Is it dangerous to use different drugs together? (Polysubstance Use Disorder) Let's talk about it!

You've probably heard of people who use multiple drugs, whether it's pills, drugs, or alcohol, all at once. Some people take one and then another. It's not as simple or trivial as you might think. This is what we call polydrug use . Today, we'll talk in detail about how this habit can affect your life and health, and how you can overcome it.

What is Polysubstance Use Disorder?

Simply put, polysubstance use disorder is when you use more than one type of drug, meaning two or more at the same time, or within a very short period of time. This was previously known as ``Polysubstance Abuse''. This is when you become addicted to those drugs and your use becomes such that it interferes with your daily activities, your health, and your quality of life.

Imagine someone taking a painkiller with alcohol, or a stimulant with sleeping pills. These are the kinds of things that come into play. Mixing drugs like this is not safe at all. The effects it can have on your body can be unpredictable, and in many cases, life-threatening. But the most important thing is that polysubstance use disorder is a treatable mental health condition. If you are ready, there are many ways to get help.

What falls under the category of 'polydrugs'?

In fact, if you use two or more drugs together, it's considered polydrug use. For example, if you use something like cocaine while drinking alcohol , that falls into this category because you're using more than one thing.

Are prescription medications applicable to this?

Yes, absolutely. Even if you're taking a medication prescribed by a doctor, if you're using it with another drug, that could be polydrug use. That's why it's so important to take only the medication your doctor prescribes for you, and exactly as prescribed.

If you take any medications daily, you should tell your doctor about all the other medications you take, including vitamins and supplements. Some medications can interact with each other. Your doctor can then choose the safest medications for you. They will also monitor you for any side effects.

What are the symptoms of polysubstance use disorder?

The symptoms of this condition can vary from person to person. It depends on the type and amount of drug used. When you take drugs, you may experience the following:

• A feeling of great happiness and excitement (euphoria).
• Feeling like your body is getting lighter.
• Feeling sleepy.
• Or sometimes feeling overly stimulated and anxious.

As the effects of drugs wear off, that is , withdrawal symptoms , the following symptoms may appear:

• Mental changes such as anxiety, agitation, and depression.
• Body pain, a feeling like muscles are being torn.
• Not sleeping.
• Sweating.
• Diarrhea.
• Nausea and vomiting.

Here are some common behaviors and symptoms associated with this condition:

• Giving priority to drug use, neglecting social and personal responsibilities.
• Using drugs secretly from others.
• Getting to the point where you need drugs to even do everyday tasks.
• Not caring about things like cleanliness, appearance, food, and drink.
• Getting angry and denying it when someone talks about drug use.

Sometimes these symptoms can be difficult to recognize because many people hide these habits and integrate them into their daily lives.

Why does this situation occur?

The exact cause of polydrug use disorder is not yet known, but research suggests that the addictive nature of drugs and their effects on the brain are the main causes.

Simply put, when you use drugs, your brain's reward system is stimulated. Chemicals like dopamine then travel throughout your brain, giving you a "good" feeling, a sense of pleasure. Over time, your brain begins to prioritize these artificial "good" feelings over healthy, pleasurable feelings. Eventually, you become addicted to them.

There can be many reasons why people are tempted to use more than one drug. Some of the most common reasons are:

• When one drug fails to produce the desired effect, one tries to achieve it with another drug.
• Trying to counteract the effects of one drug with another (but drugs can't actually do that, they just seem to).
• Avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using drugs.
• Either extend the high or increase its intensity.
• Reducing the amount of one drug used and substituting another.
• Trying to "self-medicate" for physical or mental health conditions.

Are there types of this?

Yes, this situation can be divided into two main types:

1. Intentional polysubstance use: In this case, you knowingly use another drug to enhance the effects of one drug.

2. Unintentional polysubstance use: In this case, you are not aware that the drug you are using is mixed with another drug that you are not aware of. For example, some drugs may be secretly mixed with dangerous substances such as `(Fentanyl)`.

Who is most at risk for this?

You may be at higher risk for this condition for the following reasons:

• If you already suffer from a substance use disorder.
• If someone in your family, that is, a blood relative, suffers from a substance use disorder like this.
• If you have a mental health condition (e.g. depression, anxiety).
• If you are in an environment where drugs are easily available, if you are constantly exposed to them.
• If you have had adverse childhood experiences.

What are the possible complications of this?

There are many complications that can occur from polydrug use. The two most serious of these are overdose and death.

An overdose is when your body gets too much of a toxic drug (one or more) to handle. This can cause your body's organs to stop working. It can even be life-threatening if not treated quickly.

So this is not something to be taken lightly.

How do doctors diagnose this condition?

A doctor will diagnose this condition by talking to you and asking you questions about your symptoms, your drug use history, whether you have ever tried to quit, and how you felt when you did.

You may also have a physical exam to check your general health. You may also have a urine or blood test to help with your treatment to determine exactly what drugs are currently in your system.

The American Psychological Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR) lists several substance use disorders. However, the latest edition does not specifically mention the term "polysubstance use disorder." However, those symptoms are covered under other substance-related disorders.

What is the treatment for this?

There are several main things that can be done to treat polysubstance use disorder:

• Detoxification: Removing harmful substances from the body.
• Counseling/Therapy: Providing psychological and behavioral help.
• Medications: Control some symptoms and reduce addiction.

