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meth induced psychosis san antonio recovery center

“My dark days made me stronger. Or maybe I already was strong, and they made me prove it.” 

— Emery Lord

 

Have you ever watched a scary movie and then felt on edge? Were you convinced every creak in your house was an intruder? Did the tree branches moving outside sound like scratching on the windows?

Our brains have a way of making up the world around us, trying to fill in the blanks for things it doesn’t understand. Sometimes this means it jumps to conclusions, especially when experiencing heightened emotions.

Now imagine this feeling of uncertainty, of being convinced that things that don’t exist are actually around the corner, went on for days. This is similar to what people who experience meth-induced psychosis feel.

Here in Texas, methamphetamine is not only the most seized drug in the state, but it’s also the drug found most frequently in people who died of drug overdose. Our team here at San Antonio Recovery Center has seen the physical and mental impact that long-term meth use can have on individuals and families alike. Today we’re going to talk about meth-induced psychosis, what it is, and how to address it if your loved one is experiencing it.

How Methamphetamine Impacts the Brain

Methamphetamine, commonly known as just meth, is a stimulant substance that impacts the central nervous system when consumed. Not only does it speed up several of the processes within the body, but it also impacts the dopamine system in the brain.

When present in the body, people experience feelings of increased energy, decreased appetite, and increased happiness. Dopamine is the primary chemical responsible for feeling pleasure. It’s naturally produced when we do activities such as eating food or having sex. The body then recycles the dopamine back into our system through dopamine receptors.

When methamphetamine is in the body, not only does it damper the recycling process of dopamine, but it also increases the production of dopamine. These heightened dopamine levels can damage the psyche and brain over time. 

Spotting the Signs of Drug-Induced Psychosis

Psychosis developed without the involvement of meth doesn’t vary in symptoms from psychosis that develops for other reasons. How, then, can you tell if someone experiencing psychosis is doing so because of the involvement of substances?

The key is in the other symptoms, the signs pointing to meth use specifically. This includes things such as sores on their body, weight loss, withdrawal from people they love, dental problems, changes in sleep patterns, and new or worsening heart conditions.

Many of the long-term effects of a meth use disorder, however, overlap with the side effects of psychosis. This is due to the negative effects meth has on the brain over a long time. Let’s take a closer look at what psychosis is and the side effects that come with it.

What Is Psychosis?

The term “psychosis” refers to a collection of symptoms that make someone become out of touch with reality. 

Psychosis won’t spring up suddenly; it’s often a gradual devolvement. This is important because you can spot symptoms as they develop, giving you more time to react and help someone if needed.

The most common signs of psychosis include:

  • Increases in paranoia
  • Difficulties following trains of thought
  • Spending more time alone and withdrawing from others
  • An increase or decrease in emotions, including a lack of emotions altogether
  • Decline in self-care
  • Disruptions in sleeping patterns, usually resulting in decreased sleep
  • Confused speech
  • Experiencing delusions and hallucinations

Delusions and hallucinations are similar, yet different, and are the most common side effects associated with psychosis. Delusions are strong beliefs in a truth that isn’t real or a truth that isn’t generally accepted by others. An example of this would be someone firmly believing that they’re being spied on or stalked.

Hallucinations, on the other hand, are when someone perceives something that no one else does. This can impact any of the senses, meaning someone could see, hear, or taste something that isn’t there.

how methamphetamine impacts the brain

What Are the Risk Factors for Experiencing Psychosis?

There are many causes of psychosis. Being aware of the potential triggers can make you more equipped to deal with psychosis should it happen to you or a loved one.

One of the primary causes is another mental health condition. It can be a symptom of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or even severe depression. It’s important to note, however, that someone can experience psychosis without having any of the above mental health conditions.

Another leading theory about the cause of psychosis comes from changes within the body. This could stem from medications, substance use, or sleep deprivation.

If the person experiencing psychosis is older, there’s also a chance it could stem from conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer's disease, or general dementia.

Amongst those who are regularly engaging in methamphetamine, their risk of experiencing psychosis increases greatly. Generally, nearly 25% of people with a methamphetamine use disorder will experience symptoms of psychosis at least once a year.

How Long Does Meth-Induced Psychosis Last?

On average, those who experience psychosis because of meth use only showcase symptoms for a couple of hours. Some people, however, can be in a state of psychosis for days. This will vary depending on their history of meth use and other mental health conditions.

Can Meth-Induced Psychosis Be Permanent?

While it may seem like it lasts forever, psychosis that derives from methamphetamine use won’t last forever. The best way to help ensure it ends, or to ensure it doesn’t happen again, is to stop taking methamphetamine and seek recovery and healing.

The Steps You Should Take to Help Someone With Psychosis

Watching someone become out of touch with reality can be terrifying. While not everyone who experiences psychosis will become aggressive or assume that others are out to get them, what do you do when your loved one is seeing things that aren’t there?

Your ultimate goal for helping someone experiencing psychosis should be to get them help, but that’s easier said than done. You want to be sure you find a place that works for them, and you want to see them happy and well, too. Of course, in the case of meth-induced psychosis, the symptoms often only last a few hours.

Be calm and respectful when talking to them during this time. Don’t be dismissive of their experiences. You can talk to them about what they’re experiencing, be understanding of their frustrations, and validate any positives.

It’s not uncommon for someone experiencing psychosis to be afraid, so be there to help and support them. Don’t argue with them and make sure to be calm and non-threatening when talking with them. It can be easier to use shorter sentences while making sure you’re speaking clearly.

As they’re coming out of their psychosis, continue to be calm. Help place them back in reality by talking to them about things you can both experience, such as the furniture in the room. Give them the space they need and avoid touching them until they give you the okay. If you ever feel afraid or uncertain about how to help, you can always reach out to 211, which is similar to 911 but helps connect people in non-emergencies to the services they need, such as mental health care.

spotting the signs of drug induced psychosis

Finding Recovery From Methamphetamine Use in San Antonio

Whether you or a loved one has experienced psychosis before, or you’re taking the steps to avoid experiencing it in the first place, there are options available for you. The best step you can take to avoid meth-induced psychosis is to look into meth rehab programs. How can you be sure that the program you find is right for you?

A good meth use disorder program should offer you the full continuum of care and be equipped to help with mental health concerns, too. You deserve to have long-term support during your recovery journey and to work with a team that wants to help set you up for success through well-rounded healing.

At San Antonio Recovery Center, our team is here to help you along every step of the way. We have the largest alumni program in San Antonio for a reason – we want to be there to see you succeed long-term. There’s no wrong time to get started. If you want to step away from meth use and toward the road of recovery, just give us a call anytime at 866-957-7885

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