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Quaaludes (Methaqualone) Abuse, Addiction and Recovery
Quaaludes abuse and addiction continue to be ongoing problems in the United States. These drugs are a part of the Quinazolinone classification of medications. They are highly addictive, and have been popular for a number of decades.
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You may be abusing or even addicted to Quaaludes. If that’s the case, you need to know that recovery is possible for you. Getting the right Quaaludes addiction treatment can make such a difference in your life.
Whether or not you’re new to these drugs, you may not know much about them. You may know that they are sedatives, and you feel compelled to use them. However, as far as the risks and dangers go, you’re completely uninformed. It’s important for you to find out the truth. That’s what we would like to provide you with here today.
What are Quaaludes?
Quaalude is a sedative and hypnotic medication, according to Wikipedia. It has been around for several decades, and was patented by Wallace and Tiernan in 1962. In the very beginning, it was used as a treatment for insomnia. It has also been used to treat muscle spasms due to its muscle relaxing qualities.
This drug works by increasing the activity of GABA receptors in the nervous system. This results in a drop in blood pressure, pulse and breathing rates. When people take it, they experience a deep sense of relaxation.
This medication was withdrawn from the market in the United States in 1982. By 1984, it became a Schedule I drug. While Quaalude has always been thought of as an excellent sleeping medication, it created a great deal of problems.
Quaalude is actually one of the brand names for this drug. It generic name is Methaqualone. It also goes by a few other brand names, including:
- Mandrax (in the UK)
- Malsed
- Renoval
- Malsedin
- Cloroqualone
- Etaqualone
Several synthesized versions of this drug have been created over the years. Its formulation has changed somewhat, depending on the country manufacturing it. In some areas, benzodiazepines or diphenhydramine have been added to enhance its effects.
When drugs are abused, they are usually called by their street names. This particular drug has many of them, and they include:
- Ludes
- Quads
- Sopors
- Mandies
- Buttons
- Quay
- 714s (due to the 714 stamp that appears on some)
- Love Drug
- Disco Biscuits
Many of these street names make this substance appear to be harmless. However, it is anything but safe. Regardless of what it’s called, Quaaludes are very dangerous.
The History of Quaaludes and Their Rise in Popularity as a Drug of Abuse
Methaqualone was first synthesized in a lab in India in the 1950s. In its earliest days, it was used as a treatment for malaria. Its sedative properties were also recognized. As the use of Methaqualone increased, the potential for abuse and addiction also increased.
By the 1970s, this drug was extremely easy to obtain. The high wasn’t extreme, and the drug was very calming.
The practice of “luding out” became a common one; especially among young people. This involved using alcohol along with Methaqualone as a way to get high. Of course, this combination was extremely dangerous.
During the 70s, there were many different sleep aids available. However, Methaqualone topped them all. It was the one that was most prescribed, and it also had the highest rate of abuse.
The entire world was shocked when multiple women accused Bill Cosby of rape. Most people stood in disbelief as the famed and well-loved comedian fell under such intense scrutiny. Court documents alleged that he used a once-well-known medication to drug these women – Quaaludes. It was a drug that was used to create euphoria and boost sex drive, particularly in the 1970s. After it was banned, it took on cult status. Bill Cosby’s alleged crimes caused many people to remember their use of the once-legal disco drug.
As if that weren’t enough, The Wolf of Wall Street was released in 2013. This blockbuster film was set in the 1970s, and it depicted the rise of Quaaludes during that era.
These two events stirred up curiosity about the drug all over again. Fond memories arose of a time when juice bars that served no alcohol, but featured Quaaludes were popular.
Today, Quaaludes are still manufactured in some parts of the world illegally. Some people want to get their hands on them so badly that they attempt to make them themselves. Those who have used them claim that they produce high that’s unlike any other drug that ever existed.
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Read Our BlogWhy are Sopors so Dangerous?
During its peak, Sopors were often used as a recreational drug. In fact, many would say that they were used recreationally more often than by prescription. Even so, doctors prescribed them left and right. It was easy to get your hands on them.
Sopors’ high could last for as long as six hours, and they began working in 30 minutes. Many people would combine them with alcohol. When they did, they often would never wake up again. The combination was deadly.
The potential for abusing this drug is where Sopors’ dangers truly lie. In higher doses, people become extremely uncoordinated. They may experience muscle tremors, convulsions, or even fall into a coma. Any dose that’s higher than a typical sleeping dose can cause depression of the tracheo-bronchial reflexes. This means that if one were to take that much and vomit in their sleep, they could choke to death.
Make no mistake – the risks of taking this drug are simply too high. Abusing it – even one time – is extremely dangerous. This is exactly why it is no longer legal in the United States.
