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Polysubstance Use

Polysubstance
Use

Combining different substances, or Polysubstance Use, is a dangerous gamble that can turn deadly very quickly. Whether it’s intentional or by accident, mixing drugs makes their effects unpredictable, stronger, and leads to overdoses more frequently. Knowing about these risks and how to avoid them can save lives. ​

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Polysubstance Use in numbers​

Polysubstance Use (PSU) is more common than not. Especially people who use opioids tend to use more than one substance regularly. Here are some statistics that put a number on the dangers of combining substances.​

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Over 90%

of people seeking opioid treatment report they’re using more than one substance.​

85%

of drug-related deaths involving pharmaceuticals, also involved PSU.​

77%

of people who use cocaine drink alcohol simultaneously.

Over 50%​

of synthetic opioid overdose deaths also involved stimulants (uppers).​

25%

of people struggling with Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) have at least two other Substance Use Disorders (SUD). ​

What is Polysubstance use?

Polysubstance Use (PSU) means that someone takes more than one substance. This can happen at the same time or over a period of time, on purpose or unintentionally. And it doesn’t make a difference if it’s prescription drugs or illicit substances.​

Here are 7 Polysubstance Use facts you should know.

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PSU is a factor in 63% of overdose deaths
Polysubstance use played a role in almost two-thirds of overdose deaths in the past years. And the numbers are rising. These overdose deaths often happen by accident when illicit substances are laced with fentanyl.​
PSU often happens unintentionally
People sometimes don’t know that they are using different substances at the same time. The reason is that many fake pills and street drugs are laced with potentially lethal doses of fentanyl or xylazine (tranq).​
PSU makes overdoses more likely

Using several substances at the same time makes their effects stronger and more unpredictable. This increases the risks of an overdose and death.​

Overdose reversal is more difficult
While naloxone, aka NARCAN®, can reverse an opioid overdose, it doesn’t work for other drugs. However, you should always have it with you and use it when you see an overdose.​
​ Mixing uppers and downers doesn’t cancel them out

Stimulants (uppers) like cocaine, ecstasy, and meth have the opposite effect from depressants (downers) like alcohol, opioids, and benzodiazepines. But that doesn’t mean they cancel each other out. In fact, mixing substances from both groups leads to serious overdose risks.​

Combining downers can be lethal

Depressants decrease heart rate and breathing. When different downers like alcohol, opioids, and benzos are taken together, the effects multiply and can lead to coma and death.​

Drinking alcohol and using drugs

Alcohol is a depressant. Drinking while using other drugs makes overdoses more likely and can damage the brain, heart, and other organs. ​

Fentanyl in the mix​

The synthetic opioid fentanyl has become the main cause of overdose deaths. It is so powerful that even a small dose can be deadly. But what does that have to do with polysubstance use?​

Any street drug, including fake pills, could be laced with fentanyl these days. That makes accidental polysubstance use a big problem. People think they are taking one substance, but they are really taking a drug cocktail containing dangerous fentanyl.​

To be safe and save lives in an overdose situation, always carry naloxone and know how to use it.

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7 Facts
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By the Numbers
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Mixing Drugs is Deadly
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Mix & Match
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Fentanyl in the Mix
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