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Written by Brandon Okey. Mina Draskovic, B.Psy., reviewed this content for accuracy.
Polysubstance abuse, the simultaneous use of multiple drugs, dramatically increases your risk of overdose and severe health issues. When you combine substances, their effects amplify unpredictably, leading to toxic interactions your body simply can’t handle.
The CDC reports that 81.8% of overdose deaths in 2022 involved at least one opioid and 57.1% involved at least one stimulant. This suggests a high prevalence of polysubstance use in fatal overdoses.
Whether it’s mixing alcohol with pills, cocaine with heroin, or any other combination, polysubstance abuse is a fast track to fatality.
If you’re caught in this dangerous cycle, our drug and alcohol rehab center offers the expertise to untangle even the most complex substance use issues and help you reclaim control.
Polysubstance exposure is the simultaneous or sequential use of multiple drugs which leads to polysubstance abuse. The exposure can be acute (short-term) or chronic (long-term), with each pattern presenting unique risks.
Polysubstance exposure complicates the body’s reaction to drugs because substances can interact in unpredictable ways, amplifying each other’s effects or creating entirely new, dangerous reactions in the body.
Over time, the abuse of multiple substances can lead to more severe addiction. You might notice someone using a wider variety of drugs, mixing substances more frequently, or experiencing more intense withdrawal symptoms when they can’t access their usual combination of drugs. This escalation often manifests in increasingly erratic behavior, mood swings, and a decline in physical health.
When different drugs are combined, they produce unpredictable and often dangerous interactions. Polysubstance abusers may display:
The unpredictable interactions between multiple drugs make it all the more challenging to diagnose and treat polysubstance abuse. If you notice signs of polysubstance use in yourself or a loved one, seek immediate medical help.
Ardu offers comprehensive treatment for polysubstance abuse, combining medical expertise with personalized care plans. Our state-of-the-art facility provides medically supervised detox, evidence-based therapies, and holistic approaches to address the physical and psychological aspects of addiction.
Many users have their “favorite” combinations of drugs. They are typically chosen for specific effects or to balance out unwanted side effects. Either way—it’s bad. These combinations are risky and ramp up the chances of something going seriously wrong.
Here are some common drug combinations:
Mixing drugs isn’t just doubling the risk; it’s creating a whole new level of danger that even experienced users can’t predict or control.
The criteria for polysubstance abuse are diagnostic guidelines used by healthcare professionals to identify and assess those who regularly use multiple substances. They help distinguish polysubstance abuse from single-substance addiction and guide treatment approaches.
Here’s a list of the main criteria:
Not all of these criteria need to be present for a diagnosis of polysubstance abuse. Typically, healthcare professionals look for the presence of at least three or four over 12 months to make a diagnosis. The severity of the abuse is often determined by the number of criteria met. More criteria indicate a more serious condition.
The Ardu team provides comprehensive care that goes beyond treating individual substances. We offer evidence-based treatments, including behavioral therapy and medication-assisted treatment when appropriate, to help you overcome the challenges of polysubstance abuse and achieve lasting recovery.
Reach out to Ardu today.
People turn to multiple drugs for a number of reasons, often rooted in personal struggles, social pressures, and biological factors. What might start as experimentation or an attempt to manage symptoms can quickly spiral into a dangerous pattern of use.
A 2022 review of the qualitative evidence identified eight primary motivations for polysubstance use:
The review focuses more on intentional, effect-based motivations for polysubstance use and doesn’t mention unintentional polysubstance use influenced by environmental and personal factors such as:
These and many other reasons may explain why people engage in polysubstance abuse, but they don’t justify the practice or make it any less dangerous.
Polysubstance abuse poses significant health risks that go beyond the dangers of individual drug use. The combination of multiple substances can lead to unpredictable interactions in the body, often amplifying negative effects.
Crummy, et. al. found that combining cocaine and cannabis use results in higher standardized death rates in emergency department visits, while a simultaneous use of heroin with cocaine or methamphetamine increases the risk of overdose and death.
The review also warns that polysubstance use in the U.S. involving opioids poses significant public health risks, with nearly 80% of fatal opioid overdoses involving another substance.
Below are ten critical dangers to be aware of.
Polysubstance use creates a complex chemical environment in the body that leads to unpredictable and potentially dangerous interactions. Drugs can amplify, diminish, or alter each other’s effects in ways that are hard to foresee.
For instance, combining stimulants and depressants can mask each other’s effects, so the risk of an unintentional overdose is high. Other interactions can cause severe physiological responses such as serotonin syndrome or sudden changes in blood pressure. The presence of unknown cutting agents in street drugs adds another layer of risk.
In emergency situations, these interactions can confound standard treatment protocols. It becomes challenging for medical professionals to provide effective care without a complete substance history.
Through complex drug interactions, polysubstance use elevates overdose risk. Multiple substances can overload the liver’s metabolism, resulting in toxic accumulation. The combination of opioids and benzodiazepines, for instance, intensifies central nervous system depression, causing fatal respiratory failure.
Tolerance to one drug doesn’t guarantee safety when combined with others. The unpredictable potency and unknown additives in illicit drugs further complicate dosing. Even experienced drug users can easily misjudge these combinations, making each instance of polysubstance use potentially life-threatening.
Polysubstance use puts severe stress on vital organs, including the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain. Here’s how:
The cumulative effect of processing combined drugs often results in progressive, irreversible organ damage.
Polysubstance abuse disrupts normal brain function through several mechanisms:
Steinhoff, et. al. posit that chronic polysubstance abuse leads to cognitive dysfunctions such as impaired executive functions and empathy and poorer educational and occupational achievements.
