Drug abuse can take a toll on your mind and body. People who struggle with substance use disorder (SUD) may experience a range of physical and emotional complications. Some may be life-threatening.

Combining addictive substances can lead to additional risks. Speedballing is a term that describes combining cocaine and heroin. This can be very dangerous–even more dangerous than using heroin or cocaine alone.

This article will explore the dangers of speedballing. You will learn:

If you or someone you love uses speedball drugs or other substances, you are not alone. Effective, compassionate treatment is available at the Carolina Center for Recovery. Contact our intake specialists with questions or set up an intake appointment.

The Effects and Risks of Cocaine

Cocaine affects the body in many ways. After users ingest it, this potent stimulant quickly reaches the brain. People may experience:

• Elevated mood
• Increased energy and alertness
• Heightened senses
• Euphoria
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure

People may also experience adverse side effects, including:

• Anxiety
• Psychosis
• Agitation
• Aggression or violent behaviors
• Irritability
• Vertigo
• Panic attacks

Over time, people can develop serious or life-threatening complications related to cocaine abuse, including:

• Cardiovascular disease
• Increased risk of stroke and heart attacks
• Permanent damage to the facial bones and sinuses
• Malnutrition and severe weight loss

Cocaine abuse can quickly lead to addiction, which can be very hard to overcome.

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The Effects and Risks of Heroin

Heroin is a highly addictive opiate drug. People who use heroin just a few times can develop physical dependence and addiction.

Users experience short-term effects of heroin, including:

• Euphoria
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Confusion
• Constricted pupils

Heroin users are at high risk of a deadly overdose. Heroin addiction is incredibly challenging to treat because heroin abuse changes how your brain and body work. People may require intensive treatment and support to overcome it.

The Dangers of Speedballing

Speedballing is a term that describes using heroin and cocaine at the same time. Typically, users inject this drug combination into a vein or snort it. Users report that speedballing results in a more intense and long-lasting “high” than using the drugs separately.

Heroin and cocaine have opposing effects. Heroin slows central nervous system (CNS) activity and has a sedative effect. Cocaine is a stimulant that increases blood pressure, energy, and alertness.

While some people believe that cocaine and heroin “cancel out” the effects of these drugs, this is not accurate. The truth is that combining these drugs is extremely dangerous.

The body must process heroin and cocaine at the same time. The sedative effects of heroin and stimulant effects of cocaine can strain the heart, lungs, and brain. Mixing them also increases the risk of overdose.

Common dangers of speedballing include:

• Drowsiness
• Paranoia
• Blurred vision
• Confusion
• Incoherence
• Stupor
• Lack of sleep and mental impairment
• Uncontrollable muscle movements
• Manic episodes
• Extreme depression

Speedballing puts immense strain on the liver, heart, and lungs. In some cases, people who use speedballs experience life-threatening, negative side effects, including:

• Respiratory failure
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Aneurysm

Speedballing is dangerous for many reasons. One of the most significant dangers of speedballing is the risk of respiratory arrest. Heroin slows breathing, and cocaine causes the body to require more oxygen.

Generally, the effects of cocaine wear off faster than the effects of heroin. Once the stimulant effects of cocaine disappear, the sedative effects of heroin may become more noticeable. This can lead to a dangerous lack of oxygen in the blood, which may result in loss of consciousness or death.

Mixing cocaine and heroin can affect people differently. Several factors can impact a person’s experience with speedballing. These include:

• A person’s mental health
• Their overall medical health
• The environment
• The purity and amount of the drugs they use

Overdose is another significant risk of speedballing. Research shows that poly-drug use (using more than one drug at a time) is responsible for an increasing number of overdose deaths.

Treating Substance Abuse and Addiction

People who abuse cocaine and heroin must receive comprehensive treatment. Many people with poly-drug abuse must participate in a medical detox program to help them safely stop using these drugs.

Comprehensive treatment programs offer evidence-based and holistic therapies that help people work toward long-term recovery. Treatment programs may include:

• Behavioral therapies
• Mental health treatment
• Medication management
• Relapse prevention education
• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Exercise, art therapy, mindfulness, and other holistic therapies
• Aftercare planning and support

People who participate in a comprehensive treatment program are more likely to have long-lasting recovery from addiction. Identifying the signs of addiction early can help you get life-saving treatment as quickly as possible.

Find Treatment Now

If you or someone you love struggles with substance abuse, you are not alone. Contact the Carolina Center for Recovery intake team now for more information.  You can explore our treatment and recovery support programs, ask questions, or schedule an intake appointment.

References:

1. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Cocaine
2. Science Direct: The Synergistic Effects of Combining Cocaine and Heroin (“Speedball”) Using a Progressive-Ratio Schedule of Drug Reinforcement
3. National Institute of Health (NIH): The Polysubstance Overdose-Death Crisis