Polysubstance Use Treatment In Ohio: Approaches & Benefits

Drug and alcohol use comes with a host of short-term and long-term health risks and other potential consequences. However when a person uses multiple substances, either at the same time or by alternating between the two, these risks and consequences can increase dramatically. 

Widespread polysubstance use in Ohio and across the United States is making it more important than ever for treatment centers to be equipped to treat polysubstance addiction using evidence-based treatment options.

Why Polysubstance Abuse Is So Concerning

When a person who uses addictive substances begins taking higher doses in order to change their feelings or behavior, there is always a risk of serious consequences. This risk is generally greatest when it comes to highly euphoric hard drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl or other powerful opioid painkillers, but even widely used substances like alcohol and cannabis can be habit-forming and dangerous in different ways under certain circumstances. This is especially true when a person has a genetic predisposition towards addiction, or other biological, psychological, or social risk factors. 

Polysubstance abuse, however, tends to heighten these risks in a wide variety of different ways. Not only is it associated with high-risk behavior and co-occurring disorders in general, but it also has the potential to trigger dangerous and sometimes devastating short- and long-term physical, psychological, and behavioral changes. Because different substances of abuse each have their own mechanisms and use different pathways in the body with unique effects, they can interact in potentially unpredictable and complex ways, often increasing the toxicity, addictive potential, or effect of one or both drugs, or putting unusual and harmful stress on the body and mind. 

In essence, polysubstance use combines and magnifies the risk of each of the particular substances a person uses, while introducing new ones.

These heightened risks include:

• severe impairment potentially resulting in victimization, physical harm, or death
• acute drug/alcohol dependence and substance use disorder (SUD) involving one or both substances
• chronic health conditions like heart disease, liver disease, cancer, and more
• brain damage impacting one’s thinking, behavior, personality, and memory
• sudden death due to combination drug overdose or other acute health effects 
• decreased ability to feel pleasure or passion in everyday activities
• relationship problems and divorce, estrangement, domestic violence, etc. 
• job loss, financial insecurity, and homelessness
• legal problems and imprisonment
• poor physical health, premature aging, and premature death

Despite these risks, polysubstance abuse in Ohio and elsewhere in the United States is common. People may combine different substances for different reasons, often either to enhance the effects of a euphoric drug or to counteract unwanted side effects. 

According to SAMHSA, 21.2% of all drug-related emergency department visits in the U.S. in 2022 were polysubstance-related. In Ohio specifically, 36.1% of all people receiving SUD treatment in 2019 were receiving treatment for both a drug use disorder and an alcohol use disorder, which doesn’t include those receiving treatment for multiple types of drug use, another SAMHSA report noted.

Official CDC figures from 2016 also found that 80% of all opioid-involved overdose deaths also involved some other type of drug, including alcohol. More recently, 40% of deaths from illicit fentanyl in 2020 were also found to have involved stimulant drugs, a particularly high-risk pairing. 

Effective Treatment Approaches For Polysubstance Use

Because of the prevalence of polysubstance abuse in Ohio, it is crucial that Ohioans have access to effective, professional care and support for all forms of SUD. Polysubstance treatment in Ohio generally includes the following.

Intensive Levels Of Care

In most cases, polysubstance use disorder treatment closely resembles recovery treatment provided for other forms of moderate to severe SUD, though polysubstance treatment often warrants a more intensive level of care and is often provided in inpatient settings like crisis stabilization units, inpatient treatment facilities, and residential treatment centers. 

These centers provide round-the-clock care for clients and offer highly intensive and personalized evidence-based treatment services for those they serve. 

Medical Detox

Polysubstance abuse can often result in a person developing a heightened state of dependence on one or more of the substances they are using, dramatically increasing the risk that they will experience severe withdrawal symptoms once they stop taking them. Because of this urgent and significant concern, medical detox treatment is highly recommended for those beginning polysubstance treatment. 

Also known as medically assisted detoxification, medical detox programs enable individuals to work through acute withdrawal symptoms in a safe, supportive, and closely monitored setting.

These symptoms can vary depending on the person and the substances they have been using, but may include:

• mood changes
• restlessness
• fatigue
• pain
• sweating and dehydration
• tremors
• nausea and vomiting
• sleep disturbances
• hallucinations 
• seizures

With regular check-ins and medical support on-hand if it is needed, medical detox services can help people navigate these effects safely and even mitigate the worst of them using medication, counseling, and simple distraction. 

Biopsychosocial Assessments

Usually provided in the very earliest stages of treatment, intake evaluations and assessments help treatment professionals to fully understand a person’s current condition and needs in recovery. 

These assessments are designed to take into account the client’s physical condition, mental condition, and social environment and can reveal the extent of a person’s SUD diagnosis, the presence of other problematic substance use patterns, co-occurring mental health conditions, undiagnosed physical problems, environmental risks, and more. This information is then used as a basis for developing the client’s treatment pathway, including the inclusion of multidisciplinary treatment team members and long-term treatment and aftercare recommendations. 

Behavioral Therapy

Addiction is considered a mental health disorder, and its treatment therefore routinely involves intensive psychological treatment in the form of psychotherapy (talk therapy). 

