How to Help People Who Combine Multiple Drugs
Polysubstanceuse involves the use of two or more drugs in combination.
The resulting drug intoxication often occurs in patterns, such as cocaine used with alcohol and prescription drugs.
Mixing thesesubstancescan prove lethal, or causestrokesand other serious health issues.
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Studies note that some combinations can lead to additional drug use, including heroin use that follows sedative use.
To complicate matters, many individuals use multiple substances.
How Common Is Polysubstance Use?
Mixing drugs is not uncommon and feels like the norm.
Signs and Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of multiple substance use will depend on the substances involved.
They often follow patterns of association.
Different combinations will lead to different symptoms of the polysubstance use.
People with polysubstance use disorders often combine drugs in ways that lead to specific patterns of symptoms.
Cocaine and Alcohol
The use of alcohol with cocaine is fairly common.
One study of 2,016 intoxicated drivers tested for substance use found that 5.6% used both alcohol and cocaine.
Cocaine use alone can lead to symptoms including rapid heart rates and high blood pressure.
But cocaethylene lasts longer in the body, and it’s more toxic to the heart and liver.
Some of the same adverse effects can occur.
Combining substances can have serious consequences.
Health Problems
Drugs and alcohol harm the body.
Using multiple drugs puts a person at risk of developing or worsening health issues.
The resulting health problems can be short or long term; they also can lead to death.
In other cases, an individual may self-medicate or use drugs to manage their symptoms.
More than one in four adults diagnosed with a serious mental health problem also has a substance use problem.
Taking drugs or combining them can aggravate mental health symptoms and make them worse.
This includes using substances on top of prescription medications for mental health conditions.
Relapse
Relapseprevention is a vital part of treatment and recovery.
Polysubstance use can make it difficult for someone to be consistent with treatment.
It can also lead to relapse.
Relapse is serious and, depending on the situation, can increase the risk of health problems and overdose.
Depending on the punch in of drug, the effect on the body can vary.
When drugs are taken together, the effects can be intensified.
For instance, taking more than one depressant drug can increase the risk of overdose or death.
In the event of an overdose or medical emergency, call911immediately.
Treatment
Because polysubstance use involves using multiple drugs, the first step in treatment isdetoxification.
Healthcare providers often supervise this process to manage and alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal can be intense and physically taxing.
Symptoms of withdrawal vary based on the substances used.
Common symptoms include:
After detox, a patient may begin treatment at a residential or intensive outpatient facility.
This information can also help a healthcare provider and patient determine the best approach to treatment.
Treatment varies from patient to patient.
Working closely with a treatment team will determine the best approach.
Summary
Polysubstance use is the intentional or unintentional mixing of substances.
While people combine drugs for many reasons, consuming multiple drugs is dangerous.
Certain combinations, such as opiates taken with sedatives, can prove fatal.
Substance use treatment can help people reduce and stop their behavior.
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