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37% of Substance Abuse Treatment Admissions Are Alcohol-Drug Combinations

A new report shows that 37.2% of substance abuse treatment admissions involve both alcohol and drug abuse. According to a report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), 23.1% of all admissions reported the abuse of alcohol and one other drug, and 14.1% reported the abuse of alcohol and two or more drugs.

When alcohol is used with other drugs, it tends to be ingested in greater quantities than when used alone. Combining alcohol with other drugs can be dangerous. For example, taking benzodiazepines concurrently with alcohol increases the chances of serious injury or death.

“Even by themselves, alcohol and drug abuse can be devastating to one’s health and well-being, but a combination of drug and alcohol abuse increases one’s risk of serious, life-threatening consequences even more,” says SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde. “If you or anyone you know has a problem with drugs and alcohol, together or by themselves please seek help immediately—it is available and it can help.”

— Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration