There are a wide range of reasons why polysubstance use is dangerous for those suffering from a drug or alcohol addiction. More people in the United States die from overdoses currently than ever before, and most of the time it’s found that the person wasn’t taking only one substance. The disease of addiction inhibits the prefrontal cortex of the brain because the pleasure system is running unrestrained. This means that when a person is in their active addiction, they often disregard medication instructions and their health even though they should logically know they are mixing a potentially lethal combination
The Damage to a Person’s Body
Above all of the other drugs people abuse, alcohol is the most dangerous, and it’s most frequently used in polysubstance use. From cocaine to prescription medications, people mix alcohol with other substances to amplify the high and it can be extremely dangerous. Even if a person doesn’t go out and party or socialize when they’re getting high, it’s very common for a person to use alcohol to increase the effects. Drugs like cocaine are uppers that increase a person’s heart rate, and alcohol is a depressant that brings it down, and this can cause dangerous fluctuations in a person’s heart function.
Mixing Downers
Depressants include substances like alcohol, opiates and benzodiazepines. It’s extremely common for those addicted to prescription medications like Xanax, valium, hydrocodone or morphine to mix their medications with alcohol. Labels on these prescription medications always warn not to mix the medication with alcohol, but those in active addiction completely disregard the warning even though it’s dangerous to their health and life. The other issue with prescription drug users is that they often mix multiple prescriptions without seeking advice from a doctor and could be mixing a lethal cocktail without even knowing it.
The reason depressants are so dangerous is because they slow down the nervous system which controls breathing. This system is slowed to a dangerous level when a person is abusing depressants and mixing them. This can cause a person so stop breathing in their sleep or choke on their own vomit during sleep.
Mixing Uppers and Downers
Those who are addicted believe the only way they can live life is when they’re taking substances. It’s very common for people with an addiction to appear to be living a normal life and mixing drugs just to get through the day. People may use drugs like cocaine or meth to stay awake and work long hours, and then turn to heroin, alcohol or prescription downers in order to get some sleep. They’re forcing their body to do what it wasn’t designed to do, which can lead to many health problems.
Pinnacle Peak Recovery specializes in helping people overcome their addiction to any type of substance or substances. No matter what type of substances you’ve been abusing, we have a program that can work for you. We also accept many insurance plans. Call us for help with your polysubstance use at 866-377-4761.