Polysubstance Abuse

Drug and alcohol addiction present different issues from person to person. In fact, one man may be solely addicted to alcohol, while another might not care what substances he uses. Polysubstance abuse can be especially complicated and dangerous. Moreover, people who abuse more than one drug put themselves at great risk for serious consequences. Getting treatment is not only crucial, it’s also potentially lifesaving.

Polysubstance abuse is the act of taking more than one drug at a time or not being particular about the drugs one takes.

Sometimes, people don’t realize they’re engaging in this type of drug abuse. They might be unaware of the dangers of mixing various drugs, especially if they’re taking a prescription.

Others, however, use for the sole purpose of getting high. Furthermore, they don’t have a preferred drug, so they might take anything offered. This can be very dangerous and life-threatening.

Doctors ask about all medicines a person takes in order to avoid the dangers of polysubstance abuse. Some drugs interact negatively with others, and mixing them can have harmful effects on a person’s health.

For example, specific dangers in polysubstance abuse include:

• Unpredictability of the effects of different drugs taken together
• Increased risk of overdose
• Worsening of co-occurring disorders
• Increased risk of serious health problems

In addition, substance abuse treatment can be complicated when more than one drug is involved. The best care plan for one drug might not be suitable for another. However, if a person uses various substances, medical professionals will have to figure out the safest way to treat him. This is very tricky in cases of overdose.

Negative effects of any drug can be heightened when other drugs are used simultaneously. Even if someone knows what to expect when using one drug, if he uses different amounts, he has no idea what can happen in combining more than one substance.

Using various substances increases complications for people with co-occurring disorder, or the presence of a mental health disorder along with addiction. In addition, symptoms of depression or anxiety may be more pronounced when someone abuses multiple substances.

When a person decides to get the treatment she needs and checks into rehab, even the detox process can be more complicated. Accurate diagnosis and devising the best course of treatment are easier with full disclosure. Someone who’s used different drugs isn’t always as forthcoming about what they used; in some cases, they might not even be able to recall all the substances they took. This can delay recovery until medical professionals can create a treatment plan that addresses all known substances.

Crest View Recovery Center is an addiction treatment facility in the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina. Specifically, we offer you the chance to heal from drug and alcohol abuse.

Our addiction therapy programs include:

• Individual therapy
• Group therapy program
• Family therapy program
• Gender-specific group therapy
• Psychotherapy

While we understand how important it is for you to begin the recovery process here, we also prepare you to face life after rehab. We rely on reality therapy, which gives our clients the chance to experience real-life events. This includes everything from fun weekend activities to everyday chores. Moreover, you’ll do this in a supervised environment where you’re safe and comfortable.

Our wellness overall approach involves treating the whole person. We offer yoga, meditation, and nutritional counseling to promote full-body and mental health.

Let the caring staff at CVRC partner with you as you work toward a sober, brighter future. Call us at 866-986-1371 today. It’s time you started your recovery, free from addiction.