What Is a Speedball and Why Is It Dangerous?

In 2022, there were 241 deaths associated with cocaine in Tampa, Florida. Another 32 deaths were associated with heroin. These substances are deadly enough on their own, but what happens when they’re combined? Do you know what the combination is called? If you or your loved one is consuming these substances, you need to know the risks.

At Real Recovery Solutions, we understand the dangers of polysubstance use disorders, and we know that one death from substance use in our community is one too many. That’s why we’re committed to providing you with the support you need to heal from substance use disorders (SUDs). We provide care starting with inpatient treatment and going all the way through a year of sober living. But our care doesn’t stop there. You will also have a case worker who will connect you with SNAP benefits, gym memberships, ongoing education, job opportunities, and more.

Now, we’ll answer the trending question: What is a speedball?

What Is a Speedball?

The term “speedball” refers to a combination of opioids and stimulants used for recreational purposes. Usually, a speedball is a combination of cocaine (a stimulant) and heroin (an opioid). Sometimes other substances are used to make a speedball—for example, methamphetamines as the stimulant portion and pharmaceutical painkillers for the opioids.

Speedballs are not necessarily sold as one individual product. Instead, cocaine and heroin are purchased together to be combined and taken simultaneously. Some people also consume other substances as part of a speedball, like alcohol or marijuana.

The combination of opioids and stimulants creates an intense high. The euphoric effects of stimulants are offset by the depressant qualities of opioids. It’s a common misconception that combining the substances will mitigate the worst side effects of both substances. The idea is that heroin will reduce the agitation associated with cocaine, while cocaine will reduce the sedative effects of heroin.

Unfortunately, the truth isn’t that simple. When heroin and cocaine are combined, they mask many overdose symptoms, which makes them a lethal cocktail.

Common Effects of Speedballs

Heroin and other opioids slow down the central nervous system. Common short-term side effects of heroin include:

• Brain fog
• Nodding in and out of consciousness
• Drowsiness
• Slowed heart rate
• Shallow breathing
• Dizziness

Cocaine and similar stimulants have the opposite effect, speeding the central nervous system up. Some side effects of cocaine include:

• Heightened sensitivity to different sensory input
• Hypertension
• Anxiety or paranoia
• Irregular heartbeat
• Intense Sweating

When taking the two substances together, the stimulant and sedative effects interact. As stated above, this increases the risk of an overdose. It also puts a strain on many other parts of the body and their functions.

Factors That Influence How Speedballing Impacts the User

Several factors impact how long and how strongly you’ll feel the immediate effects of a speedball. The biggest factor is how often you use either heroin or cocaine. As with any substance, your body builds up a tolerance. The more you use a substance, the more of it you’ll need for your body to feel the same effects. So, if your body is used to cocaine, you’ll feel the effects of heroin more strongly when you take a speedball. If you take heroin more regularly, you’ll feel more of the effects of cocaine. Adding additional substances like marijuana or alcohol would also alter the effects of a speedball by further masking side effects.

Your body also plays a major factor in how you react to speedballs. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, like heart disease, you’re at higher risk for adverse side effects. Many people with SUDs begin their substance use in an attempt to self-medicate for mental health reasons. Mental health conditions, stress, and trauma can all impact your psychological reaction to substances.

What Are the Risks Associated With Speedballs?

Speedballs are known for creating an intense sense of euphoria. The stimulant effects caused by cocaine extend the usually quick but intense feelings of elation associated with heroin. On a chemical level, this intense euphoria is associated with lots of dopamine, which activates the brain’s reward center. Because of the way the brain’s reward center is activated, speedballing increases the risk of co-occurring SUDs involving both heroin and cocaine. 

Despite the elated feeling they cause, speedballs have an extremely negative impact on the body.

Long-Term Effects of Speedball Use

The most common way to consume speedballs is via injection directly into the bloodstream. Using a clean needle is very important when injecting any substance into the body. If a needle has already been used, it can result in the transfer of bloodborne infections, like hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. You could also end up with a bacterial or fungal infection located at the injection site. In rare cases, needles can break off and become lodged under the skin. If intravenous substance use continues long enough, it can result in scarring at the injection site or vein collapse.

Other consumption methods also lead to long-term damage. Heroin and cocaine can each be snorted and ingested as well. Over time, snorting causes damage to the nasal canal. This can ultimately result in nasal collapse, which requires surgery to repair. Long-term oral ingestion of either substance results in health issues in the mouth, including damage to the gums and tooth decay.

Regardless of the method you use when speedballing, the practice impacts your organs in countless ways. For example, it causes cell death in the brain, which leads to cognitive impairment, memory issues, and even an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. Damage to the liver and kidneys is also common and can decrease their ability to rid the body of waste. You also run the risk of developing ulcers throughout your digestive tract.

Both cocaine and heroin are very hard on the heart. Cocaine causes the heart to beat erratically, which leads to damage. Heroin slows the heart, which makes it difficult for the muscles to pump blood throughout the body. Together, these are very harmful to the body long-term. Speedballs can lead to reduced blood flow and oxygen throughout the body. As a result, tissue is damaged and eventually dies. Tissue death, also known as necrosis, can lead to organ ruptures, infections, and other life-threatening health conditions.

The Danger of Speedballs and Overdose

You always risk overdosing with illicit substances, but the risk of overdosing with speedballs is higher than with cocaine or heroin alone. Since the two mask each other’s effects, many people take higher doses when speedballing. If you do this, you may not even feel an overdose approaching until it is too late.

An overdose is not something you can handle alone. If you or someone you know experiences an overdose while on this combination of substances, you need to get medical attention immediately.

Because the effects of cocaine do not last as long as the effects of heroin, the symptoms of an opioid overdose can hit suddenly when cocaine wears off. Drugs like Naloxone can reverse the effects of a heroin overdose. Unfortunately, there is no similar over-the-counter medication to treat a cocaine overdose.

Getting Help for Drug Addiction in Tampa Bay, Florida

Having one illegal substance in your system at a time is dangerous. With two, you’re putting yourself at even greater risk. If you’ve tried to quit on your own and can’t, heroin rehab is right for you.

In a good rehabilitation program, you’ll get the opportunity to work through the underlying causes of your SUD in therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) will empower you to work one-on-one with a therapist. You’ll learn to identify your unhelpful thought patterns and how they relate to your feelings and behaviors. Together, the two of you will come up with healthy, sustainable coping mechanisms. In group therapy, you’ll get to connect with other people going through similar experiences. You’ll learn from each other and grow together as a group.

If you’re looking to be part of a community of people who are all working toward recovery, a sober living facility could be a good fit for you. In sober living, you and your housemates will live together, support one another, and strive to reach your full potential.

Real Recovery Solutions is Florida’s largest sober living network. We provide treatment and long-term housing for people in recovery from substance use disorders. Not only that, but we also offer case management services to set you up for success. Ready to get started? Give us a call at 813-373-6762 today.

Real people. Real solutions. Real results.