Speedball is an illegal drug mixture consisting of cocaine and heroin, which is a stimulant and a depressant, respectively. Some believe that this combination of drugs with opposing effects will negate each other’s negative consequences. However, this is far from the truth. In fact, speedball has more dangerous side effects than heroin or cocaine individually.
If you happen to have an addiction to speedball, recovery is quite possible. Effective speedball addiction treatments are widely available. However, the cost of treatments are often prohibitive, and unless you have a lot of money to spare, you may not be able to afford rehab.
You might be wondering if there are such things as free rehab centers for speedball addiction, and if so, where you can find them. Read on to find out.
What is speedball and why is it more dangerous?
Speedball is a mixture of heroin and cocaine. When these two drugs are combined, the unfavorable side effects become amplified as well. It is not true that mixing a stimulant with a depressant nullifies the negative effects of each drug.
The stimulant effects of cocaine lead you to breathe faster and raise your body’s oxygen requirement. Heroin, on the other hand, reduces your respiratory rate, preventing your body from getting the extra oxygen it requires. As a result, your lungs, heart, and brain will be stressed. If your body needs extra oxygen but cannot get it because your breathing is slowed down, your body will get fatigued rather quickly. The lack of oxygen may soon cause your brain to shut down, and later on, it may be fatal if not treated.
The fact that heroin’s effects wear off faster than cocaine adds to the danger. Some users may prefer to inject speedball more frequently than they would heroin or cocaine to maintain their high. If you do this, you become more prone to dangerous overdoses. If you are not careful, overdose can turn fatal as well.
What is the usual cost of speedball addiction treatment?
Normally, drug rehab costs can run into hundreds of thousands of dollars for the entire course. This includes detox, medications, behavioral therapies, and admission into a residential rehab facility if needed.
Here are the average costs of the major components of treatment:
- Detox: $1,000 to $1,500
- Inpatient rehab: $12,000 to $60,000 for 60 to 90 days
- Outpatient rehab: $5,000 for 3 months
- Medications: depends on the kinds of medicines needed; can reach $5,000 per year
What if I cannot pay for speedball addiction treatment?
Unless you have plenty of money, funding your treatment out of your own pocket is never an easy task. If you have private health insurance, the costs can go down, but you may still have to pay for some parts of treatment that are not covered by your insurance plan. If you qualify for Medicaid or Medicare, they can offset the costs as well, but again, not every aspect of treatment may be covered.
But if your budget is extra tight, and you cannot afford to shell out money for drug rehab, then free or low-income rehab centers are your best options.
One important thing to note is that not everyone may qualify to enroll in a free drug rehab center. Check with the eligibility criteria first to know if you are qualified.
How will I know if I am qualified for free drug rehab?
Different free drug rehab providers have varying eligibility requirements. For some, like religious organizations, anyone can enroll in their rehab programs. Those run by other non-profit institutions may offer treatment programs either for free or at significantly reduced costs. Some nonprofits give out scholarships so you can enroll in their partner rehab providers.
Other free rehab centers are government sponsored but have strict selection processes. Among others, you must meet the following criteria to be eligible for their free rehab programs:
- You must be a US citizen
- You must not have any private health insurance
- You must be a bona fide resident of a US state
- Your income must not be above a certain limit
- You must have a substance abuse problem
Depending on the state you live in, there may be additional eligibility requirements to meet. Check with your local government to find out more about those criteria and whether or not you qualify.
How can I find a free rehab center?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) is a good place to start. In the SAMHSA website, you will find a search tool that will lead you to free rehab centers near you based on your address. The search tool includes filters to help you find the best rehab center for your needs.
SAMHSA also maintains a database of Single State Agencies (SSAs) for substance abuse treatment services. This database will make it easier for you to find whom to contact for more information on how to get free drug rehab in your state.
The official website of your state’s government can also give you information on mental health and substance abuse services, including free rehab programs, available in your area.
What can I expect in a free drug rehab program?
Free drug rehabs, similar to paid programs, can either have outpatient or inpatient settings. It mostly depends on who provides the free rehab programs and how much funding is at their disposal. The more funds they have, the better their services will be. Organizations with high budgets can afford to give you intensive inpatient rehab programs free of charge.
If a free rehab center is state-funded, all aspects of addiction treatment are often included. But they may not be able to offer the latest treatment technologies or the perks and amenities available in private rehab centers. Despite these limitations, state-funded rehabs can still effectively help you recover well enough. Some even offer support programs after your formal treatment is done.