Psychosis is defined as a disconnect from reality, in which an individual experiences hallucinations or delusions they perceive to be real. While psychosis can be a symptom of many mental health disorders, it can also be caused by marijuana use. If you have are experiencing psychosis as a result of heavy marijuana use, it may be time to seek treatment.
Psychosis Symptoms
People amid a psychotic episode as a result of marijuana use may experience hallucinations. Hallucinations can make you see, hear, or feel things that do not exist.
Paranoia can make you think that everyone is out to get you. You may also feel disconnected from your thoughts, feelings, identity, memories, and emotions, a symptom called depersonalization. You may also experience irritability, anxiety, or racing thoughts during a psychotic episode. Once the substance wears off, these symptoms typically wear off as well.
Marijuana and Mental Health Disorders
If you have a mental health disorder and substance use disorder, this can increase your chances of developing psychosis. This could mean that marijuana can trigger a psychotic episode if you are at risk of psychosis.
Marijuana can also increase your chances of developing several mental health disorders like schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, and more. Researchers are still unsure if marijuana can be the cause of acquiring these mental health disorders.
However, marijuana may trigger the onset of certain mental health disorders in people. Marijuana may be more of a concern today because products with a high potency of more than 10% of THC are more available now than they were in the past.
Treatment for Psychosis
If you are experiencing an acute psychotic episode, you may require hospitalization until you are stable. If this psychosis is linked to marijuana use, sedative antipsychotics or benzodiazepines may be used to manage symptoms.
The best way to stop marijuana-induced psychosis is to discontinue using marijuana altogether. If you are a chronic marijuana user, you may need detox treatment in case any uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms occur. A doctor or mental health professional may recommend additional treatment methods like psychotherapy, antidepressants, and lifestyle changes.
Marijuana can cause symptoms of psychosis in which you are detached from reality. By seeking out treatment, you can learn how to live without marijuana and heal from the frightening reality of psychosis. At Alta Loma, we understand what marijuana can do to a person’s mental health, and we are here to help you. Our transformative treatment center can provide you with individualized therapy, 12-Step programs, medication management, and much more. Call us today at (866) 457-3843 for more information on our program.
