some ways of injecting drugs carry less risk than others. This step-by-step guide on how to inject into a vein more safely can help you reduce harm.

Step 1:

Prepare a safer space.

See how to do this and reduce the risk of infections 

Step 2:

Prepare your equipment.

See how to do this and reduce the risk of infections 

Step 3:

Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Watch how to fully wash your hands

If you don’t have soap and water, you can use new alcohol swabs or hand sanitiser gel:

• If using swabs, use a swiping motion in one direction. Rubbing in a circular or back and forth motion can spread dirt and bacteria around
• If using hand sanitiser gel, let your hands air dry for at least 10 seconds and then rub them together. Wiping your hands instead of letting them air dry can make them dirty again

Step 4:

Next, wash the place where you're planning to inject. Use soap and water if possible. If you use swabs, use a swiping motion in just one direction.

Step 5:

Always inject towards your heart, in other words in the same direction as your blood flow.

For information about how to choose a vein

Put the needle into the vein at an angle (no more than 45 degrees) with the hole of the needle facing upwards. This helps to stop you from going through the vein.

For more information about how to raise a vein

Step 6:

Pull back the plunger and a little dark red blood should appear. This means you’re into a vein.

• If no blood appears in the barrel: you’re not in the vein – pull the needle out, take the tourniquet off (if you're using one) and apply pressure with a clean tissue or cotton wool. Then try injecting somewhere else
• If the blood is bright red or gushing: you’ve probably hit an artery – pull the needle out and apply pressure with a clean tissue or cotton wool

Step 7:

Loosen the tourniquet (if you’re using one) and gently push the plunger.

Step 8:

Pull the needle out in the same direction you put it in.

Step 9:

Apply pressure for a couple of minutes with a clean tissue or cotton wool.

Do not use a swab: this can stop the blood from clotting and increase bleeding.

If you miss the vein (missed hit)

If you miss a vein, you may feel some pain and swelling where you’ve injected.

Missing the vein raises the risk of an infection. Get some medical advice if the area gets hot, painful, swollen, red or dark (depending on your skin colour).

Avoid flushing

Flushing is when you pull blood back into the syringe and mix it with the drugs.

It’s best to avoid it because it causes more damage to your veins. You won’t get anything extra out of the syringe either.