What is Polysubstance Abuse & What are the Symptoms?
Almost everyone understands the basics of substance abuse. While the details can be blurry at times, most people understand that it’s a significant problem throughout our country. Fewer people, however, are familiar with polysubstance abuse. Unfortunately, in many ways, it’s even worse.
Polysubstance abuse occurs when someone uses different classes of substances without regard for one in particular. The substances can be taken within a short time of another, all at once, or individually. Let’s dive a little deeper into what polysubstance abuse looks like and the common symptoms.
What Does Polysubstance Abuse Look Like?
Polysubstance abuse is more common than most people realize. It’s very easy for individuals to take multiple drugs—either at once or within a short period—for various reasons. Some are part of a party culture where different substances are passed around and experimented with. Others are chasing different highs that they no longer get from using just one substance at a time.
In 2019 alone, nearly half of the deaths caused by drug overdoses in the U.S. included multiple substances. Mixing different types of drugs is extremely dangerous, and many people who fall victim to polysubstance abuse end up accidentally overdosing because of the cocktails of substances they are ingesting.
What Are the Symptoms?
The symptoms of polysubstance abuse can be quite different from “traditional” substance abuse, where the individual uses a drug of choice. Some of the most common symptoms include:
Higher tolerance for one (or multiple) substances.
Using a drug to prevent withdrawal symptoms.
Repeated use of more drugs than intended or planned.
Excessive amount of time studying or researching different drugs.
Like regular substance abuse, polysubstance abuse can also greatly interfere with an individual’s life. The dependency on different substances can damage your health, relationships, and career. You could also be practicing self-harm when you’re relying on different drugs. Your body could go through a variety of physical or psychological changes that cause long-term damage, even if you stop taking certain drugs.
What Can You Do?
If you or someone you know is struggling with polysubstance abuse, it’s never too late to seek help. Polysubstance abuse can be a complicated issue to treat, but it’s not impossible. The best way to start treatment is to get to the root cause of the abuse. Many people turn to substances as a way to numb other feelings. It’s not uncommon for individuals who have experienced trauma or extremely stressful events to seek out substances. When one substance doesn’t fill that void, they might turn to others to get the kind of high they truly want or need.
A therapist can help you or a loved one get to that root cause. Dealing with the underlying issue, as difficult as it may be, is a positive step forward. From there, therapy can help you turn toward healthier coping mechanisms. There are many ways to combat anxiety, depression, or the effects of trauma without turning to drugs. Sober living is about finding those coping mechanisms and utilizing them, even when you experience triggering moments.
In some cases, a detox or rehabilitation program may be necessary before therapy begins. Again, it’s not an easy road. However, it’s a necessary one if the individual wants to take control of their life again. Help is available, and you’re not alone. If you’ve fallen into the trap of polysubstance abuse or know someone who has, feel free to reach out. Together, let’s discover how substance use counseling can help you find the root issue of and take active steps toward a clean, sober future.
