Drug Induced Mania and Psychosis

Drug Induced Mania

Learn how certain drugs can bring about a state of mania.

The manic state is a psychological state that features a burst of energy, rapid speech, and reduced need for sleep. This state of being is a common feature of bipolar, but it can also result from the use of recreational drugs. Some drugs, such as meth or cocaine, can bring about mania as a side effect.

Being in a manic state can be very risky. High-risk actions are common when in mania because impulse control is reduced. This is a result of the drug’s impact on the brain’s limbic system, where impulse control is regulated. Someone on the drug may believe they are invincible and can get injured as a result of their actions.

Drugs can also lead to psychosis. A state of psychosis features a break from reality. The drug, such as meth, club drugs like MDMA, or even highly potent cannabis can cause psychotic symptoms. These include paranoid thinking, hallucinations, and delusions.

Someone who becomes addicted to drugs and has these types of adverse events as a result, will need expert help. Going through detox and treatment, with the guidance and support of addiction specialists, can help them break free from drugs.

What is Mania? What Does Mania Feel Like?

Mania is a feature of certain mental health disorders. The most common manic-related mental illness is bipolar disorder. The manic events with bipolar feature an extreme mood state. There are different types of bipolar, but they all involve some level of mania. A manic episode may last a few hours or several days and may also include psychotic symptoms. The signs of the manic state may include:

• Intense euphoria.
• Abundance of energy.
• Racing thoughts.
• Rapid speech.
• Less need for sleep.
• Trouble paying attention or staying on task.
• Highly distracted.
• Impulsivity
• Feelings of grandiosity.
• Restlessness
• Disjointed thoughts.
• Heightened senses of light, sounds, and colors.
• Engage in high-risk actions.
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Paranoid thoughts.

People in the manic state may require hospitalization if symptoms include psychosis, or if a manic episode lasts a few days.

Drugs that Can Induce Mania

There are some drugs that can cause the symptoms of mania. Both alcohol and drug abuse can lead to these extreme effects. Substances that can cause drug-induced manic symptoms include:

• Alcohol
• Hallucinogens, such as LSD, PCP, MDMA, psychedelic mushrooms
• Benzos

These symptoms of mania can also come from medications. The drug might affect the person in an unusual way too, causing adverse side effects like a manic state.

These drugs could include:

• Antidepressants
• Heart medications
• Blood pressure drugs
• Opioids

With regard to SSRIs, the person may find they have more intense mania when they begin on drug therapy. In one study, more than half the people in the study that trialing SSRI therapy experienced mania or hypomania.

What is Psychosis?

Psychosis is a form of severe mental illness. The APA defines psychosis as the presence of both hallucinations and delusions, leading to a break from reality. There are different types of psychotic disorder, but they have some symptoms in common. The symptoms of psychosis include:

• Confused thinking.
• Disjointed speech.
• Slowed movements.
• Can’t express emotions.
• Decline in hygiene.
• Loss of interest in daily life.
• Strange behaviors.
• Aggression
• Sleep problems
• Paranoid thinking.
• Withdraws from friends and family.
• Hallucinations
• Delusions
• Thoughts of suicide.

When someone has a mental break, they will need to enter a hospital for acute stabilization.

Drugs that Can Induce Psychosis

Certain drugs can cause a loss of contact with reality. The effects include tactile, auditory, and visual hallucinations. Also, thought delusions and paranoid thoughts are also triggered by some drugs. While on the drug, the person’s action may become unsound, even violent. Their thoughts and speech may be jumbled.

What Drugs Trigger Mania?

In most cases, these symptoms are the result of repeated drug use over a long time. Other causes of psychosis can be due to the side effects from mixing drugs. An adverse effect caused by the body’s reaction to the drug can also occur. Drugs that can cause psychosis include:

• Meth
• PCP
• LSD
• MDMA
• Alcohol
• Cocaine
• Ketamine
• Cocaine
• Cannabis

Some prescription medications can have rare psychotic side effects, such as:

• Opioids
• Corticosteroids
• Muscle relaxers.
• SSRIs
• Anticonvulsants
• Antihistamines
• Blood pressure meds.
• Chemo drugs.

The Importance of Treatment

It is clear that adverse effects caused by drugs and alcohol can be very severe. In fact, some of these drugs can cause both mania and psychosis. In most cases, the effects caused by the drugs will resolve as the substance wears off. In some people, though, the adverse mental health effects are lasting.

Both the substance use disorder and the substance problem should be addressed and treated at the same time. The level of care is often based on how long there the substance use disorder (SUD) has been in place, and the daily dosing. Inpatient treatment offers the most benefit for someone with a long-term substance issue.

Treatment can help someone return to normal daily life. In treatment they will learn ways to push past the urge to use a substance, gaining new healthy thought patterns. An array of treatment actions will dovetail to help the person to live a life without drugs.

Treatment will include:

• Detox
• One-on-one therapy
• Group sessions
• 12-step
• Holistic methods
• Education

When treatment is combined with an aftercare plan, the chances for success in recovery increase. These include sober living housing, outpatient therapy sessions, support groups, and 12-step meetings.

If you or a loved one has had severe reactions to a substance, there is hope. It is indeed possible to gain a foothold over the SUD and improve mental wellness as well.

Palm Springs Behavioral Health Provides Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Palm Springs Behavioral Health offers relief from the severe effects of drugs. If you or a loved one has noticed manic or psychotic symptoms after using drugs, we can help you. Our top-notch treatment team is ready to guide you toward health and wellness with evidence-based treatment. For more detail about our program, please call Mental Wellness KS today at (888) 312-4262.