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What happens if I mix drugs?

Combining drugs is always going to increase the risks and possible side effects and harm. It may also make the comedown from the drug/s worse.  

Polydrug use

Polydrug use is the use of more than one drug at the same time - that is mixing drugs together - e.g. taking an E and drinking, taking speed and smoking dope

Polydrug use dramatically increases the risks of harm to the user, impacting on their physical health and emotional/ mental health -  it quite often makes the comedown from the drug very severe.

Two depressants = possible overdose

Polydrug use can occur when two depressant drugs are mixed together – eg: alcohol and cannabis/ heroin and benzo's.

This combination greatly increases the possible risk of overdosing as both the drugs are going to be slowing down the central nervous system - that is the heart rate and the breathing. If this gets too slow - then you are in real trouble.

A depressant and a stimulant = possible unpredictable reaction/ places huge strain on the body.

Mixing a stimulant and a depressant drug -  eg: alcohol and speed/ cocaine and cannabis places the user at risk of a possible nasty reaction in their system.

It also places the user's body under intense pressure (usually the heart and blood pressure) as one drug fights to be dominant over the other. One drug will eventually win, however the effects on the body can be extreme.

 Two stimulants = places additonal strain on the body and can be very dangerous as you are combining two uppers at once into your system - eg: speed and Ecstasy/ cocaine and Ice.

In extreme cases, polydrug use can result in coma and death.

 

Why do people mix their drugs together?

  • To enhance the effect of another drug - try and make the rush stronger
  • Counteract the effects of another drug - some people may use cannabis or benzo's to try and comedown after taking speed or another stimulant
  • Provide a substitute for preferred but, unavailable drug
  • Conform to normative ways of using drugs - this is suggesting that polydrug use is becoming more popular amongst some drug users.

Referenced: Turning Point: ‘Working with Polydrug Users' - (Clayton, 1986).

 

Below are links to drug specific information related to mixing drugs.