Polydrug Use: What Happens When You Mix Cocaine with Heroin?

Polydrug

Cocaine and heroin are among the most potent and extensively used illicit drugs in the world with deeply addictive and destructive potential. When we think of these drugs, we usually think of individuals having either cocaine or heroin addiction, whereas in reality the practice of taking more than one substance at the same time – known as polydrug use – is on the rise.

Individuals typically start polydrug use by combining substances to enhance the effects of one or both of them. A very common combination of drugs in polydrug use is cocaine and heroin and in fact, the practice has become so widespread that it now has its own street name: “speedballing.” When speedballing, polydrug users take heroin to extend and enhance cocaine’s short-term effects to avoid the crashing come down, essentially by replacing it with opiate-induced euphoria.

The Health Risks of Speed Balling with Cocaine and Heroin:

Although the effects of speedballing are extremely pleasurable and compelling to users, it is incredibly dangerous. Both heroin and cocaine have significant health risks separately but when used in combination and injected at the same time, these risks are heightened considerably. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and depending on the US state studied, around 36.9% to 98.9% of heroin-related deaths involve other substances.

There are few activities in life that have the potential to be more deadly than speedballing and yet it is now a significant issue. Young people experimenting with substances are increasingly being encouraged to participate in speedballing without being fully aware of the risks.

Let’s take a look at the differences between cocaine and heroin when used on their own:

Heroin:

Heroin is made from an extract of the opium poppy and it has been used for hundreds of years as pain relief for significant trauma. The way heroin works are by flooding the brain with euphoria-creating dopamine so as to “trick” the mind into ignoring pain signals from other parts of the body. The euphoria created by heroin is considered the reason it is highly addictive, as it immobilizes the body in the most pleasant way so that the only thing a user can do is lay back and enjoy the feeling.

One of the most common ways people develop heroin addiction is by becoming tolerant to its effects, which can happen very quickly after they start using the drug. When the euphoria they seek starts to wane when taking their usual amount of the drug, they will simply up the dose. After a very short while of this addictive behavior, the body will start to develop cravings for heroin every time the user comes down from their high. Some of the withdrawal symptoms emerging if cravings for heroin are not satisfied can be extremely unpleasant and so more of the drug is needed to make them go away.

Cocaine:

The kind of high cocaine creates depends on the way it’s taken, which is generally by snorting or injecting. The effects of cocaine are generally short-term, lasting around 40 minutes and they are quite opposite to those of heroin. Cocaine is a stimulant that makes users feel a rush of energy, often making them the life and soul of the party. Whereas heroin immobilizes, cocaine stimulates and while on a high from the drug, users tend to talk at a fast pace, enjoying everything around them in an animated way.

Cocaine is equally as addictive as heroin although it has a very different kind of appeal. Some people become socially dependent on the drug before going on to developing an addiction, using cocaine as a prop to boost confidence. However, as with heroin, cocaine has a negative impact on the brain’s function, which can introduce extra challenges for people seeking to overcome cocaine addiction in heroin and cocaine addiction treatment.

The risks caused by speedballing with cocaine and heroin include the following:

  • Whereas heroin stimulates the brain’s production of endorphins, cocaine prevents them from being reabsorbed naturally. This eventually erodes an individual’s ability to enjoy the simplest pleasures in life unless substance abuse is involved.
  • Cocaine is the only drug with the potential to hyper-stimulate the body to the point where the user suffers a stroke. When used in combination in heroin, it is not possible to detect that this is happening and there is a risk of suffering a stroke without any warning and possible death.
  • The effects of cocaine do not last for as long as heroin and so speedballers tend to use more cocaine to prolong their high. This is incredibly dangerous and places the individual at risk of a fatal heart attack.
  • Heroin has a powerful effect on the central nervous system, slowing down its functions when a person is under influence including the heartbeat and breathing. If there is not enough oxygen reaching the brain because a person’s breathing has become shallow after taking heroin, there is a high risk of brain damage or death.
  • Because cocaine is a stimulant, it reduces some of the effects of heroin if taken at the same time. This can mask the warning signs of heroin overdose which include: confusion, dizziness, slurred speech, body limpness, and unconsciousness.

