Drug addiction and alcoholism are dangerous enough as it is, so imagine how frightening and deadly polysubstance abuse or addiction can prove to be. If you have read through the multiple small line of text on your prescriptions, you may have noticed a key order: never mix your drugs with alcohol (for a very good reason). In many cases, people will mix booze with other drugs like painkillers or depressants in an attempt to boost the power of a high. However, keep in mind that not all instances of polysubstance abuse or addiction are purely intentional, with several occurring completely by accident. Let’s take a closer look at the frightening cocktail of polysubstance use.
A Dangerous Trend
In an unusual twist, people commonly combine alcohol with illegal drugs (or street drugs). In 2011 alone, an estimated 14% of emergency room cases (roughly 520,000 visits) were directly related to an incident involving a mixture of booze and drugs. In fact, researchers concluded that marijuana, cocaine, and heroin are the most popular substances that are mixed with alcohol. Keep in mind that, by itself, alcohol serves as a nervous system depressant, so you can probably imagine how dangerous the outcomes of polysubstance abuse of this degree can be.
Combining Booze and Street Drugs
Besides the overall health risks triggered by consuming street drugs or booze alone, combinations of these dangerous chemicals can result in dangerous health problems. Let’s look at some examples:
- Cocaine: A combination of alcohol and cocaine stimulates the liver into producing cocaethylene, a chemical that can trigger cardiac arrythmia and heart damage.
- Marijuana: For as-of-yet-undetermined reasons, alcohol seems to increase the power of existing THC in the bloodstream, which can make a “high” even more extreme. In fact, marijuana and alcohol-impaired driving is one of the most common DUI cases.
- Heroin: Both heroin and alcohol function as nervous system depressants. A combination of these mind-numbing drugs can trigger extremely dangerous overdoses and respiratory problems (and, in the worst-case scenario, death).
No matter what drugs are being consumed, the true danger of polysubstance abuse lies in the fact that you can develop an addict to both alcohol and the sister drug at the same time. As a result, victims will have to undergo polysubstance treatment plans and more rigorous forms of therapy. Also, withdrawal and detox can be even more severe, as the body will be forced to purge multiple toxins.
Seeking Treatment for Drug Abuse or Addiction
Drug addiction and alcoholism are serious mental illnesses that can and will destroy the mind and body. On the same note, addiction will not only drive a massive wedge into your social life but also potentially destroy your private family life, especially if you are already dealing with an underlying behavioral problem or relationship issues as it is.
If you are suffering from a severe case of drug abuse or alcoholism or have a friend or loved one who is coping with this illness, get in touch with Asana Recovery today. Our professional team of counselors and healthcare experts will help you endure the painful process detox and withdrawal and guide you through each step of the rehabilitation process to help you overcome your attachment to dangerous drugs and alcoholic drinks.
If you want to find out more about our residential treatment or supervised detoxification/withdrawal programs or enroll in one of these programs today, we are ready and waiting to speak with you at your leisure and your disclosure. Call Asana now at (949) 438-4504 to learn how you can overcome your mental illness and take an extra step toward becoming a healthier person.
