Comedians John Belushi, Chris Farley, and Mitch Hedberg are among the many people who have died of drug overdoses that involved heroin and cocaine. Unfortunately, this dangerous combination, which is often referred to as a speedball drug, remains popular among people who are seeking a particular type of recreational high.

What is the Speedball Drug?

A speedball drug, or a speedball, is a combination of a depressant (typically an opioid) and a stimulant. Taking drugs in this manner is also known as speedballing. 

Perhaps the most well-known speedball drug is heroin mixed with cocaine, which is often delivered via IV injection. In other types of speedball drugs, amphetamine or methamphetamine may substitute for cocaine, and prescription painkillers may replace heroin.

Regardless of which drug combination is included in a speedball, this form of substance abuse is extremely risky, with potential outcomes including overdose and death. 

Why Do People Use the Speedball Drug Concoction?

It’s impossible to identify every influence that could lead someone to use speedball drugs. However, one of the most common reasons that people have given is that the combination of powerful stimulants and depressants leads to a more intense high than they could experience by taking either substance on its own.

People who abuse heroin or other opioids often have difficulty staying awake (a phenomenon that is sometimes referred to as “nodding out”). Adding cocaine or another stimulant may be a misguided attempt to stay awake longer, so the individual can enjoy the euphoric rush of opioids for an extended period of time.

Unfortunately, the “logic” behind this approach doesn’t account for the dangerous ways that these drugs can interact with each other and harm the person who takes them. 

Dangers of Speedballing

As we noted earlier in this post, the greatest danger of speedballing is death. But that isn’t the only negative outcome that has been associated with this type of substance abuse. 

The following are examples of the many other possible short- and long-term dangers of speedballing:

• Addiction
• Confusion and disorientation
• Panic
• Paranoia
• Cognitive impairments
• Exposure to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other bloodborne diseases
• Weakening of the heart muscle
• Heart attack 
• Liver and kidney damage
• Seizures
• Stroke
• Onset of co-occurring mental health concerns
• Being arrested, fined, and jailed
• Job loss and long-term unemployment
• Financial devastation
• Social isolation
• Suicidal ideation

It is difficult to overstate the level of damage a person can incur if they continue to abuse speedball drugs. When this behavior causes a person to become addicted, they may be unable to curtail their speedball use on their own, which can put them in ongoing jeopardy. 

How Can You Stop Speedballing?

Once a person has developed an addiction, ending their speedball use often involves a combination of medication and therapy. 

Some prescription medications can ease withdrawal symptoms, which can make it easier for someone to stop using stimulants or opioids. Medication can also be beneficial if a person’s speedball addiction is accompanied by certain co-occurring mental health conditions.

The therapeutic part of treatment for speedball addiction is designed to help people acquire the skills and make the lifestyle changes that will support their successful recovery. 

During addiction therapy services, participants can learn about the disease of addiction, identify their triggers (circumstances that could push them back into active substance use), and develop the ability to manage difficult emotions without resorting to speedballing or other self-defeating behaviors.

Treatment Options

Individuals who are seeking help for speedball addiction have a variety of options. While there’s no single perfect course of treatment that works for everyone, many people benefit from spending time in one or more of the following programs:

• Detoxification: If a person has been unable to get through withdrawal on their own, they may need to begin their treatment with detox. Detox is a short-term program where patients can receive both medical and therapeutic support. This helps them ease their distress as they rid their bodies of cocaine, heroin, and other dangerous substances.
• Inpatient rehab: Many people transition from detox into inpatient rehab. At this level, patients live at the center where they are receiving care. In addition to multiple forms of therapy, inpatient rehab also offers round-the-clock support to help people gain a solid foothold in early recovery.
• Outpatient care: Outpatient treatment for addiction may also feature an array of therapies and support services, but it does not offer a residential component. Depending on the needs of the individual and the structure of the program, people who are in outpatient care may work part-time, take classes, volunteer, and otherwise begin to reintegrate into their community.

Some patients step down to the outpatient level for additional support after they’ve completed inpatient rehab. Others transition directly from detox to outpatient care or enter treatment directly at the outpatient level.

Remember: There’s no “right” way to recover from speedball addiction. When you’re seeking professional care to help you end your abuse of speedball drugs, focus on finding a provider who can assess the full scope of your needs, then develop an individualized plan just for you.

Contact Our Drug Rehab Facility in Los Angeles, CA

Sanctuary Treatment Center offers a full continuum of customized care for adults who have become addicted to substances. Our drug rehab facility in Los Angeles, California, is a safe and welcoming place where you can take significant steps toward a much healthier and more hopeful life, free from the constraints of compulsive substance abuse. 

To learn more about our programs and services, or to schedule a free assessment for yourself or a loved one, please visit our Contact Us page or call our center today.

You are probably aware that crack and meth are powerful illegal drugs. But do you understand the similarities and differences between crack vs. meth? Increasing your knowledge of these dangerous substances can help you determine if someone that you know has been abusing them, so you can connect them with appropriate care before it’s too late.

