What Is a Speedball?

Polydrug use can put you at considerable risk for drug intoxication, a common reason for emergency hospital visits. Combined drug intoxication can be fatal and has claimed countless lives. One of the most common drug combinations that can cause combined drug intoxication is mixing cocaine, which is a stimulant, with heroin, which is a depressant. This mixture is called a speedball. Speedballing can put a user at greater risks of fatal overdose due to the severe and unpredictable impacts it has on the body.

Unfortunately, those who choose to speedball have more resistance to getting addiction treatment because of the significant changes in the body and the brain. If you or someone you love needs cocaine treatment, heroin treatment, or the combination of the two, a premier drug rehab like Bayview Recovery can help you overcome addiction. Located in Tacoma, Washington, our recovery center recognizes how personal addiction can be. Therefore, we create individualized programs that can help you on your own path to wellness and recovery. Call one of our compassionate and talented staff members at 855.478.3650 to begin taking the first steps on your unique path of healing!

The Dangers of Polydrug Abuse

Using more than one drug at a time in a single session is called polydrug use or polysubstance use. Unless your doctor has a thorough knowledge of your medical history and has approved two different prescription drugs to be used simultaneously, it is hazardous to mix drugs or drugs with alcohol. The risks of mixing drugs are dependent on the type and amounts used. Whether combining alcohol with prescription pills or mixing illicit drugs, the combination can create a new type of high for the user, amplifying both euphoric and adverse effects. Speedballing heroin and cocaine have unpredictable side effects such as:

  • Paranoia
  • Incoherence
  • Uncontrollable movements
  • Blurred vision
  • Respiratory failure
  • Stroke
  • Heart attack

With the spread of opiates such as heroin or fentanyl, the side effects that can occur from speedballing are significantly more fatal. The best way to reduce your risk of overdosing from a speedball is by seeking treatment at a professional recovery center.

Dangers of Abusing Cocaine Alone

Snorting, smoking, or injecting cocaine can result in a brief euphoric and energizing high followed by a significant low. To avoid the comedown of cocaine, users continually dose the drug to maintain their high, and for this reason, it can become highly addictive. Users often report feelings of fatigue, anxiousness, and depression when they are experiencing a comedown from cocaine.

Continually abusing cocaine comes with many adverse side effects, most notable being in the cardiovascular system, causing various issues to the heart. Habitual cocaine abuse also affects mental health. Users report long-term side effects in their behavior and mood. Professional treatment to overcome cocaine addiction is pertinent in a successful recovery.

Seek Treatment at Bayview Recovery

If you’re suffering from the effects of cocaine, heroin, or other opiates, the experts at Bayview Recovery want to help. Cocaine treatment at Bayview Recovery typically involves:

  • Support in a medically supervised detox through our detox provider
  • A rehab program that provides a safe environment to detox without the temptation to use
  • Ongoing recovery through various therapy services such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or Individual Therapy
  • Continued support through our alumni program

In recovery, people can practice relapse prevention by implementing the new tools and techniques they learned in rehab. Thousands of people who struggled with cocaine have successfully transformed their lives for the better. However, for many, the first step is attending a comprehensive drug rehab program like the one at Bayview Recovery. Recovery is possible. Bayview Recovery is here to help you every step of the way. Learn more about us online or call our staff at 855.478.3650 for any further information.

What Is a Speedball?

Polydrug use can put you at considerable risk for drug intoxication, a common reason for emergency hospital visits. Combined drug intoxication can be fatal and has claimed countless lives. One of the most common drug combinations that can cause combined drug intoxication is mixing cocaine, which is a stimulant, with heroin, which is a depressant. This mixture is called a speedball. Speedballing can put a user at greater risks of fatal overdose due to the severe and unpredictable impacts it has on the body.

Unfortunately, those who choose to speedball have more resistance to getting addiction treatment because of the significant changes in the body and the brain. If you or someone you love needs cocaine treatment, heroin treatment, or the combination of the two, a premier drug rehab like Bayview Recovery can help you overcome addiction. Located in Tacoma, Washington, our recovery center recognizes how personal addiction can be. Therefore, we create individualized programs that can help you on your own path to wellness and recovery. Call one of our compassionate and talented staff members at 855.478.3650 to begin taking the first steps on your unique path of healing!

The Dangers of Polydrug Abuse

Using more than one drug at a time in a single session is called polydrug use or polysubstance use. Unless your doctor has a thorough knowledge of your medical history and has approved two different prescription drugs to be used simultaneously, it is hazardous to mix drugs or drugs with alcohol. The risks of mixing drugs are dependent on the type and amounts used. Whether combining alcohol with prescription pills or mixing illicit drugs, the combination can create a new type of high for the user, amplifying both euphoric and adverse effects. Speedballing heroin and cocaine have unpredictable side effects such as:

  • Paranoia
  • Incoherence
  • Uncontrollable movements
  • Blurred vision
  • Respiratory failure
  • Stroke
  • Heart attack

With the spread of opiates such as heroin or fentanyl, the side effects that can occur from speedballing are significantly more fatal. The best way to reduce your risk of overdosing from a speedball is by seeking treatment at a professional recovery center.

Dangers of Abusing Cocaine Alone

Snorting, smoking, or injecting cocaine can result in a brief euphoric and energizing high followed by a significant low. To avoid the comedown of cocaine, users continually dose the drug to maintain their high, and for this reason, it can become highly addictive. Users often report feelings of fatigue, anxiousness, and depression when they are experiencing a comedown from cocaine.

Continually abusing cocaine comes with many adverse side effects, most notable being in the cardiovascular system, causing various issues to the heart. Habitual cocaine abuse also affects mental health. Users report long-term side effects in their behavior and mood. Professional treatment to overcome cocaine addiction is pertinent in a successful recovery.

Seek Treatment at Bayview Recovery

If you're suffering from the effects of cocaine, heroin, or other opiates, the experts at Bayview Recovery want to help. Cocaine treatment at Bayview Recovery typically involves:

  • Support in a medically supervised detox through our detox provider
  • A rehab program that provides a safe environment to detox without the temptation to use
  • Ongoing recovery through various therapy services such as cognitive-behavioral therapy or Individual Therapy
  • Continued support through our alumni program

In recovery, people can practice relapse prevention by implementing the new tools and techniques they learned in rehab. Thousands of people who struggled with cocaine have successfully transformed their lives for the better. However, for many, the first step is attending a comprehensive drug rehab program like the one at Bayview Recovery. Recovery is possible. Bayview Recovery is here to help you every step of the way. Learn more about us online or call our staff at 855.478.3650 for any further information.

Dave Cundiff, MD, MPHDr. Dave Cundiff, MD, MPH (Medical Reviewer)

Dave Cundiff, MD, MPH is an experienced leader in the field of Substance Use Disorder treatment. He works with patients suffering from Substance Use Disorder to evaluate their medication needs and prescribe treatments accordingly. In addition, he regularly participates in all-staff debriefing sessions involving peers, nurses, and other prescribers. He also reviews and advises on policies, procedures, and techniques for treating substance use disorder.

Bayview Recovery
Contact Bayview Recovery to join our judgement-free, uplifting and supportive recovery environment.
Scroll to Top
Skip to content