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Lifetime prevalence of adult substance abuse disorder is 10% in the U.S. While the dangers of long-term drug addiction and abuse are well-known, mixing illicit and prescription drugs and alcohol is incredibly dangerous. This is termed “polydrug abuse” and is incredibly prevalent. Prescription drugs and alcohol are some of the most commonly abused drug combinations, and their effects are dangerous and unpredictable. The following article will explore the statistics, risk factors, and treatment methods for polydrug abuse and addiction.
Why would someone mix drugs?
One of the key features in the cycle of addiction is the phenomenon of ‘tolerance.’ When someone starts to use a drug, whether illicit or prescription, their body will get used to a certain baseline level or effect of the drug. What makes a drug emotionally addictive is the euphoria people will experience when they first use a substance. Over time and as they continue to use the drug, tolerance will develop. Tolerance is when the body gets used to the substance, and the user does not get the intended, euphoric effect anymore. So, they will start to take more and more of the drug to induce a euphoric sensation or a ‘high.’ Polydrug use sometimes happens out of necessity, or to get a more significant high. And sometimes, it can happen by accident.
When someone runs out of their supply of drugs, they may turn to a different substance to reduce unpleasant or painful withdrawal effects. Sometimes, people will mix drugs to get a more intense experience. People who are taking a prescription medication as directed by a doctor may drink too much at a social gathering and experience potentially dangerous effects. Some prescription drugs can mask the effects of alcohol and the person may not realize that they’ve had too much to drink until it is too late.
While drug abuse is well known to be dangerous, mixing drugs or partaking in polydrug use is even riskier. Mixing drugs can lead to a host of health consequences, and significantly increase the risk of an accidental, fatal overdose.
Studies also indicate that people who are involved in the club scene are at high risk of engaging in polydrug abuse behaviors. Ecstasy, cocaine, alcohol, and marijuana are the most commonly abused substances amongst club-going young adults. These social scenes can encourage polydrug use among vulnerable individuals.
What are the statistics regarding polydrug abuse and overdose rates?
In most cases, polydrug use happens when a person mixes a drug with alcohol. Teenagers are at the highest risk of polydrug abuse. The most common drugs that teens abuse and mix are prescription opioids with alcohol and marijuana. Seven out of ten teens who abuse opioids will mix them with these other substances. This dramatically increases their risk of accidental overdose. Opiates and alcohol both suppress respiration, which can lead to unconsciousness and brain damage.
Most ER visits for fatal overdoses involve more than one type of substance. The reason why polydrug use is so dangerous is that drugs interact differently in the body and in unpredictable ways. Harmful effects of all substances are magnified. If someone has been drinking and then abuses heroin, it takes less heroin to induce a fatal overdose than if someone was sober before shooting up. The more drugs someone takes at once, the less of any one drug it will take to cause an overdose.
What are the effects of polydrug abuse?
Mixing alcohol and depressant drugs such as opioids or benzodiazepines will cause a person’s heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure to precipitously drop, leading to a fatal overdose.
Alcohol and cannabis will increase the chances of having a panic attack or becoming nauseous. In persons with anxiety sensitivities, mixing these two substances can lead to increased hospital visits for panic attacks.
When people mix alcohol with stimulant drugs like cocaine and other amphetamines, the effects of alcohol are greatly masked. Because alcohol effects are masked, people will drink more because they don’t realize how much alcohol they’ve consumed. This can lead to an increased risk of alcohol poisoning. Also, alcohol and cocaine create a chemical that is toxic to the heart and can lead to a fatal overdose.
Perhaps the most deadly drug combination, heroin and cocaine, or speedballs, cause the body to use more oxygen, but heroin suppresses respiration. The combination of these two incredibly different and dangerous drugs puts the user at high risk of overdosing and dying.
What are the statistics regarding polydrug abuse and overdose rates?
Every year in the U.S., over 36,000 people will die from a drug overdose. Of those deaths, half are the result of one specific drug. 26% of fatalities involve two drugs, 12% involve three, and 6% mention four or more substances. Among all drug overdose deaths, the average involves at least two different drugs.
- One in five fatal overdoses involves heroin and cocaine.
- Sleeping pills are involved in over a quarter of all polydrug overdose deaths.
- 20% of all drug overdose deaths that involve methamphetamine and also involve heroin.
How is polydrug abuse treated?
Polydrug abuse can make withdrawal and treatment for addiction a problematic process. When a polydrug abuser enters a detox facility, they are going to have to withdraw from different drugs at the same time. Drug withdrawal timelines and symptoms vary greatly. For example, withdrawal symptoms for methamphetamine can cause someone to be incredibly tired and lethargic for days on end. But sleeping pill withdrawal can cause someone to experience rebound insomnia. For someone who presents with symptoms of both, withdrawal can be a particularly unpleasant time.
For people with polydrug abuse issues, cold-turkey detox can be especially dangerous. Fortunately, medical detox centers are some of the most effective and safe places for someone to get treated for polydrug abuse. Medical detox centers can give those in recovery a tapering off schedule and also replacement medications to lessen the severity of withdrawal effects.
Polydrug abuse is incredibly dangerous. Mixing different substances can mask drug effects and lead to an unintentional, fatal overdose. For people who abuse multiple drugs, it’s crucial that they receive professional help for drug abuse and addiction. If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction to various substances, don’t hesitate to reach out to a drug counselor today and get the help you need.
The facilities at Mission Harbor are staffed with trained experts to best assist patients with their mental health issues. We are capable of dealing with any and all cases with a licensed staff, equipment, and approved techniques. Our mission is to help those who want to help themselves, and we support your decision in seeking help.
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