Many of the side effects of Mandrax are the reasons people were drawn to them in the first place. As a hypnotic drug, these effects were very desirable. The “positive” side effects of this substance include:
- Sensations of euphoria
- Extreme drowsiness
- A reduced heart rate
- Slower breathing rates
- Increased sexual arousal
- Numbness of the toes and fingers
With larger doses, these side effects are intensified. People experience:
- Feeling sensitive to light
- Painful headaches
- Slurred speech
- Respiratory depression
- Mental confusion
- The risk of seizures
During the peak of its popularity, most people didn’t know what to expect with this drug. They took it simply looking for a good time. Many people used it because it seemed as though everyone was using it. For them, the risk of the side effects was well worth the high the drug produced.
When this drug was legal, abusing it meant taking more of the drug than was prescribed. It could also mean taking it when it wasn’t prescribed for you. Today, the term Quaalude abuse takes on a very different meaning.
This drug is illegal in the United States. This means that any use of it at all is considered to be abuse. While it might not be a common drug of abuse today, make no mistake – people still use it.
Typically, people will abuse Quaaludes by taking a small dose of the drug. Even a dose that was once commonly prescribed can lead to a euphoric high. It’s a medication that was intended to put people to sleep. Staying awake on it is what creates the euphoria.
As time goes on, increasing your dose of this drug is common. There is a strong desire to see some of the more intensified effects. You may also develop a tolerance for Quaaludes. This means that the lower doses don’t work for you as well as they once did.
There are a few different ways to abuse Methaqualone. Most people will simply swallow the pills. However, as tolerance develops, this method might not be as suitable as it once was.
In order to increase the intensity of the high, other methods of abuse may be implemented. Sometimes people will crush the pills and mix them with marijuana. They will then smoke the resulting mixture to get high. Others may dissolve the pills in water or another liquid and then inject them. This method of abuse is most likely saved for those who are heavy users of the drug.
Is Methaqualone Addictive?
Yes, Methaqualone is highly addictive. This is one of the reasons why the drug was pulled from the market. The users of online drug forums like Erowid and Reddit often discuss Methaqualone with remembered fondness. They claim that the addictive potential of this drug is a cause for concern. It’s considered to be both psychologically and physically addictive at any dose over 600mg per day.
What is a Quaaludes Addiction?
Quaalude causes significant changes in the brain. It produces excess amounts of dopamine, which is a chemical the brain typically produces on its own.
Dopamine is what helps you feel happy. It’s a chemical that is produced when you have a good meal, have sex, or have other good experiences.
When someone has been abusing Quaaludes, they become incapable of producing dopamine on their own after a while. Without dopamine, they may feel depressed, anxious, or just not like themselves. This is a key sign that an addiction to this medication has occurred.
Once you’re addicted, it’s very difficult to stop using this drug. It usually requires professional help in order to recover.
There are some physical signs of addiction that you can look for if you think you’re addicted to Mandrax. You will probably notice:
- The development of a hives-like rash
- Nausea and vomiting
- Appetite loss and probably weight loss
- Sexual dysfunction in both men and women
- The possibility of memory loss
- Physical weakness
- An irregular heart rate
There are some behavioral symptoms that you can look for as well. You may:
- Become angry or irritable if you run out of the drug
- Become obsessed with thinking about Mandrax
- Lose interest in your favorite hobbies and activities
- Experience problems in your relationships
- Have legal problems related to possessing Mandrax
Any of these signs of Mandrax addiction are a cause for concern. You don’t have to have all of them in order to be an addict.
If you’re addicted to Mandrax, you need to consider getting help. If you’re still not sure, you may want to take a drug addiction quiz to get more clarity. It’s important for you to know if you’re addicted. Otherwise, you won’t be as compelled to stop using them or get help.
Addiction Facts and Statistics
Because Quaalude is a banned drug, there is limited statistical information on it. However, the National Institute on Drug Abuse has weighed in on its use among high school seniors. They state that 0.4% of 12th graders reported abusing it in the year 2012.
While Quaaludes might not be as common a drug as it once was, it’s still around. When once-popular drugs are discussed in the media, their use typically increases. This one is no exception.
Reasons to Get Help: The Short and Long-Term Effects of Ludes
The short-term effects of Ludes are actually pretty desirable. They involve the feelings of sedation and drowsiness that accompany this drug. The short-term effects are what keep people using it as they eventually become addicted.
The long-term effects of Ludes are what are most concerning. Although there are dangers with short-term use, these are multiplied the longer the drug is abused.
The long-term effects can include:
- Problems with heart function
- Motor dysfunction
- Respiratory depression
- Insomnia and other sleep problems
- An increase in anxiety
- The onset of depression
- Delirium
People may also become socially isolated from the people they love the most. They may withdraw from events and social gatherings too. As a drug that is taken to increase sociability, this one will eventually do exactly the opposite.
How do You Know if You need a Quaaludes Rehab Program?
You will need a Quaaludes treatment program if it is determined that you have an addiction. If you don’t have an addiction, and you’re only abusing the drug, that requires you take other measures.