Cocaine and Heroin Addiction Treatment for Speed Balling:

Addiction is an illness that can be treated so that individuals can move on from substance abuse and enjoy a life in sobriety. Although challenging, the path through detox, rehab, and recovery on a cocaine or heroin addiction treatment program introduces individuals to a world outside of substance use, motivating them to make the necessary changes to overcome their illness.

Because of the potency of heroin and cocaine independently, people speedballing face significantly more risks from substance abuse than those abusing one type of drug. The effects on a person’s personality, behavior, and psychological state can be extended with both substances which is why holistic therapies such as those offered at the best heroin and cocaine addiction treatment centers are now commonly available as a cocaine and heroin addiction treatment approach. Through learning skills such as meditation and yoga or becoming physically fit through a structured exercise regime, individuals can move on from the difficulties in their lives cause by heroin and cocaine addiction.

Read Also:

Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.

View all posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related

slider-img

Bed Time Yoga to Sleep Well

Sleep is one of the most precious activities and also the most awaited part of the day, especially if your life moves like the hands of the clock. Yoga lovers will often find themselves practicing a few poses by just moving their legs while they are reading a book before switching off the bed side lamp. The ingrained mindset that yoga relaxes the body is so filled in us, that our body automatically starts working to overcome blockages in the body. Bedtime yoga can make life simpler and leave you fresh and more charged up for the next day.     Read More: Follow These 5 Yoga Poses to Reduce Stubborn Belly Fat When you combine two relaxing activities together, yoga and sleeping, the results are only going to be a relaxed mood and an effortlessly smooth day. Bid farewell to backache, sleeplessness and negative thoughts with these poses: Bend Knee Spinal Twists  A great way to ease out any discomfort in the spine, legs and back, this stretching exercise, where you hug and bend your right knee to the left side and vice-a-versa, is a great way to kick start your bedtime yoga routine. All you have to do is stay on each side for 5 to 7 breaths and repeat 2-3 times depending on what your body is telling you and feel the benefit enfold soon enough. Happy baby pose  A hip opener, the pose creates space for back and works on the sacroiliac joints as well, a common cause of discomfort in most of the people in sedentary jobs. Bend both your knees and flex the foot to face the ceiling. Bring it closer to the chest and hold each big toe with the relative hand and stay in the pose for 5 to 7 breaths. Child’s pose A semi inverted pose, it relieves the practitioner of any form of back pain apart from bringing blood flow to the face and removing stress and anxiety. The pose works invariably in any routine, at any time to remove unwanted stress. Knee Hugs  An extremely relaxing pose, it is also known as wind releasing pose as it removes any extra gas in the body, which might become a hindrance in a good night’s sleep. Also, it presses the entire back making it easier for the practitioner to remove any form of discomfort from the back region. Hamstring stretch  A simple pose, it works on the entire lower body and also removes tension and fatigue from the back. Simply extend one leg to the ceiling and bring it closer to the chest. Grab the back leg with both hands or if advanced practitioner, you can hold the big toe with relative hand, keep the other legs straight or bend as your body allows. Stay here for a few breaths and change to another side. Corpse pose  This pose can be practiced at the end of the routine when the practitioner is deciding to call it a day. A relaxing pose, you can even meditate during this pose and gently dose of to sleeping. It is a great way to recharge your body and make it a routine to practice Savasana before sleeping, great benefits enfold when you practice this pose. The practice of these poses leads to long-term respite from many issues faced by the modern man. Manmohan is a yoga enthusiast, free spirit, traveler and freelance writer from Rishikesh. He run yoga teacher training school in India, Nepal, Thailand and various other countries, where yoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and spirituality is taught under the expert guidance of traditional and authentic yoga instructors. Read More:  The Importance Of Sport To Recommendations For Winter Crucial Tips To Getting A Flat Stomach 5 Common Weightlifting Mistakes Women Should Avoid Go Trampolining To Have Fun And Maintain Your Fitness

