September is celebrated at the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Recovery Month. While Quiet Minds doesn’t deal directly with addiction, it’s no secret that drug abuse can lead to long-term mental health issues like psychotic episodes.
West Virginia in particular has suffered some of the opioid drug crisis’ most extreme consequences, with opioid abuse involved in 70 percent of all overdose deaths in 2018. That same year, West Virginia providers wrote 69.3 opioid prescriptions for every 100 persons, far above the national average of 51.4.
“Although opioids are not typically associated with psychosis, it is possible that some users may experience psychotic symptoms while under the influence or while experiencing withdrawal,” writes The Recovery Village’s Megan Hull. “Psychosis is a symptom, not an illness. A mental or physical illness, extreme stress or trauma or substance abuse can cause it.”
Opioids like kratom, fentanyl, and morphine can lead to hallucinations and other psychotic symptoms during use or withdrawal. During recovery, it’s important that users work with medical professionals to co-treat the symptoms of withdrawal and psychosis.
According to Psychology Today, “Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective, and people can and do recover.”
To celebrate, SAMSHA is hosting a series of webinars each week of the month to spotlight how communities throughout the United States have provided recovery support, the role employment has played in supporting recovery, and how access to behavioral health can help recovering addicts move on.
For more information, or to take part in the webinar series, visit recoverymonth.gov.