Common Risk Factors for PolyDrug Use

When individuals become dependent on multiple drugs simultaneously, increased side effects, health risks and behavioral changes can take place. Multiple drug dependency also known as polydrug use tends to occur in certain settings and situations more than others. While each dependent individual is unique in background, personality, and personal history, certain factors can statistically heighten your risk of polydrug dependency.

Common Risk Factors for Polydrug Use

While there is no one description of a Polydrug user, research has shown that the following risk factors are closely associated with polydrug dependent individuals.

• Intravenous Drug Use
  Studies have shown that individuals involved in intravenous drug use become significantly more likely to mix drugs. In fact, among intravenous drug users, heroin remains the drug of choice, while other complementary drugs are simultaneously used. Reasons for polydrug combinations in intravenous drug use include the desire to accentuate the effects of drugs such as heroin, as well as the involvement of drugs to mitigate side effects that drugs such as heroin cause.
• Region
  Research shows a marked number of regional differences in polydrug use patterns. While individuals from any region can become involved in polydrug use, the drug combinations preferred tend to vary by country. For instance, individuals residing in Greece and Italy tend to most often combine heroin with hypnotics or sedative drugs, while polydrug dependent individuals in Spain and the Netherlands more commonly mix cocaine with heroin.
• Criminal History
  Statistically, a criminal history can also become a risk factor for polydrug use. Individuals who have been arrested for a variety of crimes tend to have closer access to a range of available drugs, and higher levels of impulsivity that can lead to dangerous polydrug combinations during use.
• Age Range
  In general, intentional polydrug use tends to occur in individuals under 30 more often than other age spans. The mixture of drugs themselves can also vary with age, as well. Specifically, polydrug dependent individuals between 15 and 24 years old tend to use marijuana as a base drug, mixed with alcohol and other drugs, while those in their 20s tend to involve cocaine and alcohol in polydrug use.
• Family Disruptions
  Especially among high school aged teenagers, family disruptions can become a risk factor for polydrug use and dependency. When families experience crisis or emotionally volatile situations such as domestic abuse, death, divorce or chemical dependency, the risk of teens engaging in polydrug use heightens sharply.
• Doctor Shopping
  Many forms of polydrug use involve dependency on prescription medication such as opioids, in combination with alcohol or illegal drugs. Individuals who become opioid dependent tend to visit multiple doctors in order to access a steady stream of prescription drugs, in a practice known as “doctor shopping.” This can heighten the risk of polydrug dependency, causing serious side effects and potentially lethal drug interactions.

Related posts:

1. Reasons Dependent Individuals Engage in PolyDrug Use
2. Aspects of Recovery From PolyDrug Use
3. High Risk Drug Combinations
4. Risk Factors for Gambling Dependency
5. Increased Side Effects Through Drug Synergyism
6. Five Factors That Increase Relapse Risk
7. Drug Overdose Risk and Tolerance
8. Doctor Shopping and Prescription Drug Addiction
9. Common Relapse Rates in Drug Recovery
10. Drug Tolerance and Increased Side Effects
11. Why Vicodin Addiction Is Common
12. Discussing Dependency With Prescribing Physicians
13. Heroins Strong Addictive Pull
14. Depression and Alcohol Dependency
15. Common Myths About Gambling Dependency
16. Explosive Anger and Chemical Dependency
17. Criminal Activity and Drug Addiction
18. Aspects of Drug-Induced Psychosis
19. Five Common Triggers for Smoking
20. Drug Dependency in Parenthood