Category: Mental health

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A psychotic episode can be triggered by many different things, including use of marijuana or other substances. People struggling with psychotic disorders may also have developed an addiction while trying to self-medicate.

Psychotic disorders, rather than psychosis itself, are represented in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. These disorders can fall into five different categories that may be experienced by a person who is having a psychotic episode. The first two, delusions and hallucinations, are commonly associated in the popular imagination with psychosis. The next two are disorganized thought or disorganized behavior. The fifth is something known as negative symptoms, which can resemble an extreme form of depression. The person may appear emotionless or lack the ability to focus at all, for example, or in more extreme cases, they may become catatonic.

Psychosis as a Five-Stage Process

What happens when a person experiences a psychotic disorder is often broken down into three stages: early, acute and recovery. However, there is another way to look at psychosis as well. Understanding psychosis and recovery as a five-stage process is about acknowledging that there is greater complexity to the situation than “psychotic” and “not psychotic” and that the recovery process itself may not be simple and straightforward for everyone.

First Stage

Both models agree that the first stage of psychosis can resemble other mental health problems and may therefore be difficult to identify, particularly in individuals who have not had a psychotic episode in the past. In addition, as is the case with each stage, not everyone will experience this initial stage.

For those who do, this stage can last for weeks or months. The symptoms vary, and it is unlikely that an individual will experience all of them.

Some symptoms are similar to those experienced by someone who is struggling with stress and depression. These symptoms may include the following:

• depression
• withdrawal
• difficulty sleeping
• difficulty getting out of bed
• changes in appetite
• trouble concentrating
• anxiety
• poor functioning

There are other symptoms that are less commonly associated with stress and which could be more easily recognized as the precursor to a psychotic episode:

• magical thinking
• suspicion
• belief that strangers are sending signals or trying to control them
• other strange ideas

One of the difficulties in identifying the first stage of psychosis is that symptoms can also manifest as restlessness, excitability and hyperactivity. A person might actually seem very upbeat as they head into a psychiatric crisis. However, these could also be symptoms of hypomania and not of a full-fledged psychotic episode.

For people vulnerable to psychosis and their loved ones, it is important to be on the alert for all of these symptoms. In some cases, it might be possible to take steps to prevent moving to the next stage and preventing a psychotic episode, such as getting more rest, focusing on a routine or increasing medication. Even people who are not in danger of a psychotic break can benefit from some of these steps.

Second Stage

The second stage, which is sometimes referred to as the “critical” or “acute” period, is the one in which the person experiences a full-blown psychotic episode.

This may manifest in several different ways, but in general, the individual loses a sense of what is and is not real.

Hallucinations, delusions and unusual behavior are common in a person who is in this acute period. Hallucinations can include hearing, seeing or smelling things that are not there. Delusions can take a number of different forms, including delusions related to religion or persecution. People might begin to believe that they are victims of a conspiracy, or they might experience delusions regarding their body.

A person’s behavior at this stage can alarm family, friends or coworkers. However, when the psychotic disorder takes the form of negative symptoms, it can be less obvious to people around the individual that the person is not simply experiencing severe depression. The person might just appear to be less and less involved in their own life and might seem to be acting strangely. It can therefore take longer for these people to get the treatment that they need.

Third Stage

Traditionally, the third stage of psychosis has been considered recovery. However, this stage can be further broken down into three stages itself to better understand what an individual is going through and how they perceive themselves and the world following an episode involving a psychotic disorder.

The first of these stages is the knowledge of vulnerability that the episode has created. The person no longer suffers from the beliefs, delusions or other symptoms. However, knowing what happened to them and that their minds are vulnerable to disorder can be destabilizing, especially if it is the first time the person has suffered from an episode of psychosis.

The individual may struggle to cope with their own feelings about what happened as well as the way that the society around them views psychosis and the reaction of friends and family.

There can be a challenge while the person accepts this new knowledge about themselves. If it is not their first psychotic episode, they might still struggle with the fact that they did not believe that they would experience another one or that it would be as difficult as it was.

Fourth Stage

In the fourth stage, the person may struggle with motivation as they begin to get treatment and accept what has happened to them. This can actually be a hopeful stage as the individual works with their care team to develop strategies to cope with their issues.

One of the challenges people may face at this point is getting their medication just right. For example, they may want to try to figure out what the minimal amount of medication they can take is, particularly since medications can come with side effects. This could be difficult, and in some cases, their medical providers may be reluctant to reduce their dosage.

Another challenge is that the individual’s family and friends may go overboard in trying to protect them at this stage. This is a natural urge, but while people initially do need safety and security in order to recover, they also need the opportunity to move beyond that and test their ability to thrive in the wider world.

People may also struggle with negative emotions related to their behavior during the psychotic disorder such as embarrassment.

Doctors, counselors and other health care providers can work with individuals at this stage to help them recover and be alert to future signs of a crisis, which can sometimes be prevented with early recognition.