Abusing Quaaludes doesn’t require that you go to a treatment center to get help. Instead, you should consider talking with a counselor. Someone who specializes in drug abuse and addiction will be of great benefit to you. They will help you stop using this drug altogether. You’ll also work on understanding why you felt it necessary to start abusing Quaaludes.
Please don’t let it go if you’re abusing this substance. It is a very dangerous drug.
It’s important to take the necessary steps to get treatment. Continuing to abuse it will eventually lead to an addiction. Simply stopping it if you’re an abuser, and not going to counseling could lead to continued use.
Getting Treatment for Your Addiction
If you have an addiction to Ludes, the most important thing you can do is to get treatment. A Ludes addiction treatment center will offer you the support you need during this time. You’ll learn so much about your relationship to this drug. You’ll also learn in great detail why it’s so dangerous.
The more you know about yourself and about Ludes, the better. As they say, knowledge is power.
Options for Methaqualone Treatment Centers
You have a few different options available to you for Methaqualone treatment facilities. Basically, you’ll be able to choose from inpatient and outpatient rehab programs. You’ll most likely find that one or the other will be more appropriate for you.
If you have excellent family support at home, and outpatient treatment program might be a good choice. However, sometimes people feel as though they need more support than this. If outpatient treatment is what you feel you need, an intensive outpatient treatment program might be appropriate. This would allow you to live at home and still get the help you need.
Most people find that they need inpatient treatment for a Methaqualone addiction. There are 30-day facilities and those that are more long-term. You’ll get a lot of support and help in either of these facilities. They will address both the physical and the psychological sides of your addiction.
Quitting Mandrax Cold Turkey
While it is tempting to at least try to quit on your own, cold turkey quitting should be avoided with Mandrax. Because it was once a prescribed medication, you may think of it as being safer than it is. The chances of you quitting successfully with the cold turkey method are very small. It’s more than likely that you will suffer through a relapse instead. This is due to the severity of the withdrawals that go along with the Mandrax drug.
For many drugs, the withdrawal symptoms are bothersome and enough to drive people back to using. For others, including Quaaludes, withdrawal symptoms can become dangerous.
As you are withdrawing from Quaaludes, you’re likely to experience:
- Problems sleeping at night
- A loss of appetite
- Feelings of irritability and restlessness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bouts of confusion
- Muscle spasms
However, there are several more severe withdrawal effects from Quaaludes you may experience as well. People have been known to develop high fevers. You could begin having hallucinations or delusions. You could also suffer from seizures. These could become fatal if you don’t get treated for them.
Sometimes when people relapse on drugs, they end up taking too much. They don’t account for the fact that their tolerance levels have changed. They simply take the amount of the drug that they were taking before they quit. The same is true for those who relapse on Methaqualone.
According to PBS, an overdose on Methaqualone can be fatal. There may be little to no warning symptoms other than a reduced heart rate and breathing rate. The person will become excessively drowsy, and could slip into a coma. This could result in death, and there may not be time to obtain medical help to prevent it.
Most people who decide to recover from a Quaaludes addiction will find that they need to go through detox. The right drug detox program can make such a difference in your recovery.
You won’t be able to taper down off this medication because it’s a Schedule I drug. However, you may be able to take different medications to help with your symptoms. Anticonvulsant drugs may be prescribed for you to guard against seizures. You may also take medications to help with anxiety and depression.
Detoxification is essential for anyone with this type of addiction. It helps with the physical side of the addiction, which can be incredibly powerful.
Methods of Treatment that Aid in Recovery
Once you’ve gone through detox, recovering in a Mandrax rehab program is the next step.
This is when you will address the psychological side of the addiction. This is done in a number of different ways.
You’ll find that meeting with an addiction therapist on a regular basis helps you tremendously. He or she will work with you on determining what caused your addiction. If you’re suffering from a mental health problem, such as depression or anxiety, that condition will be treated. Getting to the root cause will be so important during this time.
You’ll also receive other forms of therapy. You may be involved in a 12 Step program, or other methods of group therapy. Your family may be invited to participate in family therapy sessions as well.
If you’re looking for a Mandrax rehab center, it’s not always easy to know what to look for. You want to find an accredited facility with a smaller patient population. This will improve the quality of care you receive. You may prefer to find a facility that also offers detoxification services. For this type of drug recovery, you should choose one that has medical care available 24 hours a day. That way, you can get help in the event of a medical complication.
Going to a Quaaludes treatment center can be costly. Some people find that the costs go up to several thousand dollars for a 30-day stay. Fortunately, your health insurance will help you to cover those costs.
Because of the Affordable Care Act, health insurance companies are required to provide these benefits. Before you even begin rehab, your insurance will be verified. This will help you understand what your responsible amount is. You may find that your health insurance covers most or even all of your stay.