What is Cross Addiction?
Cross addiction refers to someone who is addicted to more than one substance at the same time. It may also refer to a person who switches from one addiction to another over time.

“Its been one thing after another my whole life.

I can get addicted to anything that I enjoy.”

Those applying for Methadone Maintenance Treatment may tell how they became addicted to opiate drugs after they were prescribed for pain control. Some of these persons have little or no other history of alcohol or drug abuse.

Others describe using cannabis as a teenager, cocaine and amphetamines as a young adult and then opiate drugs as they became older. This is a common path of cross addiction.

Cross addiction is further reason to properly address the root problem of addiction. To not do so is to risk switching from one addiction to another.

Once addicted, you are at increased risk of future addiction to other drugs. Any program of recovery is certainly best to include strict avoidance of other drugs that will change your mental state or feeling. Self treatment of emotional distress is a risky venture.

Your doctor should always be made aware of any history of addiction. You are best to always inquire if any medication that may be prescribed has potential for addiction.