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Polysubstance Abuse: Health Implications and Treatment Methods

Last Updated: March 13, 2024

Authored by Olivier George, Ph.D.

Reviewed by Michael Espelin APRN

Polydrug abuse involves abusing multiple drugs in combination with one another. In essence, polysubstance abuse is when an individual ingests two different drug types, either together to amplify their effects or at different times within a short period. These drugs may include pharmaceuticals, alcohol, marijuana, caffeine, tobacco, cocaine, and others.

Unfortunately, polysubstance use disorder still needs more research to be done. More efforts are being put into clinical research to fully understand specific polysubstance abuse and risk profiles, prevention, and therapy.

Polysubstance Abuse: An Overview

Polysubstance abuse has become an extremely common problem that is particularly common amongst certain age, ethnic groups, subcultures, social circles, and other categories. It is closely associated with a decline in physical and mental health. The lucidity behind this practice increases potency or effect of “high,” often causing irreversible issues in the system. Prevalence rates of polysubstance abuse have increased over time, including various age sets and risk groups.

The most consistent polydrug use subcultures are reported to be party groups, and these indulgences pave the way for high behavioral misconduct inclusive of crime, date rape, misdemeanors, suicidal acts, and other mental and emotional dysfunctions.

Caucasian man holding pills on hand.

Polydrug Abuse May Occur At Any Given Time, Especially In Three Ways:

Using Two or More Substances Concomitantly

Usually occurs when a person indulges in the abuse of multiple substances, such as marijuana/cocaine and alcohol, at the same time to heighten the feeling of euphoria. Other examples include benzodiazepines and alcohol, opiates and alcohol, ecstasy and alcohol,

Using One Drug to Balance or Counter the Effects of the Other

This may be as simple as using an antidepressant to counter the effect of a depressant. An addict may decide to self-medicate with an antidepressant that would provide a jolt of energy in order to keep up with ongoing activities, after using a depressant which mostly relaxes the nerves and induces sleep.

Using a Variety of Drugs at Different Short Periods (hours/days/weeks)

Many individuals are not aware that drugs may interact when used within a short period of time, leading to interactions or counter-interactions. Some of these perilous pairs include Tylenol and cold medicines with multi-symptoms, combinations of ibuprofen and aspirin, high-calcium supplements, and antidiarrheal drugs.

A report stated that the use of more than one drug is the culprit to over 50% of overdoses in the UK and 90% in Ireland.

 The Same Report Showed Proportions of Data on Outpatient Treatment Centers in 2001- According to Statistical Findings:

  • Adult males within the age range of 20 to 39 used heroin and cocaine
  • Older clients used opiate combinations with cannabis
  • Males under the age of 30 used cocaine in combo with other stimulants and alcohol
  • Some clients of both genders used a combination of cannabis, alcohol, and other hallucinogens

Dangers of Polydrug use

Polydrug use is extremely dangerous because of each drug’s potential to interact poorly with other drugs. Taking the wrong combination of pills within proximity of each other can easily result in overdose or death if urgent therapy is delayed.

Among Others, Some of the Leading Dangers of Combining Drugs Include:

  • Heart failure
  • Brain damage
  • Respiratory problems
  • Seizures
  • Kidney and liver damage
  • Heatstroke
  • Coma
  • Death

Common dangers involved with polydrug use include:

Extreme Intoxication

Oone drug may increase the effect of the other drug, leading to an extreme high. This is a problem for those handling sensitive materials or driving under the influence.

Engaging in Risky Behaviors

It is typical for individuals who are intoxicated by drugs and alcohol to engage in “daredevil” behaviors for the fun of it, such as driving any form of automobile, climbing, jumping, crossing a busy road, etc. This almost always leads to severe accidents due to poor coordination.

Violence

Polydrug use creates a high that alters cognitive/decision-making abilities and increases the tendency to become aggressive and violent for no reason.

Coughing young man.

Dependency on More Than One Drug

As one drug may increase the effect of the other, there is a tendency to develop an addiction to both drugs at the same time.

Mental Health Problems

A poly addict that relies on the use of mixtures of drugs to live a regular life may develop mental health problems in the absence of these drugs. These mental issues may include depression, anxiety, paranoia, etc.

Physical Health Risks

organs responsible for metabolizing these substances may shut down due to the substances’ toxic nature. Medical problems such as heart disease and liver disease are very common with polysubstance abuse disorder.

