Polysubstance use in the U.S. opioid crisis.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Addiction Medicine
• Pharmacology

Background:

• The U.S. opioid crisis is characterized by polysubstance use, extending beyond exclusive opioid involvement.
• Opioid-specific interventions may inadequately address the complexities of co-occurring substance use patterns.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the limitations of opioid-specific interventions in the context of the broader opioid crisis.
• To emphasize the need for comprehensive strategies that address polysubstance use patterns.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on opioid use and polysubstance use.
• Analysis of the overlap between opioid use and other substance use.
• Examination of reasons for polysubstance use in the context of opioid misuse.

Main Results:

• Nonmedical opioid users frequently engage in polysubstance use, increasing morbidity and mortality.
• Reasons for co-use include enhancing effects, mitigating side effects, or underlying predispositions.
• Polysubstance consumption can have unique and significant health impacts.

Conclusions:

• Interventions must broaden beyond opioid specificity to effectively combat the crisis.
• Addressing diverse patterns of polysubstance use is crucial for enhancing prevention, treatment, and research.
• A comprehensive approach is needed across public health surveillance, overdose reversal, and treatment interventions.