What is Polysubstance Use?
Key Takeaways
- Polysubstance abuse is using multiple drugs together, increasing health risks.
- Risk factors include family history, early exposure, and mental health disorders.
- Symptoms range from irregular heartbeat to social isolation and poor judgment.
- Side effects like respiratory failure are worsened by using multiple substances together.
Polysubstance abuse or polydrug use is when someone uses more than one drug at any given moment. For example, people who combine cocaine and alcohol are taking part in polydrug use.
Using multiple drugs simultaneously can put you at risk for potentially dangerous drug interactions. It can even increase the risks of overdose and death.
It’s important to remember that the types and quantity of drugs consumed will raise the risk of more severe consequences.
Why Do People Misuse Multiple Drugs?
There are many reasons why someone may misuse multiple drugs. For instance, they might do it to maximize the high caused by different substances.
They might do it to balance or manage the negative effects of the substances. Like how a stimulant like cocaine might be combined with a depressant like alcohol.
In some cases, the combination of two or more substances results in unique side effects. Some people might even start using multiple drugs to manage painful chronic conditions.
What are the Most Common Poly-Abused Drugs?
The most usual patterns of poly-abused drugs include:
- Heroin combined with other opiates (methadone) or benzodiazepines
- Heroin combined with cocaine
- Cannabis combined with stimulants, hallucinogens, or alcohol
- Combining alcohol or stimulants with cocaine
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What are the Symptoms of Polysubstance Use?
Because polydrug users take multiple substances, there can be various symptoms. Oftentimes, these symptoms can vary based on the drugs consumed.
People who do take multiple substances at once may experience the following symptoms:
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Liver disease
- Respiratory depression
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Infections
- Weakened immune system
- Coma
- Intensified cravings
- Mood swings
- Impaired memory
- Poor judgment
- Disorientation
- Difficulty focusing
Additionally, people who have drug use problems often have sudden behavioral changes. They may isolate from loved ones, steal money to pay for drugs, or disregard personal hygiene.
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What are the Side Effects of Polysubstance Use?
Taking more than one drug can cause different side effects and worsen their severity. Additionally, polysubstance abuse can have various side effects that can lead to short and long-term health problems.
Short-Term Side Effects of Polysubstance Use
People who use multiple drugs at once may result in a euphoric high. However, it can also cause the following:
- Loss or increase in appetite
- Insomnia
- Elevated heart rate (tachycardia)
- Slurred speech
- Alcohol intoxication
- Coordination issues
- Risk-taking behaviors
- Poorer hygiene
- Relationship issues
Long-Term Side Effects of Polysubstance Use
People who use more than one drug have an increased risk of overdose and death. For example, central nervous system (CNS) depressants like alcohol and opioids can affect your breathing and heart rate, resulting in respiratory failure.
When you overdose, you may experience potentially life-threatening consequences, including permanent damage to bodily organs. You may also develop a tolerance to drugs or alcohol.
This means you’ll need higher doses of these substances to achieve the same high. This not only increases your risk of an overdose, but it also puts you at risk of dependence and addiction.
Who is at Risk for Polysubstance Abuse?
There is no one decisive risk factor for polysubstance abuse. People with polysubstance use problems may have one or more risk factors, including:
- A family history of drug abuse
- A history of substance use disorders (SUDs)
- Early exposure to drugs and alcohol
- Genetics
- Mental health disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
- Substance use disorders (SUD)
- Trauma (post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or sexual abuse)
- Stress
Various epidemiological studies have shown that people with opioid use disorder (OUD) are likely to have taken different drugs.
However, the most significant risk of polysubstance abuse is having a serious substance abuse problem. This is especially true for people who inject opiates and other substances.
Is Polysubstance Use Common Among People in Treatment?
In data figures released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, pregnant women who received opioid pain medication prescriptions faced a higher likelihood of smoking tobacco than those who didn’t.
In a closer look, the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addictions found the following poly-abused drug trends among people in treatment:
- Older individuals (primarily males) taking opiates with other opiates or cannabis
- Younger individuals (males and females) taking cannabis and stimulants while consuming alcohol or substances like hallucinogens
- Individuals aged under 30 years (males) taking both alcohol (or other stimulants) and cocaine
- Individuals between 20 and 39 years old (males) taking both cocaine and heroin
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Treatment Options for Polysubstance Use
Seeking treatment is crucial for anyone struggling with polydrug abuse. There are also various treatment options available to help people overcome their substance use.
These include:
- Inpatient rehab: Involves checking yourself into a rehab facility for 24-hour medical supervision.
- Outpatient rehab: A treatment program where you can leave the rehab facility.
- Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): A short-term therapy technique that explores the link between thought patterns and addiction.
- Support groups: Provides a community to help maintain sobriety after treatment.
How to Help Your Loved One Seek Treatment
If you have a loved one experiencing problems with polysubstance abuse, you can take on different approaches to get them help, including:
- Seek professional help: It can be difficult to address the topic of treatment, so consider getting help from healthcare professionals and addiction specialists.
- Reach out to local support groups: Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) or Narcotics Anonymous (NA) can offer a network of encouragement and support.
- Being encouraging: You can help boost your loved one’s confidence for treatment by providing genuine support and empathy.
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- Compton et al. “Polysubstance Use in the U.S. Opioid Crisis.” Nature News, Nature Publishing Group, 2020.
- Hannah et al. “Using Local Toxicology Data for Drug Overdose Mortality Surveillance.” Online Journal of Public Health Informatics, 2017.
- Font-Mayolas, S. & Calvo, F. “Polydrug Definition and Assessment: The State of the Art.” Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2022.
- Peppin et al. “The Polysubstance Overdose-Death Crisis.” Journal of Pain Research, Dove, 2020.
- “Polysubstance Use During Pregnancy.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024.
- “Polydrug Use.” European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addictions. 2002.
