Substance abuse and mental health challenges often go hand in hand, creating complexities that can deeply impact an individual’s life. One particularly concerning combination is psychosis paired with substance abuse. This co-occurrence not only presents unique challenges but also requires a comprehensive and compassionate approach to treatment.
Let’s explore what psychosis looks like when combined with substance abuse and how our team addresses both to provide holistic care.
Recognizing Psychosis
Psychosis is a mental health condition characterized by a disconnection from reality. Individuals experiencing psychosis may deal with:
- Hallucinations (hearing, seeing, or feeling things that aren’t there)
- Delusions (strongly held false beliefs not aligned with reality)
- Disorganized thinking and speech
- Difficulty functioning in daily life
When psychosis is paired with substance abuse, the condition can worsen significantly. Certain substances, such as methamphetamine, cocaine, and even alcohol, can either induce psychotic symptoms or exacerbate existing mental health conditions. Substance-induced psychosis may involve paranoia, erratic behavior, or severe mood fluctuations, further complicating the individual’s well-being.
The Intersection of Psychosis and Substance Abuse
The relationship between substance abuse and psychosis can often feel like a vicious cycle. For some, substance use may trigger psychotic episodes. For others, individuals may use substances as a means of coping with their existing mental health challenges, inadvertently worsening symptoms or creating dependency. This cycle is deeply distressing for those impacted and often leads to feelings of isolation, fear, and helplessness.
Addressing both conditions simultaneously is critical. Treating only the substance abuse or the psychosis independently often overlooks the root causes and ongoing triggers, leading to higher rates of relapse.
How We Approach Treatment
At Evolve Indy, we understand the unique challenges of dual-diagnosis cases like psychosis combined with substance abuse. Our team takes an integrated approach, ensuring both mental health and addiction concerns are addressed together rather than in isolation. Our treatment approach includes:
Comprehensive Assessments
Every individual’s experience is different. We start by conducting thorough assessments to understand the extent of both the psychotic symptoms and substance use. This allows us to create a tailored treatment plan focused on the person’s specific needs.
Specialized Care Plans
By offering dual-diagnosis treatment, we treat both the substance use disorder and the mental health component simultaneously. This may include:
- Detox services to safely manage withdrawal symptoms
- Therapy sessions aimed at addressing the underlying causes of substance abuse
- Medication management, when appropriate, to stabilize psychotic symptoms
Evidence-Based Therapies
Our approach incorporates evidence-based treatments like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT). These therapies help individuals cope with their thoughts, manage triggers, and find healthy ways to address challenges.
Ongoing Support and Aftercare
Recovery doesn’t stop when treatment ends. We provide continuous support through aftercare programs, giving individuals the tools and resources to maintain long-term stability and prevent relapses.
Take the First Step to Recovery
Living with psychosis and substance abuse can feel overwhelming, but help is available. You don’t have to face these challenges alone. At Evolve Indy, we help individuals regain control of their lives through compassionate, specialized care.