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Polysubstance abuse, or the simultaneous use of multiple drugs, is a complex and dangerous issue. Understanding the risks of polysubstance abuse can help you see why it is crucial to avoid this practice and get help if you are struggling to stop using multiple substances.
If you or someone you care about needs help for polysubstance abuse in Brazos Valley, you will find the customized care you need at Promises Brazos Valley. Contact us today at 979.426.0086 to learn more about our programs for polysubstance abuse and how we can help you discover your path to lifelong sobriety.
What Is Polysubstance Abuse?
Polysubstance abuse refers to using more than one drug at the same time. This can involve some of the following combinations:
- Drinking alcohol while smoking marijuana
- Taking amphetamine drugs for energy, then using benzodiazepines to sleep at night
- Drinking alcohol while using prescription medications
Polysubstance abuse can be recreational or unintentional. Some people combine substances to get a more intense high, while others drink alcohol while on a prescription drug without realizing it is unsafe to do so.
What Are the Risks of Polysubstance Abuse?
Polysubstance abuse can be more hazardous than using one type of drug. Using substances simultaneously magnifies the adverse effects in several ways.
Increased Health Risks
Drug interactions between more than one substance can be extremely harmful and sometimes deadly. When you use two or more drugs together or consecutively, you can compromise your immune function and will be more vulnerable to overdose.
Higher Chance of Developing an Addiction
Using more than one substance can lead to addiction faster. It can also cause more severe withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit or reduce your dose.
More Challenging Recovery
Treating polysubstance abuse can be more difficult due to the range of complications from mixing substances. Recovering from polysubstance abuse is also more complex because medications that help treat one addiction may not be effective for another.
Do You Need a Polysubstance Abuse Program?
Awareness of the dangers of polysubstance abuse can encourage you to stop mixing substances. For example, you may not have realized the risks of consuming alcohol while on medication but can refrain from drinking once you understand how the two substances interact. But stopping polysubstance abuse can be more challenging if you have developed an addiction.
How do you know if you need help for polysubstance abuse? Here are a few signs that indicate you may need to enroll in treatment:
- Having difficulty functioning without multiple substances – You may feel anxious, depressed, or physically uncomfortable when not taking the drugs.
- Using multiple substances regularly – Rather than occasional drinking, consuming alcohol daily while on prescription medication can be problematic.
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms – If you notice nausea, vomiting, insomnia, irritability, diarrhea, or excessive sweating when you try to stop one or more substances, you are experiencing withdrawal. This means your body has become dependent on the substances, and you will likely need professional help to quit.
- Development of new health problems – Drugs and alcohol can cause heart and liver damage and increase your susceptibility to diabetes and other chronic conditions. Polysubstance abuse can also instigate mental health conditions or worsen symptoms if you have existing mental health issues.
- Trying to quit without success – The severe symptoms of polysubstance withdrawal can make relapse seem inevitable. If you have attempted to stop using one or more substances but found it too uncomfortable to abstain for long, you will benefit from the assistance of addiction treatment professionals.
Overcoming polysubstance abuse does not have to be a grueling process. Enrolling in addiction treatment can help make your recovery smoother so you can enjoy better health through long-term recovery.
End Polysubstance Abuse with Help from Promises Brazos Valley
Awareness of the risks of polysubstance abuse and admitting that you have a problem are the first steps toward recovery. When you are ready to commit to healing, reach out to the compassionate team at Promises Brazos Valley. Contact us today at 979.426.0086 to learn how we can help you heal from polysubstance abuse in Brazos Valley.