A variety of different forms of psychotherapy can be used in both one-on-one and group treatment sessions to help clients understand the factors behind their substance use, how substance use is impacting themselves and others in their life, and how they can develop healthy coping strategies to manage their thoughts, emotions, and behavior in the future.

Specific evidence-based options that may be included as part of a polysubstance use treatment program include but aren’t limited to:

• cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
• dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)
• family therapy
• motivational enhancement therapy (MET) or motivational interviewing (MI)
• contingency management

Peer Support Groups

Group therapy sessions and peer support group sessions are a great way for people with any form of SUD to reach out and build connections with other people in treatment. These peers are going through similar challenges that they themselves are experiencing, offering a unique chance to share more openly and without judgment, while providing mutual support and validation in return. 

Support groups can help people build positive relationships and share strategies, while also providing both short- and long-term accountability and motivation.

Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

Depending on the person and their particular situation, MAT using FDA-approved medications may be enough to help a person sustain recovery from alcohol or opioid addiction after leaving a treatment program.

Approved MAT options include:

• methadone, a long-acting opioid drug that can blunt the effects of other opioids and relieve cravings and other withdrawal symptoms
• buprenorphine, a partial-opioid agonist that provides craving and other withdrawal symptom relief with a lower risk of abuse compared with methadone
• naltrexone, an opioid antagonist that blocks the “thrill” and pleasure that would otherwise be involved in opioid abuse or alcohol abuse 
• acamprosate, which works by rebalancing a person’s neurochemistry after it has been disrupted by a prolonged period of alcohol use
• disulfiram, a medication that temporarily makes a person intolerant of alcohol, creating an unpleasant physical reaction if even a small amount of alcohol is consumed

These medications can be used long term, and, along with counseling or other treatment services, have been shown to significantly improve treatment outcomes. 

Aftercare Treatment

While intensive treatment services provided in an inpatient or residential setting can be a meaningful catalyst for change in those who have experienced a more severe form of SUD, this treatment alone is not enough. This is why aftercare coordination is provided to ensure that clients are equipped with enduring, long-term care and support. 

As with other treatment options, aftercare support is best when it is carefully tailored to a person’s individual needs, often incorporating a variety of services including:

• case management
• sober living housing
• step-down outpatient treatment
• employment counseling
• family therapy
• peer support groups, including 12-step programs
• medical appointments and treatment planning for specific health issues
• MAT for opioid or alcohol use disorders

Benefits Of Polysubstance Abuse Recovery

There are many reasons why a person may begin using one or a combination of different substances, including biological, psychological, social, and behavioral factors. But this also means that recovery has the potential to provide benefits in all of these areas.

Behavioral Benefits

Through behavioral therapies, psychoeducation, and peer support, the addiction recovery process can empower people to make conscious and positive choices about their behavior and lifestyle, equipping them with healthy coping skills to better manage stress and cravings. This helps people not only avoid substance use when cravings occur, but also better manage their relationships, careers, hobbies, eating habits, exercise routines, and sleep for a more fulfilling and meaningful daily life. 

Biological Benefits

While addiction recovery does not directly treat most medical issues and cannot address one’s genetic background, it can provide tremendous long-term biological benefits, helping people to reduce their risk of developing chronic medical issues, prolonging lifespans, and improving overall health and energy. This is especially true when medical factors are considered as part of a person’s overall recovery pathway, helping clients to feel better and manage issues like pain and illness as their recoveries progress. 

Psychological Benefits

Dual diagnosis treatment programs are specifically designed to provide individualized treatment for co-occurring mental health conditions like ADHD, bipolar disorder, PTSD, OCD, depression, and others. Treatment solutions generally include a combination of psychotherapy and medication, along with long-term support and counseling. 

This comprehensive approach to both mental health and substance abuse treatment can help people better manage their behavioral and mental health on an ongoing basis, living happier and more fulfilled lives without the constant need to self-medicate. 

Social Benefits

People who have completed SUD treatment programs and continue to avoid substance use are generally better able to establish safe, secure, and healthy lifestyle patterns. In particular, a variety of treatment options are available to help people repair and improve their close relationships, develop a healthy support system, and maintain stable employment. 

Aftercare support often focuses on developing these invaluable resources, and can even encourage positive social contact through peer support groups, alumni programs, and more. 

Ohio Recovery Center 

Located in Van Wert in northwestern Ohio, and easily accessed from cities like Indianapolis, Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Toledo, and Cleveland, Ohio Recovery Center exists to help people just like you face their substance use issues head-on and come out of treatment stronger than before. 

Our modern facility is built on a well-appointed and private 55-acre campus, and is staffed by dedicated and welcoming healthcare professionals with the training and experience to help people recover from any and all forms of substance use disorder. This includes residential treatment for all forms of polysubstance abuse in Ohio, as well as dual diagnosis care and standalone treatment for mental health conditions. 

If you or someone you love may be experiencing polysubstance addiction, or any other form of untreated or undertreated substance use disorder, please consider reaching out to our staff today to learn more about your options. And if you have questions about insurance, transportation, or other related issues, our staff is always happy to help too.