Purpose of poly-drug use:

• heighten the effect from one particular drug
• reduce the effects of withdrawal
• bypass the negative effects of coming down from a substance used earlier
• obtain multiple concurrent drug effects

Examples

1. The combination of a large dose of benzodiazepines and alcohol or an opiate drug such as heroin or methadone may be fatal.
2. When ecstasy is used with alcohol, health risks increase because alcohol impairs thermal regulation and increases dehydration
3. The combined use of different stimulants, including energy drinks, can lead to sympathetic hyperactivity that may result in impaired thermal regulation and cardiac functioning.