Overdose

When a poly addict continually mixes drugs together, it is usually quite easy to overdose on the drugs. An overdose can result in death, coma, or brain damage.

Risks of Polydrug Use During Pregnancy

The effect of polysubstance dependency during pregnancy is expected to be evident on the infant, although most of the available reports have been short term. There has been little to no concrete data on infants’ long-term outcome exposed to multiple drug use before birth.

In short-term effects of polysubstance use, the effect of cocaine and marijuana/alcohol led to a significant decrease in birth weight as well as a smaller head circumference. However, the weight and size caught up to normal in the first year—individuals who used only marijuana and alcohol birthed infants that exhibited smaller head-circumferences in their first two years. The deficiency in the development of the head in infants may stand as a biological marker in forecasting the long-term effect of polysubstance use. Intrauterine drug use may also cause unforeseen developmental problems in infants.

Pregnant woman in bed with many pills.

Polydrug risk Groups

Polysubstance dependency is quite rampant in many regions, especially in the United States. In 2018, a report confirmed that about 164.8 million people within the age of 12 and above-used drugs (alcohol, tobacco, etc.). Of the 164.8 million people, 139.8 million used alcohol, 58.8 million individuals used tobacco products, and 31.9 million used all kinds of illicit substances.

According to reports, adolescents and teens within the age of 12 to 17 and adults within the age of 18 to 25 are most vulnerable to polysubstance dependency.

From all perspectives, any individual falls within the category of risk group and can consciously or unconsciously combine drugs, whether illicit drugs or over-the-counter meds. Some factors, however, that can largely contribute to polydrug use include substance abuse, poverty, peer pressure, lack of parental supervision, drug availability, and others.

Common Drug Combinations

Some drug combinations are more common than others among drug users.

These Can Include:

Heroin and Cocaine (Speedball)

Combining cocaine (a stimulant) and heroin (a depressant) is often referred to as a “speedball.” While the two drugs cancel each other out in the beginning (the depressant lowering heart rate and blood pressure, while the stimulant increases them), the stimulant often wears off much faster than the depressant. This leaves an amplified opiate effect on the user and can lead to cessation of breathing.

Cocaine and Cigarettes

Since both drugs act on the brain chemical dopamine, which is one responsible for addiction, one substance helps make addiction to the other stronger and vice versa. Users of both may find it harder to quit both drugs.

Prescription Medication

People who often self-medicate rather than see a medical professional may mix prescriptions that may have counter-interactions. An overdose is always a possibility, and adding alcohol to the mix might escalate the prescription drug’s negative effects.

Antidepressants and MDMA

Many people combine these two types of drugs for antidepressants to balance out the reduction in serotonin caused by drugs like ecstasy and psychedelics. While those who use an SSRI may achieve this goal, using another classification of antidepressants, such as an MAOI inhibitor, may cause a fatal reaction known as serotonin syndrome. This is caused by too much serotonin in the brain.

Check what side effects MDMA can produce.

Drugs and Alcohol

One of the most common combinations of drug users like to use is that of various drugs and alcohol. This is especially common with cocaine, marijuana, Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines, antidepressants, and antihistamines. Alcohol can be especially dangerous when combined with depressants. Because alcohol suppresses the central nervous system, it is also a depressant.

Combining the Two Can Slow Down the Nervous System Too Much, Which Can Easily Lead to:

  • respiratory arrest
  • irregular heart rate
  • slowed mental function
  • dizziness
  • coma
  • death

600,000 ER visits every year are related to the use of drugs and alcohol in combination. This makes up over half of all drug-related hospital visits. Alcohol is highly dangerous to use with any drug, as it has been shown to interact with over 150 separate substances, including recreational and prescription drugs.

Alcohol and Cocaine

Individuals who mix both substances do so in other to balance their effects. Cocaine, as a stimulant, may increase levels of alertness, causing tension, anxiety, paranoia, clenching, etc., while alcohol, as a relaxant, would induce intoxication and a reduction in energy levels. Using cocaine with alcohol reduces intoxication, enabling the user to handle more alcohol. The problem with this is that cocaine addicts who used alcohol also had an alcohol addiction. Also, the metabolism of both substances yields the metabolite cocaethylene, which is highly problematic to the liver and the cardiovascular system. Possible results of cocaethylene accumulation include intracranial hemorrhage, heart attack, stroke, brain damage, aneurysm, cardiac arrhythmia, and others.