Fifth Stage

The fifth and final stage of psychosis could in some ways be compared to the final adjustment period in many other stages of life. This is the point at which the individual has a better comprehension of what happened to them, their condition and how to prevent it.

Reaching this stage does not mean that a person will never experience a psychotic disorder again, but they are better equipped to recognize it in its early stages and potentially take steps to stop it from becoming more serious.

The person may not be working as frequently with their care team and may or may not still be using medication, but they will know how to access resources when they need them.

It could take months or years for someone to reach this stage. However, it can be a powerful time in a person’s life, when knowledge of their vulnerability is fused with experience and understanding that can allow them to help themselves and others who struggle with psychotic disorders.

If you have experienced symptoms of psychosis as a result of addiction or are struggling with addiction, there is help. Contact the Long Island Treatment Center in Hicksville, New York for more information.

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It can be difficult to deal directly with the pain from a toxic relationship, childhood abuse or other traumatic events. However, failure to address them may cause you to develop unhealthy behaviors such as becoming dependent on drugs or alcohol. You may also find yourself triggered by certain sounds, smells or locations that remind you of your trauma. Fortunately, tools such as rapid resolution therapy (RRT) can help you regain control of your life.

What Is RRT?

Working with a therapist, you will talk about your trauma and the negative thoughts and feelings associated with it. For instance, you may refuse to eat ice cream because it was what you were eating when a family member assaulted you when you were six. Through RRT, you regain control of the narrative surrounding what happened to you. Ultimately, you realize that avoiding ice cream wasn’t going to help you process your pain or otherwise help you gain control over your life.

Instead, you learn that what happened to you wasn’t your fault and that the blame lies with whoever hurt you. Over time, your mind starts to reframe the incident in a healthier manner, which results in reduced feelings of hurt, fear or anxiety. This is what allows you to eventually move past your trauma and start living life for yourself again.

How Long Does It Take Rapid Resolution Therapy to Work?

It can take as little as one or two sessions to see the benefits of RRT. A typical session can last anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes depending on your needs and other factors. Therefore, you may be able to see a marked improvement in your mental health in the same amount of time it takes to watch your favorite movie.

Of course, everyone is different, so it may take a few extra sessions before you start to notice a change in your life. Your progress will be dictated by a number of factors such as the type of trauma that you endured and your own willingness to be forthcoming about it. In other words, the more you are able to commit to the process, the easier it will be to make progress in less time.

However, you shouldn’t worry about how long it takes to get the help that you need. As long as you are making progress and starting to feel good about yourself, it really doesn’t matter if it takes you a week or a couple of months to see results.

RRT Can Be Used With Other Forms of Therapy

You don’t have to limit yourself to Rapid Resolution Therapy or stop other treatments in favor of this method. Instead, you can continue to engage in traditional group or personal therapy sessions, take part in cognitive behavior therapy (CBT) or take other actions as you see fit. Your RRT therapist will figure out the best way to meet your needs inside and outside of his or her office.

You Won’t Be Cured Overnight

Although your mental health may improve through the use of RRT, it shouldn’t be seen as a cure for your mental or physical health issues. By reframing your issues, you give yourself a pathway to address them and overcome them in a healthy manner. However, you still have to do the work to get yourself down that path and to the finish line.

Of course, you may discover that your trauma is something that you can manage but never truly get rid of. This means that you’ll always need to be mindful of what might make you vulnerable and develop long-term coping strategies for when you feel stressed or overwhelmed.

The Link Between Trauma and Addiction

The idea that no one specific therapy is going to cure you is especially potent if your trauma led to dependency on drugs or alcohol. While it’s possible that overcoming your trauma will make you less likely to drink or use drugs, your body will always crave your substances of choice on some level.

Therefore, you’ll need to make sure that you attend group meetings or at least have someone you can talk to when you feel anxious or stressed. Inpatient assistance will likely be necessary if you are still using drugs or alcohol and have not yet begun the detox process.

This is because you may encounter a number of mental and physical health problems that can last for several hours or days. For instance, you may hear voices or see people who aren’t real. You may also feel the urge to harm yourself or others. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to check into a program where you can withdraw in a safe and controlled environment.

There will likely be a doctor or team of doctors on staff who can provide medication or other assistance if necessary. Even if your detox goes well, a staff doctor or therapist may be able to diagnose you with ADHD, depression or other ailments that might have otherwise gone undetected. Having such a diagnosis can provide important context for yourself and future therapists in meeting your needs in a timely and effective manner.

If you or a loved one are struggling to cope with a traumatic event, you’re encouraged to look into Rapid Resolution Therapy and similar therapies. The folks at Long Island Interventions are ready to help you live a healthier life free of the negative consequences associated with drug or alcohol dependency. Our website has more information about our services, your financial options and how to enroll in your preferred treatment plan.

Home / Mental health

Many medications do not pair well with alcohol. Sometimes, consuming alcohol with a specific medication can lead to unpleasant effects like dizziness or nausea. It can potentially lead to dangerous effects on others. Many people wonder if fluconazole is one of those medications. To