Polysubstance Abuse

What is Polysubstance Abuse?

ICD 10 Polysubstance Abuse 

 By definition, polysubstance abuse happens when a person consumes two or more drugs, including alcohol, regularly over an extended period. Use can be either simultaneously or separately. Previously, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5) included polysubstance abuse in its listings of mental health problems.

However, the DSM-5 has removed polysubstance dependence as a disorder. Also, the diagnostic terms “dependence” and “abuse” have been centralized and renamed “substance use disorder.”

According to the DSM-5, someone must present at least three of the following symptoms to meet professional criteria defining polysubstance disorder:

ICD 10 Codes

 ICD 10 codes are for billing drug and alcohol-related issues. Drug abuse is a complex, biopsychosocial disease emerging from the interplay of genetics, history of childhood abuse/neglect, environmental factors, and personality traits. Polysubstance abuse disorder also emerges from these variables’ interaction but is reinforced by other drug addiction aspects as a disease.

For example, some people’s brain-body chemistry makes it more challenging to feel high. Consequently, they may find that drinking alcohol while smoking marijuana gives the sensations they crave. Once the brain becomes addicted to the combination of alcohol and pot, the person continues using these two drugs together.

Another scenario may involve an individual addicted to heroin who suffers a severe and painful injury. Unfortunately, the physician prescribing pain medication knows nothing about their patient’s heroin addiction. As a result, the person mixes heroin with pain pills, the intense high cross-addicts them to both heroin and painkillers.

Cross Addiction

Among opioid abusers, polysubstance abuse is “considered the norm instead of the exception.” These three drugs are often cross-addicted with alcohol and cocaine.

Alternately, amphetamine addicts abuse alcohol and opioids to help them “come down” off a speed high. However, it isn’t unusual for a polysubstance abuser to be addicted to various drugs, especially if they have a strong family history of drug and alcohol disorders and undiagnosed mental or physical illnesses.

Diagnosing Polysubstance Abuse

It can be difficult to diagnose polysubstance abuse if someone is only aware of one substance being used. To be diagnosed with this condition requires meeting certain criteria. First, the person must be using a minimum of three substances. This doesn’t count nicotine or caffeine, which may also be addictive.

Furthermore, the person must exhibit at least three symptoms within 12 months from this list:

It’s important to note that it is possible to have multiple addictions, which is not the same as polysubstance addiction.

For example, a person may be addicted to cocaine, heroin, and alcohol and require more of these specific substances. This is an instance of multiple addictions rather than a polysubstance addiction.

For a case to be a true polysubstance addiction, the person is addicted to the effects of substances, and the particular substance used is a secondary consideration for them. They simply stick with the same three or more substances because of convenience and easy access.

The Risks of Polysubstance Abuse 

Specific short-term and long-term effects related to polysubstance abuse will differ according to the particular combination of substances.

Mixing Stimulants

Examples of stimulants: are ecstasy (MDMA), cocaine, methamphetamines, amphetamines (speed). Stimulants (also known as uppers) can increase your heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels and increase your risk of several serious health problems. Combining stimulants may even directly or indirectly increase your risk of:

Signs of use/overdose that may occur when mixing stimulants:

Mixing Depressants

Examples of depressants: are opioids (heroin, morphine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, fentanyl), and benzodiazepines. Depressants (also known as downers) can slow down your breathing and increase your risk of several adverse health outcomes. Combining depressants can also directly or indirectly increase your risk of:

Signs of use/overdose5,6 when mixing depressants:

Mixing Stimulants and Depressants

Mixing stimulants and depressants don’t balance or cancel them out. In fact, the results of combining drugs are unpredictable, often modifying or even masking the effects of one or both drugs. This may trick you into thinking that the drugs are not affecting you, making it easier to overdose.

Drinking alcohol while using other drugs

Drinking alcohol while using other drugs isn’t safe. Alcohol is a depressant with similar effects to other downers. Mixing alcohol with other drugs can increase your risk of overdose and severe damage to the brain, heart, and other organs.

