Polysubstance abuse might be an unfamiliar term, but millions of people struggle with this condition. Polysubstance abuse is the use of more than one substance at a time. Some people abuse multiple drugs or combine them with alcohol. This can include the use of multiple illicit drugs or the use of prescription drugs used for nonmedical benefits. At TruHealing Gaithersburg, our goal is to provide you with the tools you need to overcome addiction fully.
What Is Polysubstance Abuse?
In some cases, people may use prescription medications and combine them with other substances unintentionally. For example, having a drink after taking medications for pain may happen accidentally. Or, you may take prescriptions from two different doctors without recognizing you shouldn’t mix them.
For other people, it is intentional. By using more than one drug at a time, it may be possible to create a different or enhanced experience from the drug. Some people may use a second drug to deal with the side effects of the first drug. However, mixing drugs can have numerous negative outcomes, including overdose risks.
What Are the Signs of Polysubstance Abuse?
Using drugs like this is unsafe and can create numerous health risks. The easiest way to recognize that you may be engaging in polysubstance abuse is simply to consider if you are taking more than one substance at a time.
- Do you drink and use drugs?
- Do you take prescription pain medications and drink alcohol?
- Are you using cocaine and alcohol at the same time to increase its effects?
- Do you mix illicit substances to get a bigger or better high?
- Are you using opioids and benzos such as for pain and anxiety treatment?
Whether intentional or not, it is never safe to engage in polysubstance abuse. If it is unintentional, be sure to talk to your doctor about what you’ve experienced.
What Are the Dangers of Polysubstance Abuse?
Using more than one drug at a time is dangerous for multiple reasons. The interactions between drugs range but may include:
- Increased severity of side effects: Most drugs have side effects, and using more than one means there is a higher risk of more complicated and life-threatening side effects.
- Acute health problems can occur, including reduced metabolism and increasing concentrations of the toxin in the bloodstream, leading to a higher risk of overdose.
- Overdose itself can occur, which may include a reduction in heart rate, respiratory rate, coma, and seizures.
In addition to these dangers, taking more than one drug at a time can also worsen mental health disorders. This can make conditions like anxiety or depression harder to manage and their symptoms more intense.
Treatment for Polysubstance Abuse
It’s not always safe to simply stop taking medications prescribed by a doctor. However, if you are taking more than one prescription, make sure there are no complications that arise from it. Talk to your pharmacist and doctor.
For those engaging in this behavior due to addiction, treatment is available and can be very effective. Drug addiction treatment generally involves easing a person off any drugs they have a dependence on. It is also necessary to go to therapy to build skills for managing mental health disorders and the complications from addiction. We can help with programs such as:
- Women’s rehab center
- Men’s rehab center
- Partial hospitalization program
- Intensive outpatient program
- Outpatient treatment program
Take the Time to Learn More – Call TruHealing Gaithersburg Now
Polysubstance abuse is a dangerous type of drug addiction. Addiction treatment can help. To learn how, connect with our team online or call TruHealing Gaithersburg now at (833) 625-0398. The sooner you take action, the more help we can provide to restore your health and wellness.