Polysubstance use disorder often intertwines with mental health disorders to create a complex web of neurological and psychological challenges. The interplay between illicit substances and prescription drugs can amplify the risk of developing or exacerbating conditions such as anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder.
A 2020 study on opioid use disorder (OUD) found that “individuals with substance use disorders involving multiple drugs were more likely to have other mental illnesses than were those with just OUD.”
Healthcare providers face unique hurdles in treating these dual diagnoses or co-occurring mental health conditions because traditional approaches for single-drug addictions may fall short. Ardu Recovery Center specializes in addressing these complex cases, offering comprehensive dual diagnosis treatment that tackles both substance use and mental health disorders simultaneously.
We craft individualized treatment strategies that blend cutting-edge scientific methods with whole-person healing practices such as mindfulness-based stress reduction. Our skilled professionals work closely with each client to forge a path toward sustained sobriety and mental health resilience.
It is possible to quit multiple addictions simultaneously, but it should be done under professional medical supervision. Polysubstance withdrawal is complex and can be dangerous because of overlapping and compounding symptoms from different substances.
Without proper medical care, you may face:
Medical supervision manages these potentially life-threatening complications and improves your chances of long-term recovery. Ardu’s drug treatment program provides the necessary support, medication management, and monitoring to safely navigate the withdrawal process from multiple substances.
If you’re battling multiple addictions, Ardu offers specialized care tailored to your complex needs. Our professionals have experience dealing with even the most extreme cases of drug addiction. Our drug addiction program offers a full suite of inpatient and outpatient services to our residents.
For those grappling with alcohol as part of their polysubstance addiction, our alcohol rehab program creates a nurturing, structured space to develop the tools and inner strength essential for lasting sobriety. If you’re in the early stages of recovery, our medically supervised alcohol detox service is equipped to handle the unique challenges of polysubstance withdrawal, ensuring a safe transition as you begin your journey towards freedom from all addictive substances.
We’ll develop a personalized treatment plan to uncover and tackle the root causes of your substance use. Our comprehensive approach includes:
Don’t let polysubstance addiction control your life any longer. Our experienced team is ready to guide you towards lasting recovery, addressing all aspects of your addiction and mental health.
Reach out today to begin your journey to a healthier, substance-free future.
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Brandon Okey is the co-founder of Ardu Recovery Center and is dedicated to empowering people on their journey to sobriety.
Addiction is classified as a mental disorder. Substance use disorders are recognized as complex brain diseases that affect behavior, cognition, and brain function. They often co-occur with other mental disorders and require comprehensive treatment approaches. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making and impulse control, is particularly affected in addiction. This neurological basis underscores the need for medical and psychological interventions in treatment.
Mental health professionals diagnose substance abuse using criteria from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). This involves assessing patterns of use, physical dependence, risky behaviors, and negative consequences in different life areas. The diagnosis also considers the frequency and quantity of substance use, as well as any withdrawal symptoms. In cases of polysubstance abuse, the complexity of symptoms may require more extensive evaluation.
A polydrug is the use of multiple psychoactive substances, either simultaneously or sequentially. This can include combinations of illegal drugs, prescription medications, and alcohol. Polydrug use often complicates treatment due to potential drug interactions and synergistic effects. The prevalence of polysubstance use has increased significantly, contributing to the current opioid crisis and rising drug overdose deaths.
Excessive use of a substance is typically referred to as substance abuse or misuse. In severe cases, it may lead to overdose, which can be a medical emergency, especially in cases of polysubstance abuse. Chronic substance abuse can result in tolerance, requiring increased amounts to achieve the desired effect. This escalation significantly raises the risk of adverse effects and fatal consequences.
In medical coding, polysubstance abuse is coded using the ICD-10 classification system. The specific code depends on the substances involved and the pattern of use. For instance, F19.20 is used for unspecified psychoactive substance use disorder. Accurate coding improves treatment planning and healthcare administration.
A person with multiple addictions is often referred to as having polysubstance dependence or a polysubstance use disorder. This condition reflects the complex interplay of different substance use patterns. People with polysubstance dependence often face more severe addiction symptoms and may require specialized treatment approaches. The combination of substances has health risk factors such as organ damage and cognitive dysfunctions.
Psychoactive drugs are substances that affect brain function, altering consciousness, mood, or cognitive processes. These include both legal (e.g., alcohol, prescription medications) and illegal substances. Psychoactive substances can have profound effects on neurotransmitter systems, particularly affecting dopamine pathways involved in reward and motivation. The misuse of these drugs can lead to significant changes in brain structure and function over time.
Four common types of substance abuse include:
Each type of drug disorder can have distinct effects on the brain and body, and may require different treatment approaches, especially in cases of polysubstance abuse. The prevalence of these disorders varies, with alcohol use disorder being one of the most common. Polysubstance abuse involving combinations of these substances can lead to more severe health consequences and complicate treatment efforts.
SUDORS Dashboard: Fatal Drug Overdose Data. (2024, May 7). Overdose Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/data-research/facts-stats/sudors-dashboard-fatal-overdose-data.html
Boileau-Falardeau, M., Contreras, G., Garipy, G., & Laprise, C. (2022). Patterns and motivations of polysubstance use: A rapid review of the qualitative evidence. Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention in Canada: Research, Policy and Practice, 42(2), 47-59. https://doi.org/10.24095/hpcdp.42.2.01
Crummy, E. A., O’Neal, T. J., Baskin, B. M., & Ferguson, S. M. (2020). One Is Not Enough: Understanding and Modeling Polysubstance Use. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2020.00569
Steinhoff, A., Bechtiger, L., Ribeaud, D., Eisner, M. P., Quednow, B. B., & Shanahan, L. (2022). Polysubstance Use in Early Adulthood: Patterns and Developmental Precursors in an Urban Cohort. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 15, 797473. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2021.797473
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