Cross Faded: The Risks of Polysubstance Abuse and Being Drunk and High

Imagine a night out that ends in a trip to the emergency room: this is a reality for many who experience the dangers of being cross faded. Cross fading, the simultaneous intoxication from alcohol and drugs, is a risky behavior with severe consequences. It's also known as polysubstance abuse. If you or your loved one are dealing with drug addiction, it's crucial to understand the risks and effects involved.

This article aims to educate you about the side effects, health dangers, and potential for abuse when combining alcohol and drugs, helping you make informed decisions and seek the support needed for recovery.

What Does It Mean To Be Cross Faded?

Being cross faded means experiencing simultaneous intoxication from alcohol and drugs, most commonly cannabis. This combination can significantly amplify the effects of each substance. Alcohol may lower your inhibitions and impair your coordination, while cannabis can induce feelings of euphoria and alter your perception of time. When mixed, these effects interact in unpredictable ways, leading to an intensified and potentially dangerous state.

The experience of being cross faded varies. Some people might feel relaxed and euphoric, while others may experience confusion, dizziness, or anxiety. The duration and intensity of cross fading depend on the substances used, individual tolerance, and overall health. Understanding these risks is crucial for making safer choices.

What Does Being Cross-Faded Feel Like?

When someone is cross-fading, which means they have mixed drugs like alcohol and cannabis, they may experience various symptoms that differ from the effects of using each substance alone. Understand the potential risks and how to manage the experience by being mindful of these symptoms. Following are some examples of standard cross faded symptoms.

Heightened Intoxication

The effects of both alcohol and cannabis can be heightened by cross fading. One may feel more euphoria, relaxation, or changed perception than using either substance alone.

Impaired Coordination

Cross fading might harm motor skills and coordination. One may feel shaky on their feet, have trouble balancing, or be unsteady.

Altered Mental State

Confusion, disorientation, and difficulties concentrating can result from the combination of substances. The thoughts may become disorganized, making focusing or engaging in sensible discussions difficult.

Increased Sedation

Cross fading can increase tiredness and sedation. One may feel more tired than normal, making it difficult to remain aware and involved in the surroundings.

Memory Impairment

Cross faded individuals often experience short-term memory loss or gaps in their memories. One may have trouble recalling discussions, events, or acts that occurred while they were under the influence.

Heightened Anxiety or Paranoia

While some individuals feel comfortable when cross-faded, others may experience greater anxiety or paranoia. The combination of substances can increase these unpleasant feelings, resulting in uneasiness or excessive worry.

Nausea and Vomiting

Cross fading can also induce gastrointestinal issues, including nausea and vomiting. The combination of substances may irritate the stomach and digestive system, causing pain or an upset stomach.

Slowed Reaction Time

Both alcohol and cannabis can slow down the reflexes, and this effect may be stronger when taken together. The response time may be slowed, increasing the risk of an accident or poor judgment.

Heightened Sensory Perception

Cross-faded can improve sensory experiences by increasing sensitivity to noises, sights, tastes, and scents. Colors may look brighter, music may sound more vivid, and food tastes may be more prominent. However, this increased sensitivity can be excessive for some people, resulting in sensory overload and discomfort.

Emotional Instability

Cross fading can have an emotional influence, resulting in mood swings and emotional instability. Exaggerated emotions, swinging between euphoria and sorrow, or feeling more irritated and easily provoked are possible. These emotional swings might make it difficult to manage and control one's feelings when under the influence.

Is Getting Cross-Faded Bad?

When it comes to getting cross faded, the combination of alcohol and cannabis, consider the possible risks involved. While everyone's experiences differ, there are various reasons why becoming cross-faded harms health.

One of the main concerns is the worsening of cognitive and physical functioning. The combination of alcohol and cannabis can significantly impair coordination, decision-making, and response rate. This can raise the likelihood of an accident, injury, or poor judgment, placing oneself and others in danger.

Another substantial danger is the possibility of worsening unpleasant side effects. Being cross faded can boost both substance's harmful effects. These heightened side effects may lead to a less appealing or even unpleasant experience.

Furthermore, cross fading might have a serious effect on mental health. While mixing substances may provide momentary escape or relaxation for some people, it may also cause anxiety, sadness, or emotional instability in others. The altered state of consciousness can interfere with mood control and worsen underlying mental health issues.

Additionally, cross fading might enhance the likelihood of substance misuse and dependency. The combined effects of alcohol and cannabis can create a continuous cycle. It makes it more difficult to manage or limit substance use. This can potentially evolve into a harmful dependency pattern on intoxicants and negatively influence general health.

