What is polysubstance abuse?

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.

One: Unpredictable drug interactions

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.

Two: Increased risk of overdose

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.

Three: Organ damage

Polysubstance use puts severe stress on vital organs, including the liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, and brain. Here’s how: 

• The liver processes multiple toxins simultaneously, increasing inflammation and cellular damage. Chronic overload can result in cirrhosis or liver failure. Alcohol is particularly bad for the liver.
• The kidneys filter increased amounts of toxic substances. When they’re overworked, they cause strain and tissue damage. Long-term drug abuse may lead to chronic kidney disease or renal failure.
• The heart experiences irregular rhythms and increased blood pressure from different substances. Prolonged stress can weaken the heart muscle and cause heart failure.
• The lungs face an increased risk of respiratory depression and infection. Chronic use may lead to permanent lung damage or respiratory failure.
• The brain undergoes neurochemical imbalances and potential structural changes from diverse drug interactions. This can result in cognitive impairment, mental health issues, and increased addiction vulnerability.

The cumulative effect of processing combined drugs often results in progressive, irreversible organ damage.

Four: Impaired cognitive function

Polysubstance abuse disrupts normal brain function through several mechanisms: 

• They alter neurotransmitter systems across multiple regions.
• They damage neural pathways, particularly in areas responsible for executive functions such as the prefrontal cortex. 
• They damage the function of the hippocampus. This brain region is responsible for memory formation, and it often suffers from cell death and reduced neurogenesis because of toxic drug interactions. 
• Prolonged polysubstance abuse can lead to persistent changes in brain structure and connectivity, impacting cognitive flexibility and information processing. 

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. 

Five: Mental health deterioration

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.