Polysubstance use in Tampa and throughout the rest of the state remains a significant public health concern.
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What Is Polysubstance Use?
Polysubstance use is a clinical term that refers to using two or more drugs. This behavior is sometimes also referred to as polydrug use.
There are two general types of polysubstance use:
- Sequential – Using multiple drugs on separate occasions
- Concurrent or simultaneous – Using more than one drug at the same time
People who engage in polysubstance use may be doing so for many reasons, including:
- Magnifying the drug’s effects – If a person uses two stimulants or two depressants, the combined effect can be much more powerful than if they only used one. While this may be an enticing option for people who are seeking an intense high, or who have developed tolerance to one of the drugs, it is extremely dangerous and can easily lead to overdose and other problems.
- Offsetting one drug’s effects with another – Drowsiness is a common effect of alcohol and other depressants. Some people who are having difficulty staying awake after using these types of drugs may use cocaine or another stimulant to increase their energy and alertness. This, too, is a dangerous behavior that can expose a person to considerable harm.
There is no limit to the types of drugs that can be used in combination, but typical examples of polysubstance use include:
- Alcohol and cannabis
- Alcohol and cocaine
- Alcohol and prescription painkillers
- Heroin and cocaine
- Amphetamine and alcohol
- MDMA (ecstasy) and cocaine
- Benzodiazepines and opioids
- Benzos and alcohol
Is Polysubstance Use Common?
Polysubstance use is quite common. According to a June 2020 Frontiers in Neuroscience article, researchers have found that:
- About 74% of people who use cocaine and 80% of people who use amphetamine also use other substances.
- When compared to people who had no history of amphetamine use, amphetamine users were 21 times more likely to be addicted to cannabis and seven times more likely to have used cocaine in the past year.
- About 91% of people who enter treatment for heroin addiction also have histories of using cocaine.
- Among adolescent cannabis users, 67% have also used two or more other drugs in the previous 12 months.
- 5.6% of all adults in the U.S. (or more than 15.4 million people ages 18 and above) have used alcohol and at least one other drug in the past year.
- 1.1% of adults in the U.S. (or more than 3 million people) have met the criteria for both alcohol use disorder and another type of substance use disorder.
Dangers of Polysubstance Use
The greatest immediate risk of polysubstance use is overdose.
Throughout the 21st century, the overdose epidemic in the United States has been fueled by opioids such as fentanyl and prescription painkillers. But most people who have died as a result of overdose haven’t only had opioids in their system.
The Frontiers in Science article cited earlier in today’s post noted that about 80% of all fatal opioid overdoses involve people who also had at least one other drug in their system.
This is supported by data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which reported the following about overdose deaths in the U.S. in 2023:
- 43,443 overdose deaths involved stimulants and opioids. This represented 74% of all stimulant-related overdose deaths.
- 23,116 overdose deaths involved cocaine and opioids. This accounted for 78.5% of all cocaine-related overdose deaths.
- 9,092 overdose deaths involved benzodiazepines and opioids. This comprised 86.3% of all benzo-involved overdose deaths.
In addition to the risk of overdose, other dangers associated with polysubstance use include:
- Elevated risk of addiction
- Damage to the heart, lungs, brain, and other organs
- Other health problems due to poor self-care
- Injuries due to impaired judgement, perception, and coordination
- Being victimized while impaired
- Being arrested and jailed
- Onset or worsening of mental health concerns
- Job loss, unemployment, and financial difficulties
Is Polysubstance Use a Sign of Addiction?
Polysubstance use is not one of the criteria for substance use disorders in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). But using multiple substances can definitely increase a person’s risk of developing an addiction.
If you’re concerned about the amount and frequency of your substance use, it can be helpful to consult with your doctor or schedule an assessment at a reputable addiction treatment center in your area.
Completing an evaluation and receiving an accurate diagnosis can help you understand the scope of the challenge you’re facing. Also, the person who conducts your assessment should be able to recommend appropriate types of treatment.
Do You Need Detox for Polysubstance Use?
Depending on which drug you’ve become addicted to, trying to stop using it can trigger a variety of unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. In some cases, the distress of withdrawal can be so severe that people seek relief by resuming their active substance use.
In cases like these, detox can be an essential step toward successful recovery.
Being addicted to multiple drugs can make the withdrawal process more difficult, which means that detox could be the right choice. But the only way to be certain which services best align with your unique needs is to discuss your options with a qualified professional.
Learn More About Treatment for Polysubstance Use in Tampa
Tampa Bay Recovery Center offers personalized outpatient care for adults who have become addicted to alcohol and other drugs. We also serve clients who have anxiety, depression, and other co-occurring mental health concerns.
Treatment options at our outpatient rehab in Tampa, FL, include a partial hospitalization program (PHP), an intensive outpatient program (IOP), and virtual (online) care. A member of our team can discuss the features and benefits of each option with you and help you determine which one is right for you.
To learn more about how we can help you or a loved one, or to schedule a free assessment, please visit our Contact page or call us today.
