MySchizophreniaTeam2

That's a really important observation, and it sounds like what's been witnessed firsthand has been really difficult to see. There's absolutely such a thing as drug-induced psychosis, and it's very real.

A condition called anosognosia affects between 50% and 98% of people with schizophrenia — it's when someone genuinely Show Full Answer

That's a really important observation, and it sounds like what's been witnessed firsthand has been really difficult to see. There's absolutely such a thing as drug-induced psychosis, and it's very real.

A condition called anosognosia affects between 50% and 98% of people with schizophrenia — it's when someone genuinely cannot recognize that they have a problem. It's not denial; their brain literally doesn't register it. This makes self-medicating with substances more likely, since they may not see why they need proper treatment. Some people use substances to cope with overwhelming symptoms like hearing voices or feeling paranoid. Others use them to deal with side effects from antipsychotic medications. Unfortunately, this can make everything much worse.

Substances that are known to trigger or worsen psychosis include:

- Stimulants like amphetamines or MDMA
- Hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin
- Dissociatives like PCP or ketamine
- Marijuana products
- Certain prescription medications like opioids or benzodiazepines

For someone with schizophrenia, adding substances into the mix can make symptoms more frequent, more intense, and much harder to control. It can be a really dangerous cycle.

 AI-generated responses are not a substitute for medical advice. These services are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition or disease. Always ask your doctor about specific health concerns.

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