READ MOREDetails
Dentist

Finding A Leading Melbourne Dentist For The Perfect Smile

Visits to the dentist can seem daunting, especially if since childhood you have had your friends tell horror stories from their appointments (most of which are undoubtedly either untrue or severely exaggerated) and so you have been putting off visiting for years. The problem with this though is that it is only to your detriment and regular visits to the dentist for hygiene check-ups and treatments are necessary for keeping your teeth and gums healthy. Many people feel that they haven’t had any serious teeth issues up until now so why try to fix something that isn’t broken, and you can see here it https://www.quora.com/Why-do-we-need-regular-dental-visits for others who feel this way or have an opinion on the topic, but does that make them right? We will be looking at the importance of oral health and how to go about finding the right fit in a dental clinic to get you that perfect smile you see in magazines. You may have landed a new job or been given that promotion you have been working so hard towards and with this comes more meetings and face-to-face appointments, hence the concern of looking into your dental condition. The last thing you need is for your employees or clients to be focused on stained, unsightly teeth rather than the services being offered, and then still trying to get them to sign up for your services. The time to act is now, you have a bump in salary, more people will begin to recognize you as a top-level manager, let’s give them a smile to match that personality, am I right? Dental check-up The first things you need to consider are your goals, what are you looking to achieve at the dentist. Is it more about the upkeep of general oral health and hygiene, or are you taking your smile to the next stage with a more uniform and aesthetically appealing appearance? Do you want your teeth whitened, or perhaps you have minor gaps that need filling, irrespective of your choice the main objective is having work done by a professional and reputable dental clinic that makes you feel comfortable and at ease? The last thing we need is to have an experience that plays out your childhood fears. Reputation goes a long way and clinics such as The Dental Room understand that patients may be nervous and will do their utmost to help you feel calm and relaxed. You want a dentist who explains the processes you are considering, answers questions happily and without hesitation giving you the confidence that you are in safe and capable hands. What to look for in a dentist Meeting new people can make some of us feel anxious, and when that person has to look into your mouth it is even more overwhelming. Unfortunately, it has to be done so finding the right fit is essential for a good experience. What makes for a good dentist? Is it whether they themselves have a good set of teeth, or their staff, their manner in the room, or how they make you feel? Let’s see some of the more common features patients consider essential in a good dentist, the dental atmosphere, and overall experience. This is important because treatments can get expensive, even more so if you are looking at cosmetic and specialized dental services and procedures. Ask the various clinics you have narrowed down your choice to for visiting if they accept your insurer before making any appointments. It isn’t a priority point but it has been mentioned a lot, and that is the appointment times. Ask the receptionists when you phone how long the average appointment is, not only do you not want to be sitting in a waiting room for hours (life is busy enough as it is) but why are the consultations taking so long if they seem abnormally long. Of course, there is a long list of features and traits people consider necessary or more important than others, some of which you can read about in this link to look further into it, but a general idea is a good starting point and you can build from there to suit your lifestyle or family. Do they offer the treatment you want, is the dentist on-site if it is more of a specific procedure, or do they cover general services and have had some experience in the field of treatment you want. Before signing up check if they treat all ages, or are they more tailored to just adults or just children. You ideally want a dentist that can see and treat everyone in one visit to save time and trips back and forth. Hygiene importance We may brush our teeth twice a day and think that it’s enough, but there is so much more to keep up with our teeth and mouth hygiene. The mouth is essentially the gateway to the body, everything passes through the mouth cavity and into the internal workings of the body, so we need to ensure it is a clean passage. Early signs of illness and disease are easily detected from symptoms in the mouth and can be discovered early on and treated if you maintain regular visits to the dentist. Your physician will advise and guide you on how to prevent or treat any tooth issues, this keeps them strong and in most cases prevents tooth loss. Related Reads: Effective Brushing Procedure And if you are a regular dentist enthusiast and looking simply to create a more aesthetically appealing smile then you can chat to your dentist about it, he may be able to perform the procedure himself or will certainly be able to recommend where to go or what your best options are. The days of being afraid of the dentist are long gone, teach your children from early on to visit the dentist and keep up with the dental routine and those myths and stories will soon be a thing of the past. Read Also: Everything You Need To Know About Calcium In Water: By Experts What Is A Good Alternative To Wearing Dentures? At Home or At the Dental Clinic: What Canadians Should Know About Teeth Whitening

