META: All addictions are dangerous but abusing more than one drug at a time can be especially dangerous. Recovery from polysubstance abuse is multifaceted and it must be treated holistically.
Polysubstance abuse or abuse of two or more substances at the same time can be, and often is, very dangerous. Not only are the side effects of each individual drug present, like breathing difficulties from cocaine and possible blackouts from alcohol but those side effects can also be augmented by the other drug(s). For example, when you abuse heroin and cocaine together, your breathing could get even more difficult than it would be on one substance alone. Polysubstance abuse can also lead to new side effects that the user cannot anticipate. Some of the most common polysubstance abuse combinations are alcohol and cocaine, heroin and cocaine, and heroin and alcohol.
What Happens When You Take Alcohol and Cocaine Together?
Alcohol and cocaine are a commonly abused pair. Many people feel that the combination of cocaine and alcohol balances the unpleasant side effects of each separate drug outs. Cocaine allows the person to continue abusing alcohol longer by keeping them awake. The alcohol, in turn, helps the person feel calm while coming down off the cocaine high. There are several other reasons that people take alcohol and cocaine together.
- Cocaine stops the mental “slow-down” that alcohol can sometimes cause
- Cocaine causes a greater rise in the blood alcohol concentration after consuming alcoholic drinks vs. when alcohol is consumed alone
- Alcohol helps the effects of cocaine last longer
However, there are negative side effects to abusing alcohol and cocaine at the same time beyond the side effects of the individual substances. Both cocaine and alcohol are processed through the liver. This puts a strain on the internal organs.
- Brain damage from brain tissue death
- Increased blood pressure
- Breathing problems
- Heart disease
- Cranial hemorrhages
The behavior patterns and statistics involved in the polysubstance abuse of cocaine and alcohol are also bad. Using multiple drugs can not only affect how you feel, but it can also affect your behavior.
- 40% of people who develop a cocaine abuse disorder report lifetime alcohol abuse
- Together, alcohol and cocaine increased homicidal behavior
- Together, alcohol and cocaine increase suicidal behavior
Heroin and Cocaine Polysubstance Abuse
Using heroin and cocaine together is common. Unfortunately, it is also very risky. The heroin and cocaine build on each other to produce a more intense high. Most people who abuse heroin also abuse another substance. Heroin depresses the nervous system in the brain. Cocaine stimulates it. Cocaine requires a large amount of oxygen to process safely. Heroin depresses the respiratory rate, making it hard for the body to get the oxygen it needs to process the cocaine. The use of cocaine and heroin together is commonly called a “speedball.”
Can Heroin and Cocaine Damage the Body?
Many people who take cocaine and heroin together think each substance will balance out the other’s negative side effects. Unfortunately, the effect is the opposite. The body is pushed and pulled in several different ways by the very different drugs. This can cause stress to the heart, lungs, and brain.
When Used Alone, Heroin Causes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- An extremely itchy feeling
- Slower breathing
- Drowsiness
- Clouded mental function
- Slowed heart function
- Slowed breathing
Heroin can slow breathing to the point where coma and/or death occur.
When Used Alone, Cocaine Causes:
- Anger/irritability
- Paranoia
- Hypersensitivity to touch, sound, and sight
When Using Cocaine and Heroin You Can Expect:
- Uncontrollable movements
- Confusion or incoherence
- Blurred vision
- Impairment due to lack of sleep
- Paranoia
- Stupor
Can Heroin and Alcohol Be Damaging?
People who abuse heroin often also abuse alcohol at the same time. Many find that the sedative effects of alcohol and heroin enhance each other. People who are addicted to alcohol are twice as likely to become addicted to heroin at some point in their lives.
What is Narcan?
Narcan, also known as naloxone, can reverse an opioid overdose. Several common opioids are Oxycontin, fentanyl, and heroin. However, Narcan will not reverse the effects of any non-opioid drugs like cocaine. Narcan will only work on opioid overdoses. You will still need to see a physician quickly if you take Narcan for an opioid overdose.
What Should I Do if Someone Overdoses?