Your doctor will talk to you, understand your treatment goals, and help you create a treatment plan that works for you. It will help you reduce your drug use or stop it completely.

What is detoxification?

Detoxification is the process of cleansing your body of harmful drugs. To be honest, this is one of the hardest parts of the treatment process. It can be a painful, sometimes even emotionally draining experience. You may feel very unwell for a few days until the drugs are completely eliminated from your body. However, there are some medications that can help relieve these symptoms.

Some people prefer to stay in a hospital or rehabilitation center and undergo this detoxification process under medical supervision. That way, you will have 24-hour support. However, if you prefer to do this from home, there are also outpatient options.

What is counseling/therapy?

Counseling involves setting goals for yourself and working with a mental health counselor to achieve them. The main goals of counseling for polysubstance use disorder are to:

• Helping you understand why you use drugs.
• To further understand yourself, your motivations, and your behaviors.
• Helping you find better ways to deal with stress, conflict, or triggers for substance use.

There are various counseling methods that can help manage this condition. Here are some examples:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): In this, you learn how your thoughts affect your behavior. Then you set goals and work towards them.
• Contingency Management: In this, you set goals and arrange them in such a way that you will receive some kind of reward when you achieve those goals.
• Motivational Enhancement Therapy: This is an approach that encourages you to set achievable goals and take steps to achieve them.
• Family Therapy: This involves connecting with those closest to you who can help you on your journey to recovery. In a safe environment, you can understand each other and work towards common goals.

What medications are given for this?

A doctor may prescribe medication, especially if you have used drugs that include opioids (e.g., heroin, morphine). Opioids are substances that have a strong effect on the body, especially when you are withdrawing from them. Medication can help reduce some of the strong cravings and withdrawal symptoms of addiction.

Here are some of the medications approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for opioids:

• `Buprenorphine`
• `Methadone`
• `Naltrexone`

These medications can also cause side effects. Your doctor will explain these to you before you start taking the medication. To avoid side effects, it is very important that you follow your doctor's instructions exactly and work according to the treatment plan. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

There are also medications to reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms caused by alcohol (e.g., Naltrexone, Disulfiram, Acamprosate). There are also medications for nicotine (cigarettes), such as nicotine replacements, Bupropion, and Varenicline.

How quickly will I recover after treatment?

There is no set time frame that works for everyone, and no one can say for sure how long it will take for you to recover. This is a chronic condition. This means that you will likely have to manage this polysubstance use disorder for the rest of your life.

What is the outlook for this situation?

Your outlook may vary from person to person, and only your doctor can give you an accurate description of what to expect based on your condition.

But remember, polysubstance use disorder is a treatable condition, and recovery is possible. But treatment takes time and effort. You may have to try different treatments to find the one that works best for you.

You may relapse. This means you stop using drugs for a while and then start again. If this happens, you will have to detox again and start the treatment cycle all over again. This can happen several times during your recovery.

But remember, you are not alone on this journey. Your medical team, your loved ones are always with you. They will support you when you need help.

Can this situation be prevented?

There are many things you can do to reduce your risk of developing polydrug use disorder. But it's important to understand that it's not possible to completely prevent this condition. There are many environmental, biological, and social factors that influence the way drugs affect your body.

The best way to reduce your risk of this condition is through education. Learning about how each drug affects the human body will help you understand why they are unsafe.

If you have a polysubstance use disorder, consider keeping these items with you for your safety:

• If an overdose occurs, a drug like ``Naloxone'' can reverse it.
• You can use Fentanyl test strips to check for dangerous substances like Fentanyl in various drugs.
• A phone number of someone you trust who you can call in an emergency.

When should you see a doctor?

If you are using drugs and it is interfering with your health and daily functioning, talk to a doctor. For example, if your desire to be "high" all the time is disrupting your daily routine, you are having trouble going to school or work, you are having trouble keeping up with grades or performance, or you are having trouble maintaining relationships with friends, it is important to seek medical advice at that time. A doctor can help you get the treatment you need.

What to do in an emergency?

If you or a loved one experiences any of the following symptoms of a drug overdose, call emergency services (such as 911) immediately:

• Loss of consciousness (unable to awaken).
• A sound like snoring or snoring.
• Breathing slows down or stops.
• The pupils of the eyes are small and look like the tip of a needle.
• Lips or fingernails appearing discolored (blue).

It may be hard to think about anything other than the drugs you're using at that moment, but know that when you're ready to get help, help is always there.

Asking for help can be one of the hardest things you can do. You can try asking a friend or family member for help. Their encouragement may be the motivation you need to see a doctor.

Recovery is something that can be done. It's important to have a supportive group. Your medical team will be with you every step of the way.

Final Take-Home Message

Okay, so, from what we've talked about, these are the most important things to keep in mind:

• Polysubstance use is very dangerous. It can cause serious harm to your body, mind, and life.
• This is a treatable mental health condition, so never give up hope.
• If you or someone you know is struggling with this, don't be afraid to ask for help. Doctors, counselors, your family, and friends are ready to help you.
• The treatment process can be challenging, but it's worth it. It will go a long way in helping you get your life back on track.
• Recovery is a journey, not something that happens overnight. There may be setbacks along the way, but you will always find the strength to get back up.

If you would like to learn more about this, or if you need help, please reach out to a trusted doctor or mental health counselor . Always remember that you are not alone.

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