What is Speedballing?

Speedballing is when someone mixes a stimulant like cocaine with a depressant like heroin. While it might sound like this combination creates a balance, it actually makes the risk of overdose much higher. This combination can cause increased heart rate, heart attack, and dangerously slowed breathing. 

If you or someone you care about is using drugs in this way, it’s a good idea to seek professional help. Pride Detox LGBTQ addiction treatment programs can provide the care needed to break free from this dangerous cycle.

Where Did Speedballing Come From?

Speedballing goes as far back as the early 1900s. This way of using drugs began underground. It was mostly considered a means to chase a “perfect high”—one that felt energetic but, at the same time, relaxed. The idea was to smooth out the jittery edge of drugs like cocaine with the calming effects of heroin or other opioids. But what seemed like a clever mix turned out to be dangerously unpredictable. That “best of both worlds” quickly became a risky game with serious, often deadly, consequences.

What Does Speedballing Feel Like?

A speedball gives your body a push-and-pull effect. When you inject heroin and cocaine together, your body tries to handle two very different reactions at once. The cocaine ramps your system up, making your body need more oxygen to keep up with the boost of energy. Meanwhile, the heroin slows down your breathing shallowly, which puts extra stress on your lungs, heart, and brain. It’s like your body’s caught in the middle, its processes are amped up and turned down at the same time. It’s such a dangerous blend that disrupts your natural rhythms.

What Drugs Do People Take Together to Make a Speedball?

While heroin and cocaine are the most common combo for speedballing, people sometimes mix other stimulants and depressants to get the same effect.

Stimulants that might be used in a speedball include:

• Methamphetamine
• Ecstasy/MDMA
• Adderall

Depressants commonly mixed in are:

• Fentanyl
• Prescription opioids (like morphine, oxycodone, codeine)
• Benzodiazepines 

Why Speedballing Is So Unpredictable

One of the scariest things about speedballing is how unpredictable it is. Street drugs aren’t regulated, so you never really know how strong they are or what’s actually in them. Even if someone thinks they’re using the same amount they used last time, the effects can hit totally differently—sometimes much more intense. That kind of guesswork can push people way past their limits without realizing it, making overdose way more likely.

Overdosing on a Speedball

Because cocaine's effects wear off faster than heroin's, users tend to inject cocaine more frequently to keep the stimulant's effects going. This translates to higher doses than if they were using heroin and cocaine separately, which leads to a higher risk of overdose.

Speedballing can cause people to have heart attacks, strokes, aneurysms, and other medical emergencies. The effects of abusing these drugs are also long-lasting.

It can be tough to tell if someone is just high or overdosing, and the line between the two can be crossed quickly. If you're unsure, it's always better to be safe and call for medical help right away.

How is Speedball Addiction Treated?

When it comes to treating speedball addiction, a mix of approaches is usually needed to address both the physical and mental aspects.

Medical Detoxification

The first phase of treating a speedball addiction is medical detox. Here, experts help you safely remove both drugs from your body. Supervised detoxification helps ease the toughest part of the recovery process, reducing immediate risks like heart attacks and breathing difficulties. While you undergo this process, you get healthcare professionals to monitor vital signs and take measures to ensure withdrawal is more comfortable. 

Residential Rehabilitation

Inpatient treatment gives people a safe, structured environment where they can focus on recovery. Here, individuals receive 24/7 care, therapy, and support while being removed from situations that might trigger relapse. Given how intense speedball addiction can be, inpatient care offers the best chance for lasting recovery.

Behavioral Therapies

Therapy plays a big role in recovery. Especially when it comes to the social and psychological element of addiction. Approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy help people notice the links between their thoughts and their dependency on acts like speedballing. It’s about recognizing those patterns that quietly push you toward using them. We also use Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), which gives people tools to handle tough emotions without reaching for a high. Together, these therapies help tackle both the stimulant and depressant sides of speedball addiction.

Support Groups

12-step programs offer a space for people to share their addiction struggles and support one another. Pride Detox also presents the opportunity for LGBTQ people to meet other members of the community who are on a recovery journey. These groups help people stay on track with their recovery even after treatment ends.

Reach Out to Pride Detox in Long Beach, CA 

At Pride Detox, we offer a range of personalized addiction treatments for LGBTQ people. Our Long Beach facility is an inclusive and welcoming space where you can break free from the hold of substance abuse and lead a more fulfilling life.

If you want more information about our programs and services, feel free to give us a call today on 1-562-554-5375. We're glad to help.