When we think of addiction, we often imagine a person struggling with one specific substance, such as alcohol, opioids, stimulants, or another drug. However, for many people, addiction isn’t limited to just one substance. It involves the use of multiple drugs at once or switching between them regularly. This is known as polysubstance abuse, and it’s more common (and more dangerous) than most people realize.
At New Directions, we have specialized expertise in treating individuals who use more than one substance, often in combination with mental health challenges. Understanding the unique risks of polysubstance use is an important first step in finding the right support and breaking the cycle.
What Is Polysubstance Abuse?
Polysubstance abuse refers to the use of two or more substances either at the same time or within a short time period. It can involve any combination of legal or illegal substances, including:
- Alcohol
- Prescription drugs (opioids, benzodiazepines, stimulants)
- Marijuana
- Cocaine or other stimulants
- Heroin or synthetic opioids (like fentanyl)
- Hallucinogens or club drugs
In many cases, people don’t set out to misuse multiple substances. It happens gradually, starting with one drug and adding another to intensify the effect, reduce withdrawal symptoms, or “come down” from a high.
Common Patterns of Polysubstance Use
Polysubstance use isn’t always obvious. It can look different depending on the person and their reasons for using. Some examples include:
- Mixing alcohol with benzodiazepines or opioids, which increases the risk of respiratory depression and overdose
- Using stimulants (like cocaine or Adderall) to stay awake, followed by marijuana or sedatives to sleep
- Taking prescription medications with recreational drugs to enhance the experience or manage side effects
- Using substances alternately depending on availability, mood, or social setting
These combinations often form an unpredictable and dangerous pattern, both physically and emotionally.
Why Is Polysubstance Abuse So Dangerous?
Unpredictable Drug Interactions
When multiple substances are used together, they can interact in ways that are hard to predict. One drug may intensify the effects of another, slow down the body’s ability to metabolize it, or mask symptoms of overdose.
These interactions can be fatal, especially when combining depressants like alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines. In fact, in 2017, nearly ¾ of cocaine overdose deaths also involved an opioid, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Higher Risk of Overdose
People who use multiple substances are at significantly higher risk of accidental overdose. That’s because the effects of one drug may cloud your ability to recognize when you’ve had too much of another. In some cases, individuals may accidentally take two drugs with similar effects, leading to life-threatening sedation or slowed breathing.
Worsened Mental Health Symptoms
Polysubstance abuse often coexists with anxiety, depression, PTSD, or bipolar disorder, and in some cases, may even trigger new mental health conditions.
Because these conditions are deeply interconnected, treatment must address both simultaneously. At New Directions, we specialize in dual diagnosis care, helping individuals understand the relationship between their substance use and mental health, and offering integrated support for both.
Greater Dependence and Withdrawal Challenges
Each substance comes with its own withdrawal symptoms and timeline. When someone is dependent on multiple substances, withdrawal can be more intense, unpredictable, and dangerous without medical supervision. This is one of the reasons professional support is so critical for individuals facing polysubstance abuse.
Why Polysubstance Abuse Happens
There are many reasons someone may begin using multiple substances:
- Tolerance: Over time, the body adapts to a drug, and people may add other substances to achieve the same effect.
- Self-medication: Many people use different drugs to cope with mental health issues, trauma, or emotional pain.
- Environmental influences: Certain social settings or friend groups normalize using more than one substance at a time.
- Accidental misuse: Some prescription medications can unintentionally become part of a polysubstance pattern when mixed with alcohol or recreational drugs.
What starts as “just trying something new” or “taking the edge off” can quickly spiral into a pattern that feels hard to break.
How We Treat Polysubstance Abuse at New Directions
Because polysubstance abuse is so complex, treatment must be personalized, comprehensive, and integrated.
At New Directions, we offer:
- Individual and group counseling that addresses both substance use and underlying emotional challenges
- Dual diagnosis care for co-occurring mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD
- Medical support, including psychiatric evaluations and medication-assisted treatment when appropriate (e.g., Suboxone® or Vivitrol®)
- Peer recovery advocates who bring lived experience and support
- Art therapy and creative outlets as additional paths toward healing
- Flexible scheduling, including evening and weekend hours
- Virtual and in-person options, so care is always within reach
We understand that every recovery journey is different and believe that no one should have to navigate it alone.
When to Seek Help
If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse, it’s time to talk to someone. Warning signs may include:
- Frequent blackouts or memory gaps
- Using different drugs to cope with different emotions
- Combining prescription drugs with alcohol or other substances
- Difficulty stopping one or more substances without withdrawal
- Increasing secrecy or defensiveness around substance use
Talk to Someone Who Understands
At New Directions, we provide compassionate, judgment-free care for individuals struggling with substance abuse, polysubstance abuse, and/or co-occurring mental health issues. Our goal is to help you regain control, rebuild trust, and move toward lasting recovery on your terms.
Call our intake coordinator at (347) 971-5862 or click here to request a confidential consultation online.