What is polysubstance dependence,signs and symptoms?

Polysubstance abuse.A person with polysubstance dependence is psychologically addicted to being in an intoxicated state without a preference for one particular substance. Although any combination of three drugs can be used, studies have shown that alcohol is commonly used with another substance.
Polysubstance abuse is defined as the use of three or more groups of addictive substances over a period of 12 months. It occurs when an individual abuses several substances over a
short period of time, often in an attempt to enhance the effect of a single drug to create a more intense high.

Polysubstance dependence, also called polydrug or multidrug abuse, is a substance disorder listed in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), the manual used by mental health professionals to diagnose mental disorders.

Substance abuse disorder.Individuals suffering with polysubstance dependence use at least three different classes of addictive substances over a 12-month period, without forming a preference for any single drug that qualifies for dependence on its own.

For example, an individual may use cocaine, depressants and hallucinogens indiscriminately without any one drug being their drug of choice. Although the person may not meet the criteria for dependence on any of these drugs individually, they may meet the criteria for substance dependence when all three drugs are considered collectively.

According to the DSM-IV, individuals must have three or more of the following symptoms in order to meet the criteria for substance dependence:

• Tolerance (needing to use increasingly larger amounts of the drugs to get the same effect)
• Withdrawal (experiencing withdrawal symptoms when discontinuing use of the drugs)
• Loss of Control (using more drugs than planned, or using drugs longer or more often than planned)
• Inability to Stop Using (unsuccessfully attempting to stop using drugs)
• Time (spending a significant amount of time obtaining or using drugs)
• Interference with Activities (giving up previously enjoyed activities to use drugs)
• Harm to Self (continuing to use drugs despite the fact that they cause physical or psychological harm)

Source of article.