Drug-Induced or Organic Psychosis

What is Drug-Induced or Organic Psychosis?

As the song goes, “…times they are a-changin’.”  Truer words were never spoken.  We live in a new world, a world where substance abuse among our teenagers (and some even younger, unfortunately) is epidemic.  Methamphetamine, whet, opiates, benzodiazepines, GHB, cocaine–the list goes on and on.  Our children are vulnerable like they have never been any time before in history.  Young minds are experimenting with, being altered by and, sometimes, causing irrevocable damage by using drugs that have never been available to anyone ever on such a scale.  Even cannabis, cut, cured and sold with various other substances poses a significant risk to the mental health of our children.

I’ve seen the damage that substances do first-hand.  I know what these symptoms look like and I know how and if they can be treated.  I have treated children and adolescents for years on inpatient psychiatric units and helped many regain full functionality following their substance abuse episodes.  From mild alterations in mood to florid psychosis, I have helped children, adolescents and families regain control of their minds and lives.

Symptoms Include:

• Hallucinations or delusions
• Disorganized behavior
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking clearly
• Trouble communicating
• Paranoia and suspicion
• Catatonia
• Lack of personal grooming
• Withdrawal from loved ones