Legacy Healing Center Blog

Quaaludes is the brand name for a sedative, which is known as the Methaqualone drug. Pharmaceutical companies first developed this drug during the 1960s. It was given to people as a non-addictive sleeping pill. It has been determined that Quaaludes can lead to addiction and cause severe depression and anxiety.

Though the Quaaludes drug has been banned in numerous markets, it can be purchased on the black market. It’s known as soapers, quacks, mandies, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, among other names. It’s important to realize that you may need addiction treatment if you take this drug for recreational use.

What are Quaaludes?

The Methaqualone drug, or Quaaludes, is a depressant that affects the central nervous system and acts as a sedative. It works as a hypnotic, which induces sleep. It became popular as a prescription for sleep in the US during the 1970s. The drug quickly developed popularity in discos, where it was hailed as a disco biscuit1.

Quaaludes act like most sedatives and bind to a GABAA receptor, but it attaches to a different sector than Valium or other sedatives. It can lower anxiety and makes you feel relaxed. The drug was labeled as a Schedule II drug but changed to a Schedule I drug in 1984, making it illegal to prescribe in the US.

Why are Quaaludes Addictive?

Quaaludes provide a euphoric effect or a “high,” which is one reason people abused them when it was legal to use. Tolerance develops quickly with this drug, which requires users to increase the dosage to experience the effects. The results begin about 30 minutes after taking it and last for up to eight hours2.

Today’s Quaaludes are often combined with other benzodiazepines or fentanyl, which are also depressants of the central nervous system. This increases the effect and can even lead to death.

What Happens When You’re on Quaaludes

When you take Quaaludes, it causes drowsiness and can make you feel sleepy. It slows your heart rate and breathing. If you overdose, the drug can lead to coma and even death.

You may experience side effects from Quaaludes drug abuse, which can include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Abdominal cramps
• Sweating
• Rashes
• Itching
• Reduced heart rate
• Slowed breathing
• Tingling sensation in the limbs
• Dry mouth
• Seizures

Signs Someone is Using Quaaludes 

Each person can react differently to the drug. They will likely be relaxed and drowsy and may even fall asleep. Their breathing and heart rate will be slower. They may even lose control of their muscles or seem confused. It’s common for someone using this drug to make bad decisions because they can’t think clearly.

A person using Quaaludes may complain of a headache or light-headedness and feel dizzy. Their speech may be slurred. They may also take higher doses to achieve the high they want. If a person stops taking the drug quickly, they can suffer other side effects, such as seizures.

If the person is taking Quaaludes mixed with other sedatives or combining them with alcohol, they are at an increased risk of an overdose. Multiple substances with sedative effects can slow your heart rate and breathing down or even cause it to stop. Short- and long-term damage can occur from hypoxia, which is the loss of oxygen to the brain3.

If you suspect someone has taken an overdose of sedatives, such as Quaaludes, and isn’t responsive, you need to call for emergency help. If they are abusing this drug, it’s important to try to get them to see their need for Quaaludes addiction treatment.

Quaaludes Drug Addiction Treatment

If you or a loved one has been abusing Quaaludes, you should seek treatment rather than trying to stop taking them on your own. Supervised detox can allow you to be monitored and ensure you are safe while you cleanse your body from the drug.

Legacy Healing Centers is an addiction treatment facility that provides a range of services to help you overcome your dependence on various drugs, including Quaaludes and alcohol addiction. The process starts with detoxing and an evaluation to create a customized treatment plan to help you overcome the addiction.

Your therapist will include individual and group therapy to help you learn how to deal with triggers that generally lead to drug use. They may also recommend hypnotherapy treatment, cognitive behavioral therapy, and other alternative treatments.

You may begin your addiction treatment with an inpatient program before transitioning to outpatient treatment. Legacy Healing Centers also provides 12-step meetings and aftercare to help you start your new life with the support you need.

How to Find Help

You don’t have to let an addition to Quaaludes or other sedatives ruin your life. You can receive the help you need from the staff at Legacy Healing Centers. 

Contact us today at 888.534.2295 to learn more about what we do and how we can help you take the first step to recovery. We are dedicated to helping you build a new drug-free life as Ladies and Gentleman helping Ladies and Gentlemen.

Sources:

1. PBS News Hour. (July 2015) What are Quaaludes and how do they work?
2. DEA (June 2020) Depressants Drug Fact Sheet.
3. NIDA (March 2018) Prescription CNS Depressants DrugFacts.