Substance abuse is a vicious cycle that can impact nearly every area of a person’s life. The most common side effects are mental health conditions, dangerous withdrawal symptoms, and financial instability. Drug-induced psychosis is another severe result of addiction. For individuals experiencing this condition, it’s crucial to find help as soon as possible.
Psychosis
Psychosis occurs when a person has a temporary break from reality. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), when people experience psychosis, their “thoughts and feelings are disrupted,” making it difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is not.
This state makes a person highly anxious, paranoid, and fearful. Individuals may perceive things that aren’t there, or even believe things that are not true. While experiencing psychosis, it may feel impossible to continue daily tasks and responsibilities. Paranoia ensues, damaging relationships and disrupting a normal life flow.
Causes of Psychosis
There is no one specific source of psychosis. This condition may have a number of different causes. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) says psychosis appears to result from “a complex combination of genetic risk, differences in brain development, and exposure to stressors or trauma.”
Mental health disorders like schizophrenia, severe depression, and bipolar disorder all carry a risk of psychosis. It’s also possible, however, for a person to experience this state of mind without ever being diagnosed with a mental health disorder.
Older adults may experience symptoms related to physical or mental conditions that come up as they age. Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia are all examples of such conditions. Prescription medications may be another culprit, along with sleep deprivation.
Drug-Induced Psychosis
Another group of people who can have psychosis are those who use illicit substances. Methamphetamine, cocaine, and cannabis have been known to increase the incidence of a psychotic episode or a hallucinatory break with reality.
A 2021 study in Frontiers in Psychiatry mentioned an increase in the use and production of synthetic substances that have “rapidly entered into the common pool of abusers’ habits.” Cannabinoids, fentanyl, and even drugs like bath salts can all lead to psychotic incidents.
Signs and Symptoms of Drug-Induced Psychosis
In order to properly identify and treat drug-induced psychosis, it’s important to recognize its signs and symptoms. According to the NIMH, people with psychosis typically experience “delusions” and ”hallucinations.” An example of a delusion could be the false belief that someone is sending them a message through the television. Hallucinations, like hearing voices, can leave a person feeling vulnerable and distrusting of the people around them. Other symptoms can include incoherent speech, inappropriate behavior, and extreme paranoia.
Warning Signs
If you think you or a loved one is experiencing psychosis, you can look out for common warning signs like:
- Sleep deprivation and insomnia
- Trouble with thinking clearly or speaking logically
- Withdrawal from social situations, family, and friends
- Bad self-care and personal hygiene
- Sudden drop in job or school performance
- Difficulty in telling reality
Changes in Behavior
Drug-induced psychosis can also lead to changes in regular behavior. Some of these changes may include:
- Anxiety and paranoia
- Emotional disruption
- Difficulty functioning or performing responsibilities
- Lack of motivation
Drug-Induced Psychosis and Addiction Recovery
If you fear that you or a loved one has drug-induced psychosis, it’s important to swiftly find quality treatment. The Guest House provides a wide variety of therapeutic modalities to help you overcome substance use disorder (SUD) and psychosis that may come along with it.
Psychosis is merely one symptom of a larger substance abuse issue. At The Guest House, you will find a comprehensive range of care to help you get to the root of your addiction and heal your mind, body, and soul.
Individualized Care
Every person at The Guest House comes to us with their own unique background and circumstances. SUDs can look vastly different from person to person, and many different substances can lead to a state of psychosis. It’s also important to note that not everyone with SUD also experiences drug-induced psychosis. For those who do, it may be one single event after heavy drug use, or it may happen periodically.
No matter what the circumstances are surrounding your SUD, you will find completely individualized care at The Guest House that’s tailored to you. Our highly-trained staff will help you develop a treatment plan that serves you best, allowing you to find truly unique care.
Co-Occurring Disorders and Trauma Healing
It’s common for people to come to The Guest House while experiencing one or more mental health disorders that co-occur with SUD. Our programs are specially designed to heal a whole spectrum of mental health concerns and allow you to create a solid foundation for your continued addiction recovery.
The Guest House is also a trauma-specific care center specializing in getting to the root cause of your addiction. Trauma and SUD often go hand-in-hand. When you can process and move through trauma, you will be better equipped to let go of addiction with less chance of relapse.
Holistic Care
Our wide variety of healing modalities and traditional therapies will help you discover the methods that work best for you. Holistic programs like meditation, music in healing, and art therapy can help you move trauma through your body and allow you to connect more deeply with your mind, body, and soul.
At The Guest House, it is our mission to help you heal as you connect deeper with yourself and discover the joys in life that await you in healthy recovery.
Drug-induced psychosis can be an extremely frightening side effect of addiction. When people are in this state, they may be fueled by paranoia and begin questioning themselves and the world around them. If you are exhibiting signs and symptoms of psychosis, it’s important to seek quality help. The Guest House specializes in healing addiction, mental health, and trauma. Our wide variety of traditional and holistic programs will help you get to the root of your addiction and set you up for prolonged success in recovery and beyond. Here you will find compassionate care that nourishes and serves your mind, body, and soul. For more information, call us today at (855) 483-7800.