Polysubstance Abuse Symptoms 

Continued use causes a variety of physical and mental changes as the body adjusts to the presence of these substances. The symptoms produced will vary depending on the type of substance used and how it is administered. Polysubstance abuse can impair one’s ability to think and understand things, leading to a wide range of behavioral changes. The following are some of the most common symptoms of polysubstance addiction:

As a result, there are certain risks associated with each type of drug abuse. However, when two substances (particularly illicit narcotics) are abused concurrently, the dangers become much more pronounced.

Polysubstance Abuse Effects 

A person may mix substances to enhance the effect of a single substance or drug, feel the effects of the substances together, or decrease the effects of a substance. Combining drugs can have serious consequences.

Health Problems

Alcohol and drugs harm the body. Using multiple drugs puts an individual at risk of developing or worsening health issues. The resulting health problems can be short or long-term. Mixing drugs can cause damage to vital organs like the brain and liver, and can lead to health complications such as:

Worsening Mental Disorders

In some cases, substance use can lead to mental health symptoms. A person may self-medicate or use drugs to manage their symptoms in other cases. Either way, taking drugs or combining them can worsen mental health symptoms and make them worse. This includes using substances on top of prescription medications for mental health conditions.

Relapse

Relapse prevention is a crucial part of treatment and recovery. Polysubstance use can make it hard for someone to be consistent with treatment. It can also lead to relapse. Relapse is serious and, depending on the situation, can increase the risk of health problems and overdose[3].

Overdose

The risk of overdosing is higher when using multiple drugs, especially when one of them is an opioid. Depending on the type of drug, the effect on the body can vary. When drugs are taken together, the effects can be intensified. For example, taking more than one depressant drug can increase the risk of overdose or death. According to the CDC, almost half of overdose deaths in the United States in 2019 were related to polysubstance use.

Reclaim Your Life with NJ Based Treatments

There is a strong link between mental health and polysubstance abuse. Individuals who struggle with mood disorders like depression and anxiety are more susceptible to developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol, often to self-medicate symptoms of their underlying mental health condition. These co-occurring disorders can make each other worse without proper treatment.

To determine the most effective ways to treat polysubstance, it’s crucial to first get an accurate assessment of all the symptoms. When the symptoms have been evaluated by a mental health professional, it may be determined that another form of mental condition is present and needs a particular type of treatment. Very often, some combination of psychotherapy, medication, and/or lifestyle changes are effective for coping with functional.

Detox Treatment in New Jersey Rehab Center

Because polysubstance abuse involves using multiple drugs, the first step in treatment is detoxification. It will help you navigate the complicated withdrawal process, but it doesn’t address patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to drug abuse. Various treatment approaches and settings can help provide the ongoing support necessary to maintain long-term sobriety after you complete detox.

Cravings are very common during detox and can be challenging to overcome. This often leads to relapse. Constant medical care provided during inpatient treatment helps prevent relapse. Clinicians can provide necessary medication and medical expertise to lessen cravings and the effects of withdrawals.

Psychotherapy

Several different modalities of psychotherapy have been used in the treatment of depression including:

“My Life Today Is Beyond My Wildest Dreams”, Recovery From Alcohol Addiction & Substance Abuse Video

Addiction Recovery Story and Testimonial Video

“At the end of the day, like when you really think about it, like my life today is beyond my wildest dreams.

Back then, I wasn’t able to even want the life that I have now. I wasn’t even able to dream that up. To dream up the, for the most part, peace of mind, for the most part, being able to show up for my family, to be able to buy a home, to be able to care for my dogs, and to be able to be engaged and be in a healthy relationship. You know, these are all things that I wasn’t even able to realize that I wanted because I was so, you know, either blurred out by alcohol or substances or just stuck in my own head.

So I would say, life beyond my wildest dreams is very much true for me today.”

Does Addiction Rehab Work?

Longer stays in treatment frequently result in better outcomes, however success can vary from person to person. Detox alone is rarely beneficial for long-term recovery. Does treatment work? Attending treatment increases a person’s chances of long-term recovery compared to not attending.