READ MOREDetails
Occupational Therapy

Empowering Lives With Occupational Therapy: How NDIS Makes A Difference

Occupational therapy (OT) can be an empowering practice that helps individuals overcome potential barriers and experience the joys of daily life more fully. A significant contributor in this area has been the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), which has transformed numerous lives by providing financial resources needed for personalised therapeutic care - thus mainstreaming occupational therapy services into society. Unveiling The Role Of Occupational Therapy What Is Occupational Therapy? Occupational therapy (OT) is a health profession dedicated to helping individuals of all ages maintain, improve or regain the skills needed for daily living and working activities. These may range from physical activities like dressing and cooking to cognitive functions like problem-solving or maintaining focus; ultimately, OT encourages individuals to live independent and fulfilling lives. Why Is OT Important? Occupational therapy's significance lies in its broad scope. For individuals living with disabilities, illness, or injury, occupational therapy provides a way to regain lost abilities and regain autonomy. Still, more broadly speaking, it is a preventative practice promoting healthier lifestyle choices for a better tomorrow. OT's Impact On Different Age Groups OT's effects are profound, touching all age demographics. Children rely on occupational therapy for development milestones; adults use it to ease back to work after injury, while seniors depend on it to maintain independence by equipping themselves with skills needed to complete daily activities safely. NDIS And Its Revolutionary Impact An Overview Of NDIS The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is an innovative initiative to support Australians with disabilities. It provides individuals with financial resources so they may access personalised support and services - including occupational therapy - in an individualised fashion. NDIS's Role In Promoting OT NDIS has been essential in expanding occupational therapy (OT) access. By funding its services, NDIS ensures that individuals of any financial status may take advantage of its therapeutic offerings. How NDIS Changes Lives With OT NDIS has brought occupational therapy (OT) into many households and improved lives. It has helped individuals recover following injuries more rapidly, enabled children with disabilities to reach their full potential, and helped adults and the elderly maintain independence. Exploring NDIS And OT Success Stories Recovering From Injury With OT And NDIS NDIS has immensely contributed to helping individuals heal from injuries by funding occupational therapy - allowing them to regain their abilities and return to daily living routines. Not only does OT address physical healing, but it also addresses emotional and psychological aspects leading to holistic healing. Assisting Children's Development Children with disabilities often face developmental obstacles that impede their growth. But thanks to the NDIS funding Occupational Therapy services, these children can receive tailored support that helps them overcome them. Through engaging and playful methods, OT helps these kids reach developmental milestones while building confidence and encouraging independence. Promoting Independence In Adults And The Elderly Independence is essential in adult and elderly life. Thanks to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), funding occupational therapy services designed to enhance and preserve freedom has revolutionised adult and elderly life. Occupational therapy services provided under NDIS have significantly contributed to a higher quality of life for its recipients, from refining motor skills and improving mobility to cognitive exercises to maintain mental acuity. The Future Of NDIS And OT Ongoing Research And Development NDIS and occupational therapy (OT) have an unbreakable bond, set to deepen with ongoing research and advancements in both fields. As we gain greater insight into disability impacts and manifestations, OT techniques continue to develop with NDIS' support, ensuring those in need can access these new approaches. Broadening Accessibility And Reach NDIS continues to work toward expanding access to occupational therapy (OT) services for individuals living in remote locations. Teletherapy plays an integral part by providing remote consultations and therapy sessions. Continuing To Empower Lives NDIS and occupational therapy have already transformed countless lives and will do so in the future. Every success story is evidence of occupational therapy's transformative power as an enabler and NDIS' enabling role. Conclusion: Empowering lives requires more than simply providing care; it means changing societal perceptions of disability, promoting inclusivity and accepting diversity. OT and NDIS play critical roles in this transformation by changing individual lives and creating a more compassionate society. NDIS provides much more than funding: its steadfast support of occupational therapy stands as a beacon of hope to individuals with disabilities and their families, evidence of society's progress towards inclusiveness, and recognition of occupational therapy's life-altering power. Read Also : How To Stay Healthy And Fit Despite A Hectic Schedule Important Habits To Protect Your Ear Health And Hearing Must-Have Appliances For A Healthier Life

READ MOREDetails