Methaqualone Street Names
Methaqualone is a sedative hypnotic drug historically used for the treatment of insomnia and anxiety. The synthetic barbiturate is an anxiolytic prescription medication that leads to drowsiness and sedation. It was first introduced as a safe method to help induce sleep, but later recognized as a highly addictive substance that could result in withdrawal. Today in most countries methaqualone is no longer in use. It has no accepted medical use and is illegal to process, manufacture and distribute. It is a very rare substance now, but can occasionally be found and confiscated coming across the boarder where it may still be legal in other countries. One of the most popular street names for methaqualone is called Disco Biscuits.
Methaqualone was one of the top selling central nervous system depressant drugs in the world in the mid 1960s. It was being prescribed under the impression that it was a non addictive medication. However, it is a very potent sedative and can be easily misused and abused. It became a popular recreational drug from the 1960s to the 1980s. After it spiked in recreational use, the DEA declared the substance illegal and added tough restrictions on the drug.
What is Methaqualone and how does it work?
Methaqualone works by specifically acting on the GABA receptors. It binds to the inhibitory neurotransmitter, which then reduces the transmission of neural impulses in the brain. When it binds to the GABA receptors in the brain, it can result in feelings of intense sedation and drowsiness. The intensity of the effects can also vary with the dose you take. A higher dose will result in more extreme sedation and side effects. The drug usually comes in tablet form with the number 714 imprinted on it.
Effects of Methaqualone
The Schedule I controlled substance acts on the central nervous system and produces depressant effects on the brain, slowed heartbeat, reduced blood pressure and relaxation of muscle movement. The drug was initially created to help promote relaxation and sleepiness. In some cases, it can cause feelings of euphoria.
Other side effects of methaqualone include drowsiness, dizziness, poor coordination, delayed reflexes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fatigue, dry mouth, tingling sensation in the arms and legs, seizures, slowed breathing, memory loss, hallucinations, slurred speech, difficulty sleeping and anxiety.
The onset of effects can take place within about 30 minutes after initial ingestion and can last anywhere from 5-8 hours. An average single dose of 300mg can have effects within 30 minutes. How long the drug stays in your system also depends on various factors. Factors such as frequency of use, dose amount, the individual user’s metabolism and body composition and the user’s age can all impact how long it takes the body to process the drug.
Methaqualone Street Names
Methaqualone became a popular recreational drug in the 1970s and 80s. Some of the popular street names for the drug include Lemons, Quads, Ludes, Flamingos, Disco Biscuits, Flowers, Quack, Bandits, Beiruts, Blou Bulle, Ewings, Flowers, Randy Mandies, Vitamin Q and Wagon Wheels.
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History of Methaqualone
Methaqualone is also known by its brand name Quaaludes. In the 1970s, it was one of the most frequently prescribed sedative medications in the US. Doctors were prescribing them to everyone, and they were very easy to access and obtain. Rampant abuse of the drug became apparent around 1973 and the DEA categorized it as a Schedule II controlled substance. In 1984, it was then moved to a Schedule I controlled substance. Today it is illegal with no current acceptable medical use in the US.
The drug was made famous again by the Bill Cosby 2005 civil lawsuit in which the actor obtained Quaaludes “with the intent on giving them to young women to have sex with.” In the high profile trial, he admitted to giving the sedative to at least one woman. In the 2013 blockbuster movie The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the movie portrayed frequent and chronic use of Quaaludes among top Wall Street brokers.
Today, methaqualone is no longer a legal drug. President Reagan signed a law in 1984 where Congress banned the domestic production of the drug and its sales as a prescription medication. Methaqualone is usually only obtained through illicit methods and on the black market.
It is still legal in some countries under a different name. The methaqualone that is sold illicitly in the US is often synthesized in illegal labs where they can contain other central nervous system depressants such as benzos or fentanyl.
Dangers and Risks of taking Methaqualone
Because of its high potency and addictive nature, methaqualone use can result in dangerous consequences. Higher doses can have side effects such as delirium, hallucinations, nausea, vomiting and respiratory depression. Users can also experience heart problems, respiratory issues, liver damage, gastrointestinal issues, a weakened immune system, cognitive deficiencies, memory loss, a reduced attention span, learning difficulties, psychosis and worsening depression and anxiety.
Methaqualone can also significantly slow down the thought process. In some cases, people can also experience a higher pain threshold, which results in people injuring themselves without even realizing it.
Tolerance, Dependence and Addiction to Methaqualone
The drug became a very popular party drug in the 1970s. People began abusing it to induce feelings of intense relaxation, sleepiness and euphoria. When recreational use of the drug took off, it was also popular to combine the drug with alcohol to further enhance the sedative effects. Taking it in combination with marijuana was also popular and increased the risks and dangers of the drug.
One of the top selling points for recreational use of the drug was its reputation for helping people to relax so they can have a freer sex experience. This made it extremely popular among students on college campuses.
Tolerance to the drug can develop quickly. Some users end up taking up to 2000mg daily in order to achieve their desired sedative effects. It is also a drug that you can easily overdose on. However, the range of overdose can vary. Because methaqualone is an illegal substance, it is synthetically made in varying strengths with varying ingredients. The actual strength and contents of the drug can be unknown, which can put users at further risk of overdose and death.
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Treatment for Substance Use Disorder
Methaqualone was a popular central nervous system sedative drug in the 1970s. The highly addictive drug was often referred to as a party drug and associated with poor cognitive decision making and motor skills. The drug works by acting on the GABA receptors, which slows down the central nervous system in the brain and results in reduced cognition, physical motor skills and even executive functions such as breathing and heart functions. Initially, the drug was thought to be a safe alternative to helping patients with insomnia and anxiety. However, it quickly turned into a recreational drug with a high potential for addiction. Behavioral treatment programs such as Hotel California by the Sea specialize in treating addiction to sedative drugs such as Quaaludes and methaqualone.
We offer treatment in all levels of care including detox, residential, PHP and IOP. We utilize evidence-proven methods such as CBT, DBT, EMDR therapy, family therapy and group therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to helping clients reach their sobriety goals and overcoming their addiction.
References:
https://www.britannica.com/science/methaqualone
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-are-quaaludes
https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-33428487
https://www.drugs.com/illicit/quaaludes.html
https://www.health-street.net/drug-tests/substances/prescription/methaqualone