“What is Crossfading?” and Other FAQs About Polydrug Use

Learn more about polydrug use and how to teach teens and young adults about it. 

As an educator, you know how essential it is to help teens and young adults learn about and understand the risk of using alcohol and other drugs. But does your education program include lessons on the dangers of polydrug use?

Polydrug use, or using more than one substance simultaneously, can amplify the danger of each individual drug. Therefore, it is vital to understand the dangers associated with polydrug use and be ready to answer your students’ questions about side effects, crossfading, and more.

To help you, we’ve compiled some of the most frequently asked questions about polydrug use. Read on to learn more!

What is crossfading?

Crossfading, another name for polydrug use, is the use of multiple substances, such as alcohol and marijuana, at one time. While using either of these drugs can be detrimental for teens and young adults, the effect of using both can be even more dangerous. 

What are the side effects of polydrug use?

“Greening out” is a lesser-known side effect of polydrug use. This is similar to the sick, dizzy, disoriented feeling that can result from alcohol use alone. Still, crossfading can add even more severe symptoms like heart palpitations, paranoia, and panic attacks. 

How is polydrug use more dangerous than the use of one substance?

The science behind polydrug effects still needs additional research to fully understand how dangerous it is to use multiple drugs simultaneously. Still, studies suggest that alcohol increases the absorption of THC in marijuana products by priming liver enzymes. More research is continuing as marijuana legalization becomes more widespread in the United States. Still, studies have found that the combined effects of THC and alcohol on divided attention were more significant than those of alcohol alone. 

How does polydrug use impact driving abilities?

Driving while using each substance individually is known to be dangerous — but the impact of using multiple drugs can be catastrophic. For example, one study in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that alcohol and marijuana used separately increased the number of times a driver weaved in and out of lanes. However, using alcohol and marijuana together had an additive effect, as if the person had consumed more alcohol than they did.

Check out this blog post for more surprising facts about the impact of marijuana and alcohol combined.  

How can teens and young adults effectively be taught about the dangers of polydrug use?

One approach to teaching young adults is to use fun, engaging, and hands-on learning. Adding facts and statistics to the program may also help people understand the severity of substance use.

Check out the Fatal Vision® Polydrug [Alcohol & Marijuana] Goggles Program Kit. It includes the Fatal Vision® Polydrug Goggles, the DIES® Maze Driving Mat activity, the Tic Tac Two activity, a printed user guide, and online access to instructional videos and materials. Optional training is also available with an Innocorp Trainer who can help safely demonstrate the products and ensure maximum impact using the Program Kit. 

Read this recent Fatal Vision® blog post on how to teach the effects of alcohol and marijuana on driving for even more tips and suggestions. 

Understanding what crossfading or polydrug use is, why it’s dangerous, and how to teach young adults about it can be overwhelming. Still, our Innocorp team is here to help. Check out our online store or contact our knowledgeable customer service team today!