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Speedballing involves the use of heroin and cocaine, either simultaneously or one after the
other. Most commonly speedballing is refered to when someone injects a stimulant and depressant. The ultimate
effect the user is looking for is an escape from reality. Maximum pleasure is produced by the 2 drugs synergistic surge,
as well as boosting the endorphins and serotonin. The use of these two drugs sumultaneously boosts Dopamine
in the brain which produces a euphoria. This poly drug use reduces the negative side effects (Dr. Russell Newcombe,
Lifeline). This deadly concoction gives the user the rush from the cocaine with the relaxing feeling of the heroin.
Speedballing is most commonly done with the use of heroin and cocaine but can be done with any upper and downer used together.
Examples of such concoctions could be alcohol and cocaine or energy drinks and alcohol.
A stimulant drug is one that will increase your pulse and metabolism. They can also cause users
to become more talktative, energetic, and anxious. Their effects wear off quickly [6]. Stimulants are a class of
drugs that elevate mood, increase feelings of well-being and increase energy and alertness. Stimulants often produce
a feeling of euphoria in users. Examples of stimulants include; crack, cocaine, amphetamines, meth, nicotine, caffeine,
MDMA (also known as Ecstacy.) [6]
A depressant is a drug that will slow your pulse, relieve anxiety , and produce sleep. Their
effects last longer than a stimulants. [5]
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Risks of Speedballing:
It has been reported that speedball abusers exhibit a more severe psychopathology compared
to other cocaine abusers, and are more likely to fail in drug treatment, and are at increased risk of contracting HIV infection.
[4] aranoia in some users. Single high doses can produce dangerously high body temperatures and an irregular heartbeats.[5]
Methamphetamines can produce a variety of heart problems and stroke producing damage to blood vessels in the brain.[2]
Cocaine users have reported panic attacks and feeelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety. Cocaine related
deaths are often a result of cardiac arrest or seizures followed by respiratory arrests.[1] Double analgesic effect:
heroin reduces pain perception in brain, and crack acts as alocal anaesthetic leading to greater damage at the injection site.
Double dependence occurs because of the physical addiction to heroin, and strong mental dependence on crack with underlying
synergistic dopamine 'hook'. The chance of overdosing is doubled with the use of an opioid and cocaine together.
Both may contain bacteria and pesticides; increasing the risk of infection.[3]
Alternative Names:
Moonrocks
Snowballing
Powerballing
Kiddy-speedball
Hippie speedball
Seattle speedball
California Heart Attack
Set-Up
Speedball Cocktail
smack and crack
High Profile deaths include but are not limited to:
Hillel Slovak
Brent Mydland
John Belushi
Chris Farley
Layne Staley
River Pheonix
Mitch Hedberg
Eric Show
Zac Foley
Shannon Hoon
Tim Buckley
Jean- Michel Basquiat
Gram Parson
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Treatment for drug addiction and abuse
Twelve step programs have been helpful for millions of people to stop using drugs and
get their lives back.
Medications used for the treatment of poly drug abuse are hard to find because you need to
treat the withdrawl from a depressant and a stimulant at the same time. Buprenorphine has been shown in clinical trials
to decrease the abuse of both cocaine and heroin in poly drug abusers.
Buprenorphine is a semi-synthetic opiate with partial agonist and antagonist actions.
Another drug more commonly heard of is Suboxone, both of these medications are used for opioid addictions.
treatment agaencies should develop services for drug users with sual dependence on heroin
and crack (speedballers), and consider such options as: substitute drugs for crack and smokable prescriptions to prevent transition
to injecting.[3]
Many people who find themselves the postion of being incapable of controling their
usage of any drug find it helpful to go into treatment programs. To get ahold of a treatment program near or far from
you; google drug treatment centers.
na.org, narcotics anonymous
aa.org, alcoholics anonymous
ca.ogr, cocaine anonymous
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Refrences
1. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
NIDA Research Report-Cocaine Abuse and Addiction
Bethesda, MD: NIDA, DIH, DHHS. NIH Publication No. 99-4342. Printed May 1999.
Revised November 2004. Retrieved July 2009
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Mind over Matter:
Bethseda, MD:NIDA, NIH, DHHS,NIH, Printed 1997, Reprinted 1998 and 2000. Retrieved July 2009.
3. Drug Aid
Speedball Wake Up Call: Real Deal Speed Balling
Newcombe, DR. Published May 2007. Retrieved July 2009.
4. Combined Cocaine and Opioid Abuse:
From Neurobiology to the Clinic
(http://opioids.com/speedballs/): Rowlett, Negus, Shippenberg, Mello, Walsh, and Spealman, MD; MA, ADARC, NIH, NIDA.
Printed 1995. Retrieved July 2009.
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
NIDA Research Report- Prescription Drugs: Abuse and Addiction
Bthseda, MD:NIDA, NIH, DHHS,.NIH Publication No. 03-4394. Printed 1997. Reprinted 1998, 2000, 2003.
Retrieved July 2009.
6. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
Bethesda, MD: NIDA, NIH, DHHS, NIH Publication No. 03-3857. Printed 1997, reprinted 1998, 2000, 2003.
Retrieved July 2009.
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