Poly-Substance Use

                There are defining moments in one’s life that shape the way the rest of your life can unfold. Choices can define who or what we become. Many times, choices can be subjective – if the outcome assimilates into what we know to be good then we are happy, if the outcome results in something negative then the choice could be considered poor. Is death a choice? Sometimes.

                When you choose to mix alcohol and prescription and/or over-the counter medication you are gambling with your own fate. The combination can be deadly, ultimately bringing your life to a screeching halt and devastating those who love you. This deadly combination seems to be occurring more frequently in our society. Once almost exclusive to Hollywood celebrities, death by overdose is making its way into mainstream life. Bad day? Look in the medicine cabinet. Headache? Aspirin is no longer enough. Sore back? Forget the heating pad. A bottle of wine and a couple sleeping pills can help.             In the prevention world we call this combination poly-substance abuse - the use of two or more substances. Youth and middle aged people call it a good night. At the funeral home they call it a mistake. There seems to be a disconnect between facts and perception that must be dispelled. Prescription drug abuse is on the rise.

                According to the New York State Department of Health, one in three teens report having a close friend who abuses prescription pain relievers to get high.  Depending on the drug taken, mixing alcohol – even with one pill – can have deadly consequences. The central nervous system gets confused if you take a stimulant and a depressant. Your brain has a hard time determining what messages to send where and how quickly to do it. Imagine the conflict within your body if you touched a hot stove and it was cold then suddenly hot then cold again. These conflicting responses begin to over compensate for one another and conflicting neurotransmitters flood the brain. This makes it difficult for the body to know what to do or how to function. A common misconception is thinking that prescription drugs are safe. They are only safe when taken as directed, by whom they have been prescribed. When misused or abused they become as dangerous as illegal drugs, especially when mixed with alcohol.

                If you or someone you love is abusing alcohol or other drugs reach out to them and help them get the help they need to recover completely. This article is in memory of those who have lost their lives through unintentional poisoning from drugs and alcohol.