Can You Die From Being Cross Faded?

While being cross faded might pose major health risks, it is uncommon for someone to die purely due to cross-fading. However, combining alcohol and cannabis can heighten the risks and problems associated with substance abuse. This can potentially lead to life-threatening scenarios.

The dangers of cross fading are caused by the individual substances rather than the mixing process. Alcohol poisoning can occur when alcohol is consumed in large quantities or rapidly. This can cause respiratory depression, loss of consciousness, and even death in severe cases.

While cannabis is typically thought to have a reduced risk profile, it can have negative consequences. In sensitive individuals, excessive cannabis use can cause significant drowsiness, confusion, panic attacks, and even psychotic episodes. Although these consequences are rarely deadly, they can exacerbate dangerous conditions if necessary care and measures are not followed.

How To Help Someone Who Is Cross Faded?

Approach the issue with caution and take proper actions to help someone who is cross fading, which means they have mixed drugs and feel the consequences of intoxication. Here are some suggestions about how to assist someone who is cross-faded.

Stay Calm and Assess the Situation

Maintain your cool and pay attention to the person's actions and condition. Determine whether they are responsive, conscious, and breathing regularly. If they appear to be in urgent danger or distress, call emergency.

Ensure a Safe Environment

If feasible, relocate the individual to a safe and peaceful location away from any potential threats. Remove anything that might cause injury or an accident.

Offer Support and Reassurance

Speak to the individual in a non-judgmental and calm tone. Assure them that they are not alone and that you are available to help them. Encourage open conversation and inquire whether they require any special support.

Keep an Eye on Your Vital Signs

Monitor the person's vital indicators, such as breathing and heart rate. Seek medical treatment right away if you detect any substantial changes or indications of concern.

Hydration and Rest

To assist the individual keep hydrated, offer water or non-alcoholic drinks. Encourage them to rest and offer a relaxing environment for them.

Avoid Mixing with Other Substances

Discourage the person from consuming further drugs or alcohol if they are still under the influence. Mixing drugs can amplify the effects and raise the risk.

Avoid Leaving Them Alone

Keep someone with the cross-faded individual, especially if they show indications of impairment. This safeguards their safety and gives them confidence in any issues.

Seek Medical Help if Necessary

If the person's health decreases, they become unconscious, have trouble breathing, or exhibit indications of extreme discomfort, seek emergency medical attention. Call emergency or transport them to the nearest medical institution.

How Long Does Cross Fading Last?

The duration of being cross faded, caused by the combination of substances such as alcohol and cannabis, differs from person to person. Individual tolerance, substance dose and strength, and metabolic rates are all factors that impact how long the effects persist.

The combined effects of being cross-faded might continue for many hours in most cases. Individual substances, however, can have different durations of action.

Alcohol normally immediately impacts the body, with its effects slowly decreasing as it is digested. Alcohol processing rates might vary depending on body weight, metabolism, and the amount consumed.

Cannabis has the potential for a longer duration of effect. Its effects can last anywhere from one to several hours. This depends on various factors, such as the method of consumption (smoking, vaping, or edibles) and the strength of the strain.

When cannabis and alcohol are mixed, their combined effects can extend the period of being cross faded. The intensity & duration of these effects may also be influenced by the amount consumed, when it is consumed, and individual circumstances.

Cross-fading can affect cognitive and physical abilities and alter perception and judgment. Allow enough time for the effects to wear off before participating in tasks requiring attentiveness and coordination, such as driving or operating machinery.

Cross-Fading and the Risk of Addiction

Cross fading, the combination of substances like alcohol and cannabis, can increase some individuals' addiction risk. When alcohol and cannabis are combined, the reinforcing effects increase the urge to repeat the activity.

Cross fading heightens the euphoric and calming effects, resulting in a higher level of intoxication. Impaired judgment, when cross-fading, can contribute to participating in harmful addiction-related activities. Frequent cross-fading can lead to tolerance, dependence, and the development of substance use disorders.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

Understanding the risks of being cross faded is crucial for your health and safety. The combination of alcohol and drugs can lead to unpredictable and dangerous outcomes. If you or a loved one are struggling with substance abuse, it's important to seek help.

At The Forge Recovery Center, we provide compassionate and professional support to guide you through recovery. Don’t face this journey alone. Reach out to us today to begin your path to a healthier, sober life.

Written by

Brian Moore

Content Writer

Reviewed by

Jeremy Arzt

Chief Clinical Officer

August 31, 2024