Mixing substances, such as alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription drugs, is very risky. While some people do so to experience a combination of sensations, doing so can cause severe damage to the body. Some people do this because they want to achieve a high that they cannot get from using one substance alone. Other times, they think it is socially acceptable to do. Yet, there are real dangers in mixing substances, including overdose, sudden death, and addiction. At Rockland Recovery Treatment Center, we want you to know there’s help available to you today. We offer a range of drug addiction treatment programs that can help individuals struggling with substance use disorder to heal and make a lasting recovery.
Why Do People Mix Substances?
To some people, mixing substances, a process called polysubstance abuse, occurs when people want to achieve a different result when taking a drug. For example, the use of a stimulant like cocaine alongside a depressant like alcohol can create a different result. A person still gets the high they want from the cocaine, but the alcohol helps to minimize the impact of intense anxiety that often comes with cocaine use.
Others mix substances without knowing it. If you purchase heroin, for example, you may not know there’s fentanyl mixed in with it. You may not know that you are mixing drugs like cocaine and ecstasy together. These drug combinations are very dangerous, though.
What Are the Dangers of Mixing Substances?
It’s critical to understand that the dangers of mixing substances can really be hard to know. That’s because the substances you use will have different side effects. More so, the amount you use, the quality of that product, and the overall frequency of your use can all impact what happens to you. It is possible that one dose of cocaine and alcohol can put you in a coma or worse.
Some of the most common dangers of mixing substances include:
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Decreased breathing
- A decrease in heart rate to dangerous levels
- Overdose
- Sudden death
There is no way to know what will happen to you until you mix those substances. Because of that risk, it is never a good thing to try.
What to Do If You Have an Addiction
Another of the dangers of mixing substances has to do with addiction and dependence. When you mix these drugs with each other, you may quickly develop an addiction. That means you understand the risks, but you want more of the drugs. It also means your body is going to continue to crave those drugs and require the use of more of it to get the same high. You feel withdrawal symptoms when you stop, too.
This is the definition of addiction. Our team can help you with care through a number of treatment programs. We offer specialized men’s rehab programs and women’s rehab programs. We also provide sober living homes, partial hospitalization programs, and intensive outpatient treatment. The care you need to get sober is here.
Get Started on Sobriety at Rockland Recovery Treatment Center
The dangers of mixing substances are pretty clear to see. But this doesn’t mean stopping is easy to do. Substance abuse often leads to addiction. As a disease, healing from addiction requires professional support so individuals have their physical needs as well as their mental and emotional issues met. Our team at Rockland Recovery Treatment Center recognizes your need for a bit of help. When you reach out to us, we will provide you with one-on-one support and guidance to help you recover. Call us at 855.732.4842 to get help.