Cocaine and alcohol drink.

Alcohol and Benzodiazepines

Alcohol and benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax act on the same neurotransmitters and have similar effects in the brain. Hence, using both substances may increase intoxication, leading to heart failure, coma, or even death.

Alcohol and Opioids

The combination may lower the blood pressure significantly and inhibit the respiratory system’s functions. The risks can be compared to the alcohol-heroin mixture. In addition, many opioid painkillers contain ibuprofen or acetaminophen, which may cause liver damage and bleeding in the stomach if both substances are mixed.

Alcohol and Stimulants

The alcohol-stimulants mix may mimic the effects of the alcohol-cocaine mix. The result is a spike in the heart rate and possible heart complications.

Alcohol and Heroin

Both depressants have similar functions in the system. Using them together would enhance the effects of both drugs leading to an accelerated experience that can cause respiratory failure and damage to the liver. The loss of oxygen to the brain due to respiratory issues may lead to brain damage and other complications.

Find Treatment for Polydrug Abuse

Many individuals are suffering from the effects of polysubstance abuse, and very few seek means to recovery. The mental health of users often deteriorate with time, as well as physical health. A poly addict has an addiction to two or more substances, and this can be difficult to manage and requires a more advanced form of therapy. There is a range of tailored treatment schedules and follow-up programs for individuals who have developed an addiction to two or more substances.

Doctor consult a patient in his office.

Why Does Polydrug Abuse Require a Special Treatment Approach?

There are a few things to consider while administering therapy to a poly addict.

Oftentimes, Polydrug Addiction and Abuse are Harder to Treat Due to Factors Like:

  • The use of psychoactive drugs, together with alcohol, might increase the risk of a relapse, making a recovery difficult.
  • The heightened reactions caused by multiple drug use may increase the level of dependency on psychoactive drugs; this often makes quitting any of the drugs more difficult to accomplish.
  • Most polyaddicts that seek recovery from a particular substance may end up quitting one substance but increasing the amount of the other substance in order to balance the effects.
  • Withdrawal symptoms are often compounded due to the variation of substances in the system. The more drugs at play, the more severe withdrawal symptoms can be. Additionally, quitting some drugs or combinations cold turkey can lead to dangerous side effects. These can often be deadly and impedes recovery.
  • Users are usually more resistant to help due to the escalated effect of withdrawal symptoms to the drug-alcohol combinations. Higher levels of addiction often mean more resistant addicts. The saying “the first step is admitting one has a problem” is true, and those who aren’t open to getting help usually won’t. Unfortunately, many polyaddicts lose their lives before they reach that point.

The most effective treatment program for polydrug addicts is an inpatient rehabilitation program. While there are outpatient counseling and programs available, they are often less effective at treating the most severe cases of addiction.

An Inpatient Center Will Provide a Higher Level of Care, Which Will Include:

  • Medical monitoring during detoxification to ensure any side effects or withdrawal symptoms are kept under control
  • Intensive counseling to get to the root of the drug use
  • Treatment for any underlying co-occurring disorder, such as anxiety or depression
  • Group therapies for peer to peer support and advice

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Page Sources

  1. Ruiz, P., & Strain, E. 2011. Substance Abuse: A Comprehensive Textbook, Fifth Edition. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
  2. The National Center for Biotechnology Information. 2006. Simultaneous and Concurrent Polydrug Use of Alcohol and Prescription Drugs: Prevalence, Correlates, and Consequences. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1761923/.
  3. National Institute on Drug Abuse. 2015. DrugFacts: Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction.

Published on: September 28th, 2015

Updated on: March 13th, 2024

About Author

Olivier George, Ph.D.

Olivier George is a medical writer and head manager of the rehab center in California. He spends a lot of time in collecting and analyzing the traditional approaches for substance abuse treatment and assessing their efficiency.

Medically Reviewed by

Michael Espelin APRN

8 years of nursing experience in wide variety of behavioral and addition settings that include adult inpatient and outpatient mental health services with substance use disorders, and geriatric long-term care and hospice care.  He has a particular interest in psychopharmacology, nutritional psychiatry, and alternative treatment options involving particular vitamins, dietary supplements, and administering auricular acupuncture.

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