Psychosis can be a very frightening situation and state of mind, both for the individual going through it and those around them. If you care about someone who seems to be psychotic, experiencing delusions and hallucinations, it’s important to get professional help.
Even if you suspect it is drug use that triggered the psychosis, treatment is important. Treatment can help immediately stabilize your loved one but also address the underlying issues that led to the troubling symptoms.
Psychosis, or a psychotic episode, is a disturbance or disruption in normal thoughts and perceptions. Someone with psychosis breaks with reality and experiences things that they can’t be sure are real or not.
There are three main symptoms associated with psychosis:
Psychosis can be caused by a specific mental illness, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. It can also be triggered by external factors, like a traumatic experience, a brain injury, or a medication. Substance of abuse, including drugs and alcohol, can also cause psychotic symptoms.
Drug-induced psychosis is more formally known as substance-induced psychotic disorder. It occurs when intoxication or withdrawal from a psychoactive substance of abuse triggers psychotic symptoms. Substances known to have the potential to cause psychosis during intoxication, withdrawal or both include:
The criteria for diagnosing someone with substance-induced psychotic disorder include:
The line between psychosis caused by substances and episodes triggered by other factors, particularly mental illness, can be blurry. Someone you care about who develops psychosis may have had early warning symptoms of an illness like schizophrenia that you didn’t recognize. There are some signs you can watch for that indicate an episode of psychotic symptoms is most likely caused by substance abuse:
The only way to know for sure if someone has an underlying mental illness or psychosis caused solely by drug use is to consult with a mental health professional.
One of the important signs that psychosis is caused by drugs is that it doesn’t last too long. Someone with a mental illness that causes psychotic episodes will have persistent symptoms and recurring episodes. So if the psychosis is temporary, is treatment really necessary?
Some people with this condition need immediate, even emergency treatment. Psychosis is very distressing, and although not common, it can lead to violence. A person in psychosis may become dangerous to themselves or to others.
Another important reason to seek treatment is that any kind of substance abuse, but especially abuse that leads to such dangerous situations, can be indicative of a substance use disorder. If drug use continues, there can be any number of serious consequences, including a recurrence of psychosis. Any degree of substance use disorder can benefit from professional treatment.
Finally, even if it is determined that the psychotic symptoms were triggered by drug use, it is possible there is a co-occurring mental illness, even a psychotic disorder. The right treatment will provide a thorough evaluation to diagnose any other conditions and a plan that addresses any existing mental illnesses along with substance use disorder.
Immediate treatment for substance-induced psychosis may involve hospitalization. The goal is stabilization, which usually requires a calm environment and sometimes a medication like a benzodiazepine or antipsychotic drug. These measures can provide quick results, which are important, but they don’t address the underlying issues.
There is a reason that the person you care about turned to drugs in the first place. It could be depression, trauma, or a psychotic disorder, among many other triggers. What the best residential treatment center can offer that is so important is a thorough evaluation to diagnose all underlying conditions, followed by an individual treatment plan that addresses every one of a patient’s needs.
In residential care, each patient gets an individualized program, but most programs will include some type of behavioral therapy along with medical care and supplemental services. Therapy is important for uncovering motivations for substance use, past trauma and other experiences, and personality characteristics that lead to poor choices. In behavioral therapy, patients learn how to be more aware of their damaging thoughts and behaviors and how to make positive and long-term changes.
Medical care is tailored to each person’s needs and may include medications for mental illnesses, such as antidepressants. Supplemental services and alternative therapies provide additional support in the form of group therapy, family therapy, creative therapies, recreation, lifestyle changes, nutrition, exercise, and more.
Drug-induced psychosis is about much more than the temporary symptoms. It hints at underlying problems that need to be addressed and managed to prevent similar episodes in the future. If someone you care about has had these experiences when using or recovering from drugs, encourage them to get a professional diagnosis and treatment.
Alta Mira offers comprehensive treatment for people struggling with drug and alcohol addiction as well as co-occurring mental health disorders and process addictions. Contact us to learn more about our renowned Bay Area programs and how we can help you or your loved one start the journey toward lasting recovery.
