“It can be challenging to distinguish drug-induced psychosis from other forms of psychosis,” says Michael Knable, DO, a psychiatrist who is the medical director of Clearview Communities LLC, chairman of the board for the Treatment Advocacy Center and member of the District of Columbia Commission on Mental Health. “This is because many people with diagnoses of schizophrenia may also misuse drugs.”
https://www.psycom.net/schizophrenia/drug-induced-psychosis
The journey of supporting a loved one through mental illness can be one of the most challenging experiences a family can face. Drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia, in particular, present unique challenges that require a combination of understanding, patience, and professional support. In this blog post, we’ll explore the story of a family who worked together to support their son and sibling through his struggles with drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia, the challenges they faced with his relapses, and how therapy and psychiatry interventions played a crucial role in their journey towards healing.
The Daniel Family Story
The Daniel family’s journey with mental illness began when their son and sibling, Sam, started experimenting with drugs in his late teens. What started as recreational use soon spiraled into addiction, leading to episodes of drug-induced psychosis. It wasn’t long before Sam was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a chronic and severe mental disorder characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.
The challenges the Family faced
The Daniel family faced numerous challenges as they navigated Sam’s journey with drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia.
- Stigma and Misunderstanding: The Daniel family found it challenging to ask for help and understanding since the stigma associated with mental illness frequently resulted in misinterpretation and judgment from friends, family, and the community.
- Emotional Turmoil: Witnessing Sam’s struggles with psychosis and schizophrenia took a toll on the entire family’s emotional well-being, leading to feelings of guilt, helplessness, guilt, and despair.
- Relapses and Setbacks: Despite periods of stability, Sam experienced relapses and setbacks in his journey towards recovery, leading to feelings of frustration and hopelessness for both Sam and his family.
- Choosing a Treatment Plan: Finding the right combination of therapy and medication to manage Sam’s symptoms was a challenging process, requiring trial and error and close collaboration with mental health professionals.
“If you have an underlying psychosis, drugs–including cocaine, cannabis, methamphetamine, PCP, LSD, and others–are going to make your illness worse,” Dr. Knable explains. “And even more concerning, the medicines you take to treat your mental disease will not be as effective.”
https://www.psycom.net/schizophrenia/drug-induced-psychosis
Therapy and Psychiatry Interventions:
Despite the challenges they faced, the Daniel family remained committed to supporting Sam on his journey towards healing. They sought help from mental health professionals, including therapists and psychiatrists, who played a crucial role in their journey.
- Individual Therapy for Sam: Sam engaged in individual therapy sessions with a licensed therapist trained in treating schizophrenia. Therapy focused on managing symptoms, building coping skills, and addressing underlying issues contributing to Sam’s struggles.
- Family Therapy: The Daniel family participated in family therapy sessions to improve communication, resolve conflicts, deal with their enabling antics, and strengthen family bonds. Family therapy provided a supportive space for processing emotions, addressing family dynamics, and enhancing understanding of Sam’s experiences.
- Medication Management: Under the care of a psychiatrist, Sam received medication management to manage his symptoms of schizophrenia. Close monitoring and adjustments to medication dosage were made based on Sam’s response and side effects.
- Crisis Intervention: In times of crisis or relapse, the Daniel family accessed crisis intervention services provided by mental health professionals. Crisis intervention involved safety planning, de-escalation techniques, and coordination of care to ensure Sam’s safety and well-being.
Studies have shown that cannabis can increase the risks of developing psychosis, particularly in subjects “already at risk for psychiatric disturbances.” Cannabis has the highest conversion rate (47%) to schizophrenia compared to other substance-induced psychosis
Bhatia A, Lenchner JR, Abdolreza S.Biochemistry, dopamine receptors. 2022. StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538242/
Finding Healing and Hope
Notwithstanding the difficulties they encountered, the Daniel family’s experience with drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia was characterized by forbearance, empathy, and a dedication to mutual aid. Through the combined efforts of therapy and psychiatric interventions, Sam and his family found healing and hope amidst the darkness of mental illness. While the road to recovery may be long and challenging, the Daniel family’s story serves as a reminder of the transformative power of love, support, and professional intervention in navigating mental health challenges as a family unit.
#HealingFamilies #PsychosocialSupport #MentalHealth
