Trending Topics

Addiction and mental health are tightly connected, and that connection becomes even more complex when someone regularly mixes substances. Polysubstance addiction — often called polysubstance use disorder — occurs when a person relies on more than one drug or medication, sometimes in rapid sequence and sometimes all at once. This pattern can intensify cravings, disrupt mood, and make recovery feel out of reach.

For many people, the problem is not “alcohol or pills,” but alcohol and pills, or a shifting combination of poly drugs. These combinations strain the body, increase overdose risk, and often worsen depression, anxiety, or trauma-related symptoms. The encouraging truth is that with the right medical care, therapy, and long‑term support, people can and do recover from polysubstance use.

This guide explains what polysubstance use means, how it affects mental health, the signs and risks to watch for, and how Nova Recovery Center helps individuals move from chaos and uncertainty toward lasting stability.

Many people think recovery ends once the drugs or alcohol are gone. The body detoxes, the cravings quiet down, and life is supposed to fall into place. Yet for many, the hardest work begins after physical sobriety. That next stage is called emotional sobriety—and understanding what it is, how it works, and how to practice it can make the difference between white-knuckling and true freedom.

This guide explains what emotional sobriety is, how it differs from physical sobriety, why it matters for mental health and relapse prevention, and how treatment at Nova Recovery Center helps you build it step by step.