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Polysubstance abuse is quite common among people who already abuse alcohol. Oftentimes alcohol is used to enhance or blunt out the unwanted effects of the other substance being abused. One drug used alongside alcohol is Suboxone. Suboxone and alcohol are both central nervous system depressants. When taken together, it can result in distressing effects such as respiratory depression, sedation, slowed heart rate and a high risk of overdose and coma.

Alcohol use disorder, alcohol addiction or alcoholism can be a very difficult disease to overcome. Depending on the severity of the addiction, it can take months and even years for someone to recover. But once they have recovered, is it possible to drink in moderation again? Does moderation work? Can a person actually relearn how to drink responsibly after a long period of abstinence from alcohol? 

Meloxicam, also known by the brand name Mobic, is a prescription medication used to treat pain and inflammation caused by certain types of arthritis. The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) helps reduce painful symptoms caused by osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis. An estimated 22.6 million prescriptions for meloxicam were issued by physicians in the U.S. Meloxicam is not a substance that is often abused. However, when it is taken in combination with alcohol, dependence can develop and cause dangerous and unpredictable side effects. 

Generalized anxiety disorder is one of the most common mental health conditions often treated by medication. It occurs when a person experiences excessive anxiety or stress for at least 6 months or more. The most common and effective way to treat anxiety disorder is with anti-anxiety medications that affect the unbalanced chemicals in the brain. Buspirone is an anxiolytic drug primarily used to treat symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder. It is a non-anti-psychotic medication FDA-approved for managing anxiety disorders and providing short-term relief from anxiety.

Librium is a prescription medication often used as short-term relief for symptoms of anxiety as well as the general management of anxiety disorders and withdrawal symptoms of acute alcoholism. It contains anti-anxiety, sedative, appetite-stimulating and myorelaxant properties. Its primary use is to help treat withdrawal symptoms for alcohol use disorder.

Methadone is a prescription medication commonly used to treat symptoms of opioid use disorder. It is most often used for medication-assisted treatments during detox and even throughout the remainder of opioid addiction treatment. This synthetic opioid is a narcotic medication and is considered a Schedule II Controlled Substance. Despite being a popular and effective medication treatment for opioid addiction, methadone itself can become habit-forming if not administered under the care of a healthcare provider and medical treatment program.

Alcohol and ecstasy. It is a pretty popular drug combination among young people ages 18 to 34, partygoers and clubgoers alike. The idea behind mixing the two drugs is ecstasy will be able to cancel out the sedative effect of alcohol while intensifying the buzz and high from the ecstasy. Many partygoers believe alcohol can enhance their experience with ecstasy and prolong the effects of high energy, euphoria and connectedness. This might be a temporary effect, but in the long run, the combination of alcohol and ecstasy can cause dangerous side effects.

Alcohol use disorder is a mental health medical condition in which a person has an impaired ability to stop or control their drinking behaviors despite resulting in negative consequences. Once you have developed a dependence and addiction, quitting alcohol can be very difficult and very dangerous. Some people opt to quit drinking cold turkey. Going cold turkey is a popular phrase that describes abruptly quitting all use of substances such as alcohol, rather than stopping gradually. However, depending on the severity of the alcohol use disorder, quitting alcohol cold turkey can put you at even higher risk for dangerous and life-threatening side effects.

Methadone is a synthetic long-acting full opioid agonist. The Schedule II Controlled Substance is a common prescription opioid medication used to help treat opioid use disorder. It is taken daily in minimal controlled doses and can be administered in a pill/tablet, a liquid concentrate, a powder that dissolves in water, or in a wafer form. One dose can last anywhere between 4-8 hours. Methadone works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain. It helps to ease opioid withdrawal and control opioid cravings. Methadone has the potential to become addictive and should only be taken as prescribed by a licensed clinical professional.

Opioid use disorder has been an ongoing public health epidemic in the United States over the past decades. In fact, the majority of drug overdoses now involve some sort of opioid. There are many factors that can put people at risk for opioid overdose including, low drug tolerance, intravenous route of administration, recreational substance use, depression and the development of other mental health conditions. Naloxone, known by the brand name Narcan, and naltrexone, known by the brand name Vivitrol, are two common medication treatments used against opioid use disorder. They are opioid blockers that can help reverse the effects of opioids.