When you encounter someone who is overdosing or who you believe is experiencing an overdose, you should:
- Call 9-1-1
- Contact Poison Control
- Do not leave the person alone
- Begin CPR if necessary
- Collect all pills, powders, liquids, or any other substances the person has used for the medical personnel to analyze
- Be prepared to give emergency personnel details about what happened, information on any medical conditions the person experiencing overdose might have, and any other relevant information you can think of
Is Treating Polysubstance Abuse Easier than Treating Single Substance Abuse?
Treating polysubstance abuse conditions can be very complicated. Many clinics keep people who are detoxifying from polysubstance abuse under 24-hour watch. This is because the way that someone detoxifies from alcohol and the way that someone detoxifies from cocaine can be different, and detoxification from multiple substances can be unpredictable. Keeping the person stable can sometimes be a delicate process in any detox situation, and it is not recommended for the person to try self-detoxification at home or try quitting “cold turkey”.
Is it Hard to Recovery from Addiction to Multiple Drugs?
Some substances tend to numb people to their feelings after they abuse drugs for too long. When someone starts to experience their emotions again, it can be dramatic. Combine this with an inability to sleep after coming off of sleeping pills and other related substances. The experience can be frightening. This is why it is so important to find a reputable addiction recovery clinic. A reputable clinic will be able to guide you through those feelings and help you start a long-lasting recovery.
Dual Diagnosis Substance Abuse
Polysubstance abuse treatment can be even further complicated if the patient has co-occurring disorders. Co-occurring disorders or dual diagnosis is when a person with a substance abuse disorder has another mental health disorder occurring at the same time.
- People with mood and anxiety disorders are twice as likely to have an addiction disorder
- People with severe mental health conditions are four times as likely to abuse alcohol (alcohol abuse is considered taking four or more drinks a day)
Is there an Easy Recovery from the Abuse of Multiple Drugs?
Recovery from polysubstance abuse is a lifelong journey, just like recovery from addiction to a single substance. When someone has a co-occurring disorder, their journey of recovery should include a mental health professional such as a therapist, medication, as well as the traditional 12-step program.
How do you Recover from Polysubstance Abuse?
Both polysubstance abuse and single substance abuse programs include the traditional:
- Detoxification
- Residential treatment
- Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)
- Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)
Substance Abuse Education
Addiction treatment facilities also educate people about drugs and drug use. People can not only use this information to help themselves, but they can also use it to educate others. This can be very useful if the person wants to help others understand their condition, including employers and family members.
Can Meditation Help Me Recover from Polysubstance Abuse?
Coping skills such as meditation and yoga are also helpful for people who are suffering from polysubstance abuse as well as people who are suffering from more traditionally known substance abuse.
Therapy and Substance Abuse
One of the most useful components of drug rehabilitation therapy is the therapy itself. There are many types of therapy for people with an addiction disorder. Some of the most often-used therapies are:
- Psychotherapy
- Family therapy
- Marriage counseling
- CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)
What is CBT?
CBT is a newer therapy. Instead of focusing on finding the root of addictive behavior, CBT focuses on changing negative and inaccurate thoughts and thought patterns. This helps the client see situations more clearly. This helps them react more effectively and healthfully. CBT can be very draining at times. Many patients feel a variety of emotions, including anger and sadness. Sometimes, CBT brings a patient to confront things and/or feelings that they would rather avoid.
What is a 12-Step Program?
The 12-step program was developed by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith in 1935. During the program, you work through twelve ‘steps’ or phases that strengthen you in your road to recovery. The 12-step program does not accept any donations from any companies. It relies exclusively on contributions to existing members. There are 12-step programs around the country. There are two different 12-step programs. NA (Narcotics Anonymous) and AA (Alcoholics Anonymous).
How Do I Get Help for Polysubstance Abuse?
Polysubstance abuse can be treated using many techniques that are used in single substance abuse treatment. However, the progress someone makes during their clinical recovery journey might be far more unpredictable than a single substance user’s journey.
We at _______ will be with you throughout your clinical recovery journey from the moment that you choose to enter our clinic to the last moment of aftercare when you choose to start your new life.
When you are ready to get help, please contact us or call us at:
References:
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/cocaine/what-cocaine
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatment-approaches-drug-addiction
Rebecca Baskett 
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