Substance-induced psychosis is a sad risk associated with recovery from substance abuse. Individuals who come home after a rehab program must work through their recovery plan to help minimize the risk of relapse. However, some do return to drinking or drug taking and can develop psychosis as a result. Family members caring for these individuals must be aware of the red flags of early psychosis.
The sooner families recognize behavioral changes and identify potential psychosis symptoms, the easier it is to treat. The end goal is not only to get individuals back to a place of secure mental health but also to stop them from using substances again.
Changes In Perception
The first set of symptoms to watch out for are some of the most concerning when it comes to diagnosing substance-induced psychosis. These red flags are sometimes likely signs of a mental health problem and ones that could end up being incredibly impactful on an individual’s immediate friends and family. Other symptoms may be a more direct sign they are using again.
The problem with a lot of these signs in an individual’s behavior is that they may try to hide them. This deception could be down to not wanting to be caught out or part of a deeper social withdrawal, which we’ll talk about more in a moment. In other cases, substance users may be aware that something is wrong and try to express that to loved ones but end up not making a lot of sense. Here, it is the responsibility of you and anyone else caring for the individual to take the time to connect the dots.
Make sure to look out for changes in how they express themselves, such as a lack of coherence, reduced speech, or an unusual use of words. Memory problems and a sudden, increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli could be a sign, too. In extreme cases, where the psychosis has presented more intensely, you may also find them talking about unusual subjects, seeming paranoid and distracted, and turning to religion.
Now, it’s important to note that this last point about religion varies between individuals. Many former addicts return to their faith after addiction as a way of healing or even repenting for their past behavior. This is fine and should be encouraged when pursued in a healthy way with a strong support system. The problem comes when individuals suddenly get obsessive and talk about the devil seemingly out of nowhere.
Changes In Social Behavior
As mentioned above, it isn’t uncommon for those dealing with psychosis to end up withdrawing from society in some way. The extent of this will vary depending on the personality and situation of the individual. Some may be able to mask their symptoms if they aren’t behaving excessively out of character. As with the perception changes, the most obvious signs come when there is a sudden and alarming shift – especially when it negatively impacts other people.
Examples of these symptoms include increased isolation from others and a new desire to be reclusive. Obviously, those who were natural introverts or had tendencies toward reclusiveness before substance abuse aren’t going to suddenly become social butterflies. It’s all about spotting a decline and noticing when the new behaviors become detrimental. Withdrawing from social situations can be tough on family and friend groups. Just make sure there isn’t a legitimate reason before jumping to conclusions about the individual relapsing. Chronic periods of inactivity and a complete lack of communication are more concerning.
You should also watch out for signs of paranoia and distrust around other people. This could be as simple as no longer trusting the mailman to come onto the property or as damaging as believing family members are plotting against them.
Other Emotional And Behavioral Changes
The list of signs of substance induced psychosis is broad in both their presentation and severity. There will be many occasions when individuals show signs of decline or poor mental health. Former users could act this way because they are back using again, or it could be down to physical health issues or other influencing factors. Sleep problems, difficulty concentrating at work, and irritability are all things we can relate to when we’re not feeling at our best. However, they may be early signs of psychosis, so it’s important to watch out for other symptoms.
Often, those dealing with the early stages of psychosis find it difficult to regulate their emotions or express them appropriately. It is worthwhile paying attention to any patterns in these changes. A one-off release of emotion isn’t necessarily a bad thing. For example, a good cry is healthy to let out anything we’ve bottled up. The problem comes when the crying becomes excessive, and individuals start to show signs of depression. On the other end of the scale, psychosis patients can also exhibit euphoric tendencies with inappropriate laughter and an inability to cry. Either way, this imbalance needs to be addressed.
Getting Help For Substance Abuse Relapses
The symptoms mentioned here are all potential signs that a former substance abuser has fallen back into old habits and is using again. It happens. Even with the best support and a strong recovery plan in place, outside influences can derail progress and cause a relapse. The next step is to get help from a professional facility that understands the impact of psychosis and its relationship with substance abuse. These facilities can help provide the right support to handle the symptoms and get your loved one in a more stable state of mind. From there, you can look into further support for substance use. This may mean an inpatient program with a medical detox or a return to regular outpatient sessions.
Talk to care providers and see what the next step is. Let them guide you through the process and take the weight of the burden for a while. The sooner you seek help and recognize the risks of deeper substance-induced psychosis, the easier it will be to manage it.