Although mixing drugs and alcohol may be common, especially in the party scene, it is not a safe practice by any means. You can quickly become addicted to multiple substances and suffer more severe consequences. The safest, most effective way to address polysubstance abuse is with an evidence-based substance abuse treatment program.
For high-quality polysubstance addiction treatment in Massachusetts, contact Promises Washburn House at 855.298.3104. Our highly skilled team will provide you with the compassionate care and expertise needed to guide you through recovery and toward a sober lifestyle.
What Is Polysubstance Abuse?
Polysubstance abuse refers to misusing multiple substances, which could mean using two or more substances simultaneously or at different times. Some common examples of polysubstance abuse are:
- Drinking alcohol while smoking marijuana
- Using party drugs while drinking alcohol
- Using methamphetamine to energize you during the day and benzodiazepines to relax at night
- Consuming alcohol while on a prescription opioid for pain relief
Combining drugs and alcohol in this way can be risky, exposing you to more complications than using any one substance alone.
Do You Need Polysubstance Abuse Treatment?
How do you know if you need polysubstance abuse treatment? The following are signs that mixing drugs or alcohol may be endangering your well-being, and you should reach out for help:
- You have started experiencing health problems that were not there before you combined substances – Certain drugs and alcohol interact with one another and can introduce new issues like insomnia, anxiety, constipation, dizziness, and nausea.
- You are engaging in risky behavior under the influence of substances – Combining stimulants can make you feel invincible while mixing depressants can lower your inhibitions. This can make you more likely to participate in dangerous activities like driving under the influence, getting into fights, or having unprotected sex. Polysubstance abuse can also make you more vulnerable to physical or sexual attacks.
- You schedule appointments with more than one doctor to get extra prescriptions for painkillers, benzodiazepines, or amphetamines – Doctors exercise caution when prescribing certain medications to prevent misuse. This limits how often they renew prescriptions, but some people try to get around this restriction by obtaining multiple prescriptions from different physicians. If you practice this activity, known as doctor shopping, it is a sure sign that you are heading toward addiction.
- You have noticed that the dosages of drugs or alcohol you had been using no longer provide the same effects – When you need to increase your dosage of substances to achieve the same level of pain relief, euphoria, or relaxation, you have developed a tolerance to the substance. This can lead to dependence and addiction.
These are just a few indicators that you may benefit from the help of a polysubstance abuse treatment program. Addiction to multiple substances can be trickier to overcome, but with professional help, the process will be much easier and more comfortable.
How Can a Polysubstance Abuse Treatment Program Help?
Quitting drugs or alcohol on your own can be tempting. You avoid disrupting your life with inpatient or outpatient rehab sessions and do not have the expense of addiction treatment. But can an at-home detox be successful? Some people manage to overcome very mild addictions on their own by either quitting cold turkey or tapering their dosage. However, the success rate for this strategy is fairly low for those with moderate to severe addictions. This is also true for those engaging in polysubstance abuse.
Enrolling in a polysubstance abuse treatment program offers the following benefits:
- You have access to an experienced team of addiction treatment staff.
- You will receive the appropriate medications to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
- You will be prescribed medications to address co-occurring mental health conditions like bipolar disorder and anxiety.
- In your therapy sessions, you will work through the issues that led you to misuse multiple substances.
Additionally, those who commit to an addiction treatment program experience fewer relapses. It can help you achieve a healthier recovery.
Polysubstance Addiction Treatment in Massachusetts at Promises Washburn House
Polysubstance abuse can be especially hazardous to your health and well-being, but you can overcome it. Contact Promises Washburn House at 855.298.3104 or fill out our online form to learn more about how we treat polysubstance addiction.