Polysubstance use

See also: List of polysubstance combinations
Not to be confused with Polysubstance abuse or Polysubstance dependence.
Polysubstance use
In certain parts of Scotland, the caffeinated alcoholic beverage Buckfast Tonic Wine is associated with drinkers who are prone to committing anti-social behaviour when drunk.[1]
SpecialtyPsychiatry[2]
ComplicationsCombined drug intoxication, drug overdose[2]
For combination of pharmaceuticals, see Combination drug and Polypharmacy.
Ayahuasca being prepared in the Napo region of Ecuador
Close-up photo of a metal spoon filled with a viscous, clear purple fluid
A spoonful of promethazine/​codeine cough syrup showing the characteristic purple color that gave rise to the name purple drank.

Polysubstance use or poly drug use refers to the use of combined psychoactive substances. Polysubstance use may be used for entheogenic, recreational, or off-label indications, with both legal and illegal substances. In many cases one drug is used as a base or primary drug, with additional drugs to leaven or compensate for the side effects, or tolerance, of the primary drug and make the experience more enjoyable with drug synergy effects, or to supplement for primary drug when supply is low.[3]

  1. ^ "England gets a taste for Buckfast, the fortified wine that's linked to crime". The Daily Telegraph. 17 July 2017.
  2. ^ a b Anthony, James; Barondess, David A.; Radovanovic, Mirjana; Lopez-Quintero, Catalina (2017). "Part 1: Psychiatric Comorbidity – Polydrug Use: Research Topics and Issues". In Sher, Kenneth J. (ed.). The Oxford Handbook of Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders: Volume 2. Oxford Library of Psychology. Oxford and New York: Oxford University Press. pp. 27–59. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199381708.013.006. ISBN 9780199381708. LCCN 2016020729.
  3. ^ "Polydrug use | www.emcdda.europa.eu". www.emcdda.europa.eu.