What is Crack?

Crack is a version of cocaine. Instead of appearing as a white powder that can be snorted, crack is baked into small crystalline rocks that can be smoked. The term “crack” refers to the crackling sound these rocks make when they are heated.

Crack produces effects that are similar to powder cocaine. The primary differences between the two versions of the drug are that crack’s effects usually occur faster and become more intense, but they don’t last as long.

Crack use emerged as a serious public health threat in the 1980s. Though rates of crack abuse have declined since then, the drug has not disappeared. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about 996,000 people ages 12 and above in the United States used crack in the past 12 months.

What is Meth?

Meth is short for methamphetamine. It is sometimes referred to as crystal meth due to its appearance. Like crack, meth is a stimulant. This means that it speeds up the ability of neurons to send and receive messages throughout the central nervous system.

Meth can be ingested in several ways. As a crystal, it can be heated and smoked. It may also be crushed into a powder and snorted, dissolved into a solution and injected, or taken orally in pill form. There is no such thing as safe meth use, but injecting the drug may be particularly dangerous because it can expose a person to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other bloodborne diseases.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has reported that an estimated 2.5 million people ages 12 and above in the U.S. used meth in the previous year. NIDA has also reported that about 1.6 million people were addicted to meth in the past 12 months.

Crack vs Meth: Experience

Crack and meth are both stimulants. When someone uses either of these drugs, they are likely to experience effects such as:

• Euphoric rush
• Racing heart rate and increased blood pressure
• Elevated energy and self-confidence
• Heightened sensitivity to light, sound, and touch
• Loss of appetite and diminished need for sleep

In terms of a person’s experience when taking these drugs, one of the primary differences between crack vs. meth is the duration of their effects. When someone uses crack, the drug’s effects typically wear off in about 10-15 minutes. When a person ingests meth, the high may last for six to 12 hours.

Crack vs Meth: Addiction

In terms of addiction, there isn’t a significant difference between crack vs. meth. People who use either one of these drugs are at high risk of becoming addicted. 

When the effects of these drugs wear off, they can be followed by a dramatic physical and psychological crash. To prevent this crash from occurring, people often use these drugs multiple times. For example, someone who is in the midst of a meth binge may stay up for several days in a row, taking meth every time they feel their stamina beginning to wane.

The more frequently a person uses crack or meth, the more likely they are to become dependent on it. Once a person has become addicted, it can be extremely difficult for them to end their crack or meth use without professional care.

Crack vs Meth: Dangers

Addiction is just one of many negative outcomes that can result from crack or meth abuse. The following is a quick comparison of the dangers of crack vs. meth.

Potential dangers of crack include:

• Diminished cognition
• Cardiovascular distress
• Liver and kidney damage
• Malnutrition
• Hallucinations and delusions
• Paranoia 
• Delirium and psychosis

People who use meth for an extended period may incur the following types of harm:

• Severe dental decay
• Skin damage due to compulsive scratching and picking
• Aggressive and violent behaviors
• Auditory and visual hallucinations
• Altered brain structure and functioning
• Memory impairments
• Psychosis

Though there are a few differences between the dangers of crack vs. meth, it is no exaggeration to note that anyone who abuses either of these drugs exposes themselves to potentially catastrophic damage, up to and including death.

How is Crack Addiction vs. Meth Addiction Treated?

One important similarity between crack vs. meth is that addictions to either of these drugs can be treated. 

The ideal course of treatment for someone who has become addicted to either crack or meth can be influenced by a variety of personal factors, including how long the person has been abusing the drug, how much they have been using, how their life has been affected by their addiction, and if they have any co-occurring mental health concerns.

Many people who have become dependent on crack or meth start their treatment experience with detoxification. Detox is a short-term program that helps people get through withdrawal safely and with minimal distress.

Following detox, a person’s treatment for crack or meth addiction may involve inpatient and/or outpatient care. Within these programs, they may take part is various therapies and support services to help them in the following ways:

• Replacing maladaptive thought and behavior patterns with healthier ways of thinking and acting
• Developing better stress-management and coping skills
• Identifying the triggers that could undermine their recovery
• Working on strategies for avoiding triggers or responding to them without resorting to substance abuse
• Beginning to repair relationships that were damaged by their addictive behaviors
• Sharing support with others who have had similar struggles and who are also working toward a healthier future
• Connecting with community-based resources that can offer long-term support

Contact Our Crack and Meth Addiction Treatment Center in Los Angeles, CA

If you or someone in your life has become addicted to crack or meth, Sanctuary Treatment Center can help. Our crack and meth addiction treatment center is a trusted source of life-affirming inpatient and outpatient care for adults in the Los Angeles area.

Our team of compassionate professionals works closely with each patient to determine the full scope of their mental and behavioral health needs, and we use these insights to develop customized plans to help our patients end their substance abuse and build a foundation for successful, long-term recovery.

We understand that every person who struggles with crack or meth addiction is impacted in a unique way, and we are committed to providing each patient with a truly individualized experience while they are in our care.

To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Admissions page or call us today.

Some people can use alcohol and certain other substances without becoming addicted. For others, even minimal exposure to a drug leads to the development of a substance use disorder. Why does this happen? What makes drugs addictive – and what is the most addictive drug?

What Makes Drugs Addictive?

According to a report by the U.S. surgeon general, most addictive drugs trigger a flood of the neurotransmitter dopamine in an area of the central nervous system known as the basal ganglia, which controls functions such as learning and reward. The excess dopamine allows neurons in the basal ganglia to communicate more rapidly. Hence producing a sense of euphoria and other pleasurable effects.

Over time, receptors in the basal ganglia adapt to the presence of the substance, and they do not respond at the same level. This means that a person must use larger amounts of the addictive drug in order to achieve the desired effect.

The surgeon general also reports that changes in two other areas – the extended amygdala and the prefrontal cortex – may be responsible for the distressing effects a person feels when they try to stop using a drug that they have become addicted to. 

This combination of a desire for pleasure and a fear of experiencing pain can trap a person in the downward spiral of addiction.

What is the Most Addictive Drug?

Asking what is the most addictive drug is a simple, straightforward request. Unfortunately, this question does not have a simple answer.

Many sources cite heroin (or opioids, which is the category that heroin belongs to) as the most addictive drug. Heroin and other opioids do, indeed, have a high risk of abuse and addiction. In addition, once a person becomes dependent on them, the distress of withdrawal can make it very difficult to stop using them.

Cocaine and methamphetamine are also commonly included in discussions about what is the most addictive drug. These substances both cause an intense rush, followed by a painful physical and emotional crash. This can prompt a person to abuse them multiple times. This can increase the odds that the individual will become addicted.

Given the millions of people who have become addicted to alcohol and nicotine, these two substances may also merit consideration as possible answers to this question.

Here are a few reasons why it’s so difficult to identify what is the most addictive drug:

• The signs and symptoms of addiction can be very different from one person to the next.
• It is impossible to accurately identify how many people have used a drug and how many have become addicted to it. 
• Does “most addictive” refer to how quickly addiction occurs, or how difficult it is to overcome?

Ease of access and cultural acceptance can also influence rates of abuse and addiction. For example, in the United States, nicotine use and addiction were much more prevalent decades ago, when there were few laws restricting where and when people could smoke. On a related note, one of the reasons why some people in the U.S. find it so difficult to resist the compulsion to drink is because alcohol has been so thoroughly incorporated into so many facets of life. 

Though it may be impossible to achieve universal consensus on what is the most addictive drug, it may be much easier to determine which substances should be included in an expanded list of the most addictive drugs.  

List of the Top 10 Most Addictive Drugs

Here, in alphabetical order, are 10 substances that many experts would agree are among the world’s most addictive drugs:

1. Alcohol
2. Amphetamine
3. Barbiturates
4. Benzodiazepines
5. Cocaine
6. Heroin
7. Marijuana
8. Opioid Agonists
9. Methamphetamine
10. Nicotine

Dangers of These Addictive Drugs

When someone abuses these addictive drugs, they can expose themselves to immediate and long-term harm. 

The types of dangers that can result from addictive drugs can vary considerably from one substance to the next. These dangers can also be magnified by factors such as the individual’s age, gender, and metabolism; if they have a mental health condition; and if they have been engaging in polysubstance abuse (abusing multiple drugs at the same time). 

Depending on these factors, here are some of the many potential negative effects that can result from the abuse of addictive drugs:

• Memory problems and other cognitive deficiencies
• Physical injuries due to impaired coordination and judgement
• Malnutrition and other health concerns due to poor self-care
• Damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, liver, and other organs
• Onset or worsening of co-occurring mental illness
• Exposure to HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and other bloodborne diseases
• Increased risk of certain types of cancer
• Legal problems, including being arrested, fined, and/or incarcerated
• Inability to get and keep a job
• Ruined relationships with friends and family members
• Financial devastation
• Social withdrawal and isolation
• Homelessness
• Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
• Overdose
• Death

It is important to understand that, contrary to a persistent myth, you don’t have to incur overwhelming damage (or “hit rock bottom”) before you can benefit from professional care. The moment you realize that you have a problem with alcohol, cocaine, heroin, or any other addictive substance, you can begin your recovery journey. 

Get Help Today at Our Los Angeles Addiction Treatment Centers 

Sanctuary Treatment Center is a respected provider of personalized care for adults who have become addicted to alcohol and other drugs. Treatment options at our rehab center in Los Angeles include detoxification, inpatient care, and outpatient programming. At every level of care, you can expect to receive customized services in a safe and respectful environment. 

With the help of our skilled treatment professionals, you can end your substance abuse, regain control of your behaviors, and begin to live a healthier, drug-free life. To learn more or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact Us page or call us today.