Dr Axel Klein - Everybody is a Poly (Substance User)

Poly-substance use is a pervasive, often overlooked norm that challenges the medical sector's focus on mono-substance use. Drug treatment and harm reduction efforts need to adapt to the complexity of how individuals combine substances for varied reasons, including effect maximization or specific sequencing. Social constructions of terms like drug user or poly-drug user are influenced by policy and dominant cultural frameworks. This historical context often sidelines the medical value of certain substance combinations. Addressing the reality of poly-drug use allows practitioners and policy makers to move toward a more comprehensive, effective approach that addresses the actual lived experience of substance users.