Polysubstance Abuse

Polysubstance abuse is defined as the use of three or more types of substances to achieve intoxication. Polysubstance abuse is differentiated from other types of substance use disorders by the defining factor of the use of multiple substances to achieve a high rather than abusing one substance.

Diagnosing Polysubstance Abuse

As with any medical or mental health condition, polysubstance abuse diagnosis requires that certain criteria be met. In the most recent version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual V, polysubstance abuse disorder as a separate diagnosis was removed. The category of substance use disorder is now a larger category which ranges in severity and intensity.

For polysubstance abuse to be present, an individual must meet general criteria for substance use disorder with the additional factor of using three or more substances to achieve intoxication. General substance use disorder criteria include: increase in tolerance levels, continued use in spite of life consequences, impaired functioning in life, non-successful attempts to quit and experiencing withdrawal symptoms upon abstinence.

Contributing Factors to Polysubstance Abuse

Polysubstance abuse is destructive and pervasive. Some of the contributing factors for polysubstance use can be related to the initial age of use, trauma exposure, predisposition toward addiction due to family history and access to a variety of substances. Additional psychosocial factors such as cultural norms, social anxiety and limited support systems can also influence the likelihood of polysubstance abuse.

Treatment for Polysubstance Abuse

Often Polysubstance abuse often requires a multi-focused treatment approach. In addition to examining underlying psychosocial factors and co-occurring conditions such as depression or anxiety, the physical aspects of dependence need to be addressed. Medical detoxification from substances is monitored closely by health professionals to ensure the safety and stability of the individual. Sometimes this intensive process requires inpatient admission, depending on the severity of the condition.