Author: Alex Thompson

What is Polysubstance Abuse: Definition, Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Relapse is serious and, depending on the situation, can increase the risk of health problems and overdose. Studies of polysubstance use with this combination find increased death rates, with 20% or more of people who died found to be using both drug types. Both drugs act on areas of the brain that cause them to suppress a person’s ability to breathe, with a stronger effect when taken together. Cocaine typically leads to elevated mood and energy, while benzos like Valium (diazepam) or Xanax (alprazolam) are sedatives often used to help you sleep.

1. The withdrawal process will be complicated, and the medical person in charge may administer the patient with long-term maintenance medication to assist in the withdrawal from the use of illicit drugs.
2. It may be hard to tell whether a person is high or experiencing an overdose.
3. The vagueness of this diagnosis can make it difficult for specialists to provide appropriate treatment approaches to patients.
4. For instance, if a substance is illicit (illegal), such as heroin or cocaine, then use of it is always considered abuse.

When a person becomes addicted to a drug, he or she is affected by compulsive drug-seeking and use. With time, the effects of continued abuse take their toll on a person’s psychological, physical, emotional, and behavioral well-being. By Geralyn Dexter, PhD, LMHCGeralyn Dexter, PhD, LMHC, is a mental health counselor based in Delray Beach, Florida, with a focus on suicidal ideation, self-harm, help-seeking behavior, and mood disorders. Polysubstance use can make it difficult for someone to be consistent with treatment.

Health Problems

More specific signs of polysubstance abuse can be found according to the effects of certain polydrug combinations, such as cocaine and alcohol or cocaine and heroin. Finally, people seeking treatment may take advantage of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions or support groups. These resources can help them address emotional or mental issues that give rise to polysubstance abuse. Thus, the latest DSM-5-TR (Fifth Edition, Text Revision) eliminated polysubstance dependence as a disorder of its own. Instead, the DSM-5 uses Substance Use Disorder as a more “precise” condition for an individual with co-occurring substance dependence.

The previous version, which is the DSM-4, includes polysubstance dependence as a diagnosis of its own. Most of the time, people mix substances to experience more intense effects, satisfying their cravings. Continuous use of these combinations tends to higher dosage use, leading to addiction. We do not receive any compensation or commission for referrals to other treatment facilities.

The cravings and urges to use substances, and the obsession with using and planning use, can change people’s priorities and the way they interact with others. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please contact at

Mixing Depressants With Other Depressants

This includes when two or more are taken together or within a short time period, either intentionally or unintentionally. They may also prescribe certain drugs to offset withdrawal symptoms that may make the experience uncomfortable and unpleasant. Health professionals may perform blood, urine, or other lab tests to determine drug use. While positive test results do not suggest an addiction, they may help define treatment plans. BetterHelp can connect you to an addiction and mental health counselor. Scientific evidence has grown to support making distinctions between the person consuming the drug and the addiction as a legitimate health problem.

Research also shows that people who use tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, prescription opioids, cocaine, and heroin are more likely to struggle with polysubstance abuse. It’s never too late to help people battling polysubstance abuse and addiction. Hope comes from the support of family, friends, and healthcare professionals who are committed to transforming the lives of people suffering from this condition. We should assure them that it’s possible to return to normal with the help of specialized treatment.

For example, people who combine cocaine and alcohol are taking part in polysubstance consumption. Some patients may benefit from individual psychotherapy sessions, while some might positively respond to group therapy or peer-support groups. Some therapists provide a holistic approach to treating the condition, focusing not only on the psychological aspect of the patient but also on his nutritional, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The harmful impact of polysubstance use is also present in prescription drugs.

Social and Emotional Signs

Learning to manage addiction can be difficult, and with abuse of more than one drug, a person will likely need an intensive program tailored to their specific needs. Signs of abuse can be physical, behavioral, psychological, or external (how drug abuse affects a person’s life). No matter the substance combination, people abusing drugs tend to experience vast changes in one area or more of their health or personal life once drug-seeking and using becomes the top priority due to addiction. It is not known exactly how many people in the United States are affected by polysubstance abuse and addiction.

Sociocultural causes can be divided into social causes and cultural causes. This therapy helps patients gain awareness of their thoughts that lead them to addictive behaviors. Mental health professionals use the latest Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) to make diagnoses of addiction-related mental disorders.

Health Effects of Polysubstance Abuse

Both opioids and drugs like Valium can lead to abuse and dependency, even when prescribed for chronic pain or other health conditions. In some cases, as with heroin, benzodiazepines are known to enhance the “high” people seek, despite the risks. Mixing alcohol with other drugs can increase your risk of overdose and serious damage to the brain, heart, and other organs. The most significant risk of polysubstance abuse is present among those with serious drug problems, especially those who inject opiates or other substances. During the sessions, the therapist will guide how to shift these destructive thoughts to positive ones, helping the patient end their addiction. According to the American Addiction Centers, these are some of the common substances mixed by people suffering from polysubstance abuse.

Hence, never mix prescription pills without direct instruction from your physician. Depending on the severity of abuse and duration of addiction, a person may need a medical detox, which involves constant monitoring and medical support. This means that while depressants work to slow down body functions like heart rate, respiratory rate, and brain function, stimulants are working to speed these body functions up. Intensive and outpatient environments allow people to explore their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to using, learn coping and problem-solving skills, and develop a relapse prevention plan. If you have a drug use problem or substance use issue, detoxification will be necessary.

People with polysubstance use disorders often combine drugs in ways that lead to specific patterns of symptoms. For example, it is difficult to overdose on benzodiazepines (a type of prescription medication) alone. However, when you mix higher doses of benzodiazepines with large quantities of alcohol or an opiate, death is possible. People dealing with polysubstance abuse have different experiences and personalities, and there’s no single “by-the-books” psychotherapy program that fits everyone with this condition.

However, withdrawal from more than one substance is more challenging than that from one substance. For this reason, the withdrawal process is recommended to be done on an inpatient basis. Calls from your area will be answered by Legacy Healing Center, and network of treatment centers who can be found here Any treatment center receiving calls from the site is a paid advertiser. For those seeking addiction treatment for themselves or a loved one, our calls are confidential and are available for 24/7 help. Addiction Resource aims to provide only the most current, accurate information in regards to addiction and addiction treatment, which means we only reference the most credible sources available. Combining depressant drugs with other depressants can cause fatal consequences such as overdose, coma, and death.