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Cocaine and speedball users: differences in psychopathology.
R M Malow1, J A West, S A Corrigan
1Veterans Administration Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Compulsive speedball users, those using cocaine and opioids together, show significantly greater depression and anxiety. This drug abuse pattern is linked to severe psychopathology and maladjustment compared to cocaine-only users.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Medicine
- Clinical Psychology
Background:
- Affective distress in polysubstance abuse, specifically co-injected cocaine and opioid (speedball) use, is not well understood.
- The psychological differences between speedball users and cocaine-only users are largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare affective distress and personality characteristics between speedball and non-speedball cocaine users.
- To investigate the divergence in psychological problems between these two user groups.
Main Methods:
- Comparison of speedball and non-speedball cocaine user groups.
- Assessment using global measures of depression and anxiety.
- Evaluation of personality characteristics via MMPI modal profile groupings.
Main Results:
- Speedball users exhibited significantly higher levels of depression and trait anxiety.
- Compulsive speedball users displayed more severe psychopathology and maladjustment.
- Distinct modal MMPI profiles were observed, indicating greater psychological distress in speedball users.
Conclusions:
- Speedball use is associated with more severe affective distress and psychopathology than non-opioid cocaine use.
- Findings support existing literature describing severe pathology linked to speedball consumption.
- Clinical interventions for speedball users may need to address heightened depression, anxiety, and personality disorders.