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What is Polysubstance Abuse? - WordPress Website
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What is Polysubstance Abuse?

What is Polysubstance Abuse?

Polysubstance abuse is the abuse of two or more substances. It frequently involves alcohol as one of the two or more substances. It is possible for someone to engage in polysubstance use (PSU) without knowing. Especially as illicit drugs are increasingly cut with other substances. More and more, fentanyl is in various other drugs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) overdose deaths that involve synthetic opioids including fentanyl, though not including methadone, had increased 47% from 2016 to 2017. They estimate that around 28,400 people died from overdose deaths involving synthetic opioids. Further, they cite reports from law enforcement that this rise is likely in most part due to the increase in illegally or illicitly made fentanyl.
Polysubstance abuse does not always involve fentanyl. It is simply increasingly more common as people are unaware it is even in other drugs. As mentioned previously, it is possible for people to engage in PSU intentionally or unintentionally. However, there are many people who choose to engage in polysubstance abuse, often involving alcohol. It’s possible for this to include legally or illegally obtained drugs. Regardless of the legal status, there are many dangers in mixing substances. For anyone using medication under their doctor’s supervision, they should absolutely discuss the potential risks of mixing with other drugs and alcohol.

Dangers Of Polylsubstance Abuse

Often when someone intentionally mixes substances they are typically hoping to enhance the side effects of both substances and/or to negate negative effects of any of the substances. Alcohol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant. It does have some stimulating effects, but by depressing the CNS it slows breathing and impairs motor and cognitive function among other side effects. Mixing alcohol with other substances that also act as CNS depressants is incredibly dangerous.

The CDC states, “Among synthetic opioid-involved overdose deaths in 2016, almost 80 percent involved another drug or alcohol…” If someone mixes multiple depressants, they are at serious risk for overdose and death due to many side effects including suppressed breathing. According to South Australia Health (SA Health), the potential side effects of mixing alcohol and cocaine (a stimulant) are from the mixture creating “…a chemical in the body that is toxic to the heart and can be fatal.” Furthermore, many people try to mix heroin and cocaine (speedballing) to try to offset negative effects of each other.

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