Definition

Verb: - To inject a drug, typically a narcotic, into the skin layer (intradermally or subcutaneously) rather than into a vein (intravenously). This is a method of drug administration often associated with heroin or other opioids.

Usage

This term is highly specific to the context of illicit drug use. It describes a particular method of injection. - Some users skin pop when they can't find a suitable vein. - Skin popping carries a high risk of skin infections and abscesses.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in medical, public health, and law enforcement contexts to describe and categorize drug use behaviors and associated health risks.
• It can be used figuratively in very informal contexts to describe a superficial or less intense action, though this is rare and non-standard. (e.g., )

Variants and Related Words

• Mainline (verb): To inject a drug directly into a vein (intravenously), which is a more direct and potent method compared to skin popping.
• Subcutaneous injection (noun): The medical term for an injection administered into the tissue layer between the skin and the muscle.
• Intradermal injection (noun): An injection administered into the dermis, just below the skin surface.

Synonyms

• Subcutaneous shoot (slang)
• Muscle (slang, though this more accurately refers to intramuscular injection)

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

(This term does not have standard phrasal verb forms.)

Related Idioms

(This term is not commonly used in idioms.)

Verb

1. inject (drugs) into the skin