Quaaludes are an illegal drug that was originally created to help people with sleep disorders. It produces relaxation, drowsiness, and euphoria, is highly addictive, and comes with severe risks of abuse. While Quaaludes are not as popular as they were in the past, they are still in use today and require extensive therapy to treat the physical and psychological symptoms that are associated with them.
The Ranch TN is a fully accredited addiction treatment center located in Tennessee and supports those with a substance use disorder. Our substance abuse treatment program near Nashville can build a program that includes behavioral and holistic therapies and medication to ease any withdrawals, cravings, and other symptoms. We will sit down with you and uncover the original reasons behind the abuse and develop healthy new coping skills to help you manage symptoms and triggers more effectively.
What Are Quaaludes?
Quaaludes are a type of synthetic, barbiturate-like central nervous system depressant that became popular in the 1970s and 80s and became illegal in the U.S. after it was realized how addictive Quaaludes are. The generic name for this drug is methaqualone, and it was first created in the 1950s in India.
Methaqualone is an anxiolytic that can reduce anxiety symptoms and create a state of relaxation and drowsiness. It can also cause euphoria as well as:
- A greater sense of well-being
- Increased tactile sensitivity
- Lowered sexual inhibitions
- Impaired judgment
- Numbness or tingling
Quaaludes have the number 714 imprinted on the pills, making them easily recognizable. A typical dosage of Quaaludes ranged from 75mg to 150 mg for light sedation. Dosages of 300-600mg were used to treat those with strong sleep disorders.
The Side Effects of Quaaludes
Today, no one in the U.S. legitimately manufactures Quaaludes but they are still available. If you think a friend or loved one is abusing Quaaludes, they can cause a number of side effects that can be very dangerous if the abuse continues. Some of the side effects of Quaaludes include:
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramps
- Fatigue
- Itchy skin
- Rash
- Dry mouth
- Seizures
- Slow heart rate and breathing
If you try to stop taking Quaaludes, it can create withdrawals and cravings that will persist for several days until your body has time to cleanse itself from the drug. It can cause barbiturate-like withdrawal symptoms that include restlessness, irritability, muscle weakness, and headaches. Other Quaalude withdrawal symptoms include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Mental confusion
- Seizures
Quaaludes can also cause erectile dysfunction in men and make achieving an orgasm very difficult.
Quaalude Overdose Risks
Quaaludes do come with a serious risk of overdose, coma, and death if you take a high enough dose. The risk of an overdose increases dramatically if you take Quaaludes with alcohol, cannabis, or other recreational drugs. Other factors that contribute to the risk of overdose include:
- Impurity levels of the drug
- Combining Quaaludes with alcohol, opioids, or other depressants
- Having a high tolerance to Quaaludes
- Cravings for more Quaaludes
If you or someone you love is abusing Quaaludes and you want to help, encourage them to enroll in an addiction treatment program.
The Ranch TN: Enroll in Substance Abuse Treatment in Nashville Today
The Ranch TN is a full-service addiction treatment center that welcomes Nashville residents who are struggling with an addiction to Quaaludes, prescription opioids, or other addictive substances. When you come to us for support, we will create a tailor-made program that treats your unique symptoms, triggers, and reasons behind the abuse. Treatment programs include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), along with medication to ease any withdrawals, cravings, and other disruptive symptoms.
For more information about treating Quaalude abuse and how we can stop it, help is available now. Call 1.844.876.7680 today or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation and tour of our discreet location.
