What You Need to Know About Speedball & Its Drug Effects

Combining even prescription drugs can lead to unforeseen consequences, but what about when people combine illicit drugs?

As a drug rehab center in Philadelphia, we have seen it all, but one of more dangerous drug mixture is speedball.

What Is Speedball?

The speedball drug is a mixture of heroin and cocaine. Typically, the act of speedballing involves injecting these two drugs at the same time for an immediate high, but in some cases, people will snort both of these drugs together instead. The goal behind combining these two drugs is to experience the stronger effects for a longer amount of time.

Speedball Drug Effects

Speedballing is appealing to people who are already addicted to drugs and looking to get a good high. The combination of cocaine and heroin leads to what some users claim to be a more intense and long-lasting high than injecting these drugs alone.

Because everyone is different and speedball can include heroin and cocaine in varying amounts, the speedball effects can vary and may be unpredictable. Some of the immediate effects of speedball may include:

Euphoria
Confusion
Blurry vision
Uncontrollable movements
Paranoia or anxiety
Stupor

While the practice of speedballing may come with an immediate rush of euphoria, the side effects of speedball could be costly. People who are addicted to speedball or these individual drugs should immediately seek professional help to quit like with our IOP in Philadelphia.

The Dangers of Speedball

Mixing especially illicit drugs that are being abused is never a good idea. Drugs have different effects on the human body and combining them, as with speedball, can lead to unforeseen and dangerous consequences.

Cocaine is a stimulant that accelerates the central nervous system and causes an energy boost. In contrast, heroin slows down the heart rate and breathing. Many users mistakenly believe that because of these competing effects, they will cancel each other out; the negative side effects of each will disappear and users will experience an easier comedown from the speedball high. While some people may experience such benefits, there is no evidence to support these claims and not everyone will feel this same way.

While some users are chasing that high, speedball has a high propensity for overdose. From respiratory failure, heart attack, or stroke, this drug combination can lead to many life-threatening problems when taken in excess. In 2018, the number of drug overdose deaths in the United States that involved cocaine and an opioid like heroin hit over 10,000.¹ Especially if there are traces of fentanyl in the drugs, the chances of overdose increase. Because of this high risk of overdose with opioids, people addicted to these drugs should get opioid addiction treatment.

Even if someone feels better using both drugs at the same time, this drug combination is causing a serious strain on their body and its internal organs. Over time, long-term effects of speedball may lead to damage to the heart, lungs, and brain. There is also the possibility of I.V. drug use complications that can become serious.

No matter your substance abuse problem, at Banyan Philadelphia, we are here to help. Call us today at 888-280-4763 to learn more.

Sources & References:

NIH - Overdose Death Rates

Alyssa, Director of Digital Marketing

Alyssa is the National Director of Digital Marketing and is responsible for a multitude of integrated campaigns and events in the behavioral health and addictions field. All articles have been written by Alyssa and medically reviewed by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Darrin Mangiacarne.