Polysubstance abuse occurs when an individual consumes two or more substances within a short window of time. This can happen simultaneously, taking two drugs at once, or sequentially, taking one drug to counteract or enhance the effects of another. While the term sounds clinical, the reality is a growing public health crisis that complicates the recovery journey for thousands of residents across New Jersey.
At Rolling Hills Recovery Center, we believe that understanding the complexities of chemical dependency is the first step toward healing. Addiction is rarely a straight line, and many who seek help are struggling with the physical and psychological weight of multiple dependencies. Whether it is mixing prescription medications with alcohol or using illicit stimulants alongside opioids, the risks are significantly higher than using a single substance.
If you or a loved one is seeking comprehensive support, finding the right addiction treatment in New Jersey is essential to navigating these multifaceted challenges safely.
What is Polysubstance Abuse?
To put it simply, what is polysubstance abuse? It is the use of multiple substances, whether illicit drugs, prescription medications, or alcohol, to achieve a specific high or to manage the withdrawal symptoms of another substance. In many cases, users may not even realize they are engaging in polysubstance use. For instance, consuming a street drug that has been unknowingly laced with a synthetic opioid like fentanyl is a common form of unintentional polysubstance use.
Polysubstance Abuse Disorder and Clinical Definitions
In clinical settings, professionals may diagnose an individual with polysubstance abuse disorder. This diagnosis is applied when a person uses multiple groups of substances, and no single substance predominates the clinical picture. This indicates a pattern of use where the individual is seeking the effect of intoxication rather than a specific drug.
The ICD-10 Code for Polysubstance Abuse
For medical documentation and insurance processing, the ICD-10 code for polysubstance abuse falls under the F19 category. Specifically, F19.20 is often used to denote other psychoactive substance dependence, uncomplicated. These codes are essential for healthcare providers to ensure that the patient’s medical history accurately reflects the complexity of their chemical dependency.
Common Substance Combinations and Their Dangers
Different drug combinations create different, often lethal, physiological reactions. Understanding these synergistic effects is crucial because the combination is often much stronger than the sum of its parts.
- Alcohol and Opioids: Both are central nervous system depressants. Combining them can lead to extreme respiratory depression, where the heart and lungs simply stop.
- Stimulants and Opioids (Speedballing): Mixing uppers like cocaine with downers like heroin or fentanyl. This puts a massive strain on the heart, as the body receives conflicting signals to speed up and slow down simultaneously.
- Benzodiazepines and Alcohol: This common combination is extremely dangerous. It severely impairs motor skills and can lead to fatal overdoses even in relatively small doses.
Signs and Symptoms of Polysubstance Abuse
Recognizing the signs of multiple drug use can be more difficult than identifying a single addiction because the symptoms often overlap or mask one another. Families and clinicians should look for:
- Dramatic Mood Swings: Rapid shifts between extreme euphoria and deep depression or irritability.
- Physical Changes: Bloodshot eyes, sudden weight loss or gain, and changes in sleep patterns (insomnia followed by excessive sleeping).
- Cognitive Decline: Confusion, memory loss, and difficulty focusing on daily tasks.
- Social Isolation: Withdrawing from family, friends, and hobbies to spend time using different substances.
- High Tolerance: Needing significantly larger amounts of substances to feel any effect.
Risks, Complications, and the Overdose Danger
The primary risk of polysubstance use is the increased likelihood of a fatal overdose. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), polysubstance use is a major factor in the rising rates of drug-related deaths.
When multiple drugs are in the system, it becomes much harder for first responders to reverse an overdose. For example, Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse an opioid overdose, but it will not have an effect on alcohol or benzodiazepines that may also be present in the user’s system. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights that the presence of synthetic opioids like fentanyl in other illicit drugs has made the overdose landscape much more unpredictable.
The Connection to Mental Health: Co-occurring Disorders
It is very common for polysubstance use to overlap with mental health struggles. This is known as integrated dual diagnosis care for co-occurring disorders. Many individuals use various substances to mask symptoms of untreated depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Because multiple substances are involved, the symptoms of mental illness can be masked or severely exacerbated. This is why dual diagnosis treatment is a cornerstone of effective recovery. We must treat the mind and the addiction together to prevent the cycle of self-medication from repeating. Integrated care ensures that both the substance use and the underlying mental health condition are addressed simultaneously.
Polysubstance Abuse Trends in New Jersey
New Jersey faces a unique set of challenges regarding drug trends. The state has seen a significant shift toward the presence of fentanyl in almost all illicit drug supplies. In local communities from Newark to Cherry Hill, hidden polysubstance use is a primary driver of local emergency room visits. According to the New Jersey Department of Health, a vast majority of drug-related fatalities in the state now involve more than one substance, often a combination of an opioid and a stimulant or a sedative.
How Polysubstance Abuse is Treated
Treating polysubstance use is more intensive and requires a higher level of medical monitoring. Unlike single-substance addiction, the withdrawal process can involve multiple systems of the body reacting at once. See more drug abuse treatment programs.
- Clinical Supervision: While Rolling Hills Recovery Center focuses on therapeutic rehabilitation, we ensure that all clients have successfully completed a medical detox, if necessary, before beginning our programs.
- Inpatient vs. Outpatient Care: For many with polysubstance issues, inpatient care provides the necessary structure and 24/7 support. Outpatient care is often a vital step-down phase that helps reintegrate individuals into society.
- Integrated Behavioral Therapy: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) help patients identify the triggers that lead to using multiple substances.
- Relapse Prevention: Polysubstance recovery requires a robust relapse prevention plan, as the brain’s reward system has been impacted by multiple chemicals.
Start Your Recovery at Rolling Hills Recovery Center
Recovery from multiple substances is a marathon, not a sprint. At Rolling Hills Recovery Center, we provide the specialized care needed to navigate these complexities. Our programs are designed to be inclusive, accepting various insurance plans to make the admissions process as seamless as possible.
You don’t have to face the confusion of polysubstance abuse without support. Our New Jersey facility offers a compassionate, evidence-based path to sobriety, helping you or your loved one build a foundation for a healthy, drug-free future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can You Get Treatment for Multiple Drug Addictions at Once?
Yes. In fact, integrated treatment is the most effective way to recover. Treating only one substance while ignoring another often leads to a quick relapse. Comprehensive programs address the behavioral patterns behind all substance use.
What is the Most Dangerous Drug Combination?
While all combinations are risky, mixing central nervous system depressants (like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines) is exceptionally lethal because it can cause the heart and lungs to stop. Mixing stimulants and opioids (speedballing) is also highly dangerous due to the strain on the cardiovascular system.
How Do You Detox From More Than One Substance?
Detoxing from multiple substances requires a medically supervised environment. Because different drugs have different withdrawal timelines and symptoms, clinicians must monitor the patient's vital signs closely to prevent complications like seizures or severe dehydration.
How Long Does Polysubstance Recovery Take?
Recovery is a lifelong journey, but initial intensive treatment often lasts between 30 and 90 days, depending on the severity of the addictions and the presence of any co-occurring mental health conditions.
