Speedball Addiction: Everything You Need to Know

What is a Speedball?

The process called a speedball refers to two drugs taken simultaneously: heroin, one of the most potent opioids, and cocaine, one of the most powerful stimulants. The most commonly used method of bringing the two together is by injection, but many prefer to smoke the combination.

Heroin, being a morphine derivative, is known for slowing down the actions of the body, especially the breathing process. This can result in respiratory failure, especially when combined with another depressant like alcohol. Cocaine, on the other hand, speeds up the heart rate, energy, and nervous system stimulation. The combination of cocaine and heroin creates a “push-pull” effect on the body, which is highly dangerous and can cause severe negative side effects.

While the majority of users report that speedballing creates a more intense, longer effect than combining the drugs individually, the reality is that combining these drugs intensifies the destructive effects, increasing the risk of overdose and long-term damage.

The Risks of Speedballing

Speedball drug exposes the body to two drugs that are incredibly different from one another: a depressant and a stimulant. This allows for the risk of a fatal condition in which the body systems conflict with one another and there is extreme pressure on the heart, brain, and lungs.

The following are some of the dangers of the practice of speedballing:

• Respiratory failure: Heroin depresses the rate of breathing, whereas cocaine accelerates it. The body cannot cope with the opposing effects, which result in a critically low level of oxygen.
• Overdose: Because the initial rapid effect of cocaine wears off, the user resorts to injecting additional heroin and thereby risks respiratory arrest and overdose. The combination of heroin and cocaine greatly enhances the risk of a lethal overdose.
• Cocaine raises the heart rate and narrows blood vessels, whereas heroin can cause the blood pressure to drop. Both drugs, when combined, exert additional pressure on the heart, which can result in heart attacks or strokes.
• Impairment and disorientation: The two drugs taken together can cause severe disorientation, incoherence, paranoia, and impaired movement and coordination.

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The Introduction of Fentanyl into Speedballs

The development of fentanyl, an artificial opioid, has made speedballing more deadly. With a strength 50 to 100 times greater than that of morphine, the inclusion of fentanyl in speed ball has increased the potential for fatal overdoses.

Fentanyl is put into heroin by distributors to improve the strength and lower the price of the drug at the same time. The majority of users are unaware of the fentanyl in their drugs, increasing the danger they are exposed to. This deadly mix of fentanyl, cocaine, and heroin has created a sharp surge in overdose deaths.

Speedballing Side Effects

When the two drugs are taken together, users can suffer from numerous side effects, both short-term and long-term. The short-term side effects are serious and can be fatal. Some of the side effects include the following.

• Incoherence and confusion
• Double vision
• Drowsiness
• Paranoia
• Decline in brain function due to sleep loss
• Unpredictable movements
• Stupor

In the long term, the effects of speedballing are even more severe, affecting organs and bodily processes. Some of the long-term side effects include the following.

• Stroke and heart attack
• Respiratory failure
• Liver and kidney injury
• Increased risk for infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis (due to shared injecting needles)
• Cognitive impairment
• Tissue damage and abscesses due to injection use
• Chronic psychiatric problems, such as depression and paranoia
• Addiction

The Determinants of Speedball Addiction

Numerous factors determine the effect speedballing has on a person. They are:

• The quality and strength of the heroin and cocaine used can vary significantly, affecting the degree of risk posed by their combination.
• User experience: The tolerance of an individual to either drug greatly influences the effects experienced by them. Consumers of either drug regularly might develop increased tolerance levels; however, they are still highly susceptible to overdose.
• Mental health: Underlying conditions of mental health, including depression or anxiety, can lead individuals to be more vulnerable to being involved in drug use activities that are harmful, like speedballing.
• Setting and social influence: The setting in which an individual uses drugs can significantly influence their experience of speedballing, e.g. peer pressure.

Speedball Overdoses and Treatment

Speedball overdose can have fatal effects, and when heroin and cocaine are mixed, the user can significantly increase the chance of taking a lethal dose. If someone becomes unconscious after taking a speedball, you must seek medical care right away.

Treatment for Speedball Addiction

Treatment of speedball addiction is a complex problem because it is both an opioid and a stimulant addiction. There is no cure, but a combination of behavioral treatments with medication-assisted treatment is usually suggested.

1. Behavioral therapy: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is beneficial in the treatment of speedball addiction. It assists one in understanding the reasons for drug use, builds coping skills, and initiates improved behavior patterns.
2. The Matrix Model is a widely used treatment system for stimulant addiction, such as relapse prevention, drug abuse education, and active involvement in self-help programs.

Drugs: While there is no FDA-approved drug for cocaine addiction as of now, drugs like methadone or buprenorphine have proved effective in treating heroin addiction. These drugs work by reducing withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

FAQs on Speedball Treatment

Conclusion: Taking the Road to Recovery

Speedball addiction is a disease that requires instant attention and treatment. If you or someone you care about finds themself trapped in this addiction, the initial and most important step towards recovery is to get professional help.

We Level Up Washington is committed to creating an environment of safety and support where you can embark on the road to recovery and work towards achieving long-term sobriety. Call today to learn more about our treatment programs and how we can assist you or someone you care about in beating the dangers of speedball addiction. Take the first step towards a healthier, happier life.

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Call today to speak with our team and learn more about our programs. We Level Up Washington: (509) 348-4077. Your next step starts here.