Psychosis is a psychological disorder which results in the affected persons construing the events and happenings around them differently and abnormally when compared with the interpretation of the same events & happenings by other mentally stable people.
Drug-induced psychosis, also referred to as ‘stimulant psychosis’, is a psychotic episode which occurs as a result of abuse of stimulants, prescription drugs, alcohol or narcotic drugs, all of which set off a psychotic response.
Psychosis is usually distinguished by symptoms like hallucination or delusion, which are highly surreal feelings. Hallucination implies the strong sensing of occurrences that are unreal and usually involves the suffering person garishly seeing, hearing or even feeling things that do not actually exist. Delusion involves the suffering person believing in illogical and unreasonable ideas, in spite of being aware of presence of evidence contradicting these ideas. Delusion of control, Cotard delusion & Delusional jealousy are a few types of delusion commonly experienced by sufferers.
Addiction to drugs such as heroin and other such recreational drugs can deteriorate symptoms of existent psychosis. Excessive and frequent administration of heroin by mouth, injection, smoking or insufflations over extended time periods can lead to development and even worsening of psychosis, and may even result in episodes of paranoia.
In case a person diagnosed with drug-induced psychosis is dependent or addicted to heroin or other such drugs, the person is struggling with what is known as a dual diagnosis.
Drug-induced psychosis occurs when too much of a certain drug is administered, which makes the dosage of the drug toxic/even lethal enough to incite episodes of paranoia and/or psychosis.
The onset of drug induced psychosis can also be a result of administration of a mixture of narcotic or prescription drugs, which often results in unpleasant and adverse reactions.
Sudden abstinence or withdrawal from a prescribed drug, without tapering the dosage being administered on a regular basis, may also lead to drug-induced psychosis.
Also, having an underlying mental health condition such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia increases the chances of the sufferer experiencing drug-induced psychosis as he/she is more prone to contracting drug-induced psychosis after abusing drugs, both narcotic and prescribed pharmaceutical drugs.
Drug-induced psychosis is more perceptible when the sufferer’s symptoms mellow down after the drug usage has been abated. This happens while the preliminary symptoms such as societal abandonment may steadily add on to cumulatively show up as delusions or hallucinations in near future.
Treatment of drug induced psychosis involves admitting the person into a residential hospital setting, followed by making the suffering person refrain from using the drug which caused the drug-induced psychosis episode(s). The abstinence is however, medically assisted, and it is ensured that the suffering person does not administer any habit forming drugs during her/his stay at this establishment. Only those drugs which help assuage the symptoms of withdrawal are administered.
While going through the detoxification process at a rehabilitation centre, the suffering person shall have access to counseling and therapeutic sessions with the allotted counselor or psychologist, during which the person shall learn how to manage withdrawal. The person shall also learn how to remain sober and steer clear of narcotic drugs and other such substances, after detoxification and rehabilitation.
If you or someone you care for is showing symptoms of drug-induced psychosis, it is important that you seek treatment from experienced mental health practitioners. Feel free to reach out to us at : www.tulasihealthcare.com
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