What Is Polysubstance Abuse?

At the Atlantic Recovery Center in Florida, we often have clients who use more than one type of drug. What is polysubstance abuse? It includes any illicit drugs that you take together or with alcohol. This often includes several drugs taken within hours of one another.

The more drugs you combine, the harder you make it for medical professionals to treat you in the event of a life-threatening reaction. Your risks increase depending on what substances you mix and how much you take. Combining drugs may amplify the effects of both drugs or cancel them out. Consequently, you may take more to obtain the same effect, which can lead to an overdose.

For example, mixing cocaine and ecstasy can increase the euphoric feeling imparted by stimulants, but it can also give you a heart attack. In fact, polydrug use often leads to the emergency room.

Side Effects of Polysubstance Abuse

What is polysubstance abuse when it comes to the side effects of multiple drugs in your body.

Possible side effects include the following:

Brain damage
Coma
Stomach bleeding
Respiratory failure
Heart problems
Liver failure
Seizures
Heatstroke

Mixing drugs drains the chemicals in the brain responsible for feeling calm and good. You can develop anxiety and depression when not under the influence of drugs. This complicates treatment for these conditions if you already have them.

Our dual diagnosis treatment program tackles drug and alcohol addiction as well as co-occurring mental disorders.

Common Drug Combinations

What is polysubstance abuse in terms of different drugs combined?

Those with substance abuse disorders often combine the following drug:

Cocaine: Those with a cocaine substance abuse disorder may drink alcohol to reduce cocaine’s side effects, such as clenching, tension, and anxiety. As these two drugs metabolize, the liver produces cocaethylene, which may result in organ failure, high blood pressure, and poor judgment. Additionally, it can cause cardiac arrhythmia, strokes, and other conditions. To break the habit, you may want to learn more about our cocaine addiction treatment program.
Benzodiazepines: When you take depressants such as Xanax with alcohol, they have similar effects on the body. Both substances affect similar neurotransmitters — the combination increases intoxication. However, the combination increases the risk of coma, respiratory failure, or death.
Sleeping Pills: If you mix alcohol and sleeping pills, it enhances the effect of the medication. However, sleepwalking, coma, and death may result.
Prescription Polydrug Use: Some people mix prescription drugs or use prescription drugs belonging to other people. The risks involve a fatal overdose. In a prescription drug rehab program, you learn more about the dangers of mixing these drugs.

Continued Polysubstance Use

What is polysubstance abuse and how can you get help to overcome it? If you find yourself habitually mixing drugs to boost the impact, you may need help weaning yourself off the drugs. Introducing additional drugs increases your risk of developing an addiction to more than one substance. Unfortunately, this can complicate the detox and recovery processes.