Polydrug use is the practice of consuming multiple substances at the same time or one right after the other. Think legal and illicit substance combinations – like alcohol, cannabis, and cocaine. Or opioids and alcohol . . . or cocaine and heroin with alcohol. No matter the combination, polydrug use can have severe and unpredictable effects on your body and mind. One particularly dangerous combination is mixing stimulants and depressants. While some people believe these drugs can “balance each other out,” the reality is far more concerning.
Mixing these uppers and downers can lead to dangerous health risks, including heart complications, overdose, mental health issues, or worse.
Stimulants and depressants affect the central nervous system in opposite ways. Stimulants increase the level of dopamine and can temporarily increase cognitive function and euphoric sensations. Depressants decrease the level of mental stimulation and physiological activity. While stimulants and depressants have valuable medical uses, they can also be misused, leading to dangerous consequences, especially when combined.
Stimulants increase alertness, energy, and heart rate, often creating a sense of euphoria or heightened focus. They are sometimes prescribed for legitimate health conditions like ADHD, asthma, obesity, and narcolepsy. But unregulated stimulants (meth, cocaine, ecstasy) work in the same way.
Common examples of stimulants include:
Effects on the body can lead to:
Depressants slow down the nervous system, producing calming effects like relaxation and sedation. Medical professionals usually prescribe depressants for pain, anxiety, sleep disorders, or muscle relaxation.
Common examples include:
Effects on the body can lead to:
People mix stimulants and depressants for various reasons, often believing the false assumption that one drug will mitigate the adverse effects of another.
Some common motivations include:
Combining stimulants and depressants is extremely dangerous due to their opposing effects on the nervous system. Major risks include:
Some drug combinations are particularly hazardous and have been linked to severe medical complications and fatalities:
This mix produces cocaethylene in the liver, a toxic psychoactive substance that increases the risk of sudden death.
Stimulants like Adderall mask alcohol intoxication, leading to excessive drinking and a higher chance of alcohol poisoning.
Combining these drugs can lead to severe respiratory depression, heart failure, and a significantly increased risk of overdose.
The combination of a depressant like Xanax with methamphetamine can lead to extreme confusion, respiratory distress, and an increased risk of overdose.
This combination is particularly deadly, as fentanyl is a powerful opioid that can quickly lead to respiratory failure when mixed with a stimulant like cocaine.
Understanding the signs of polydrug use can save lives, as people suffering from substance use disorders are not always aware of the health risks associated with their drug combinations.
Warning signs of polydrug use include:
If you or a loved one is mixing uppers and downers, especially without medical prescriptions or supervision, or struggling with any polydrug use, professional treatment can help. Buena Vista Recovery offers comprehensive addiction treatment programs for those struggling with a range of drug and alcohol use disorders. Buena Vista Recovery offers treatment for substance use disorders in a full continuum of care, including medically supervised detox, residential/inpatient treatment, Intensive Outpatient Programming (IOP), virtual IOP, and MAT services and support. Our Treatment Advisors are available and eager to help answer your questions. Call 480-790-7742 or contact us online to take the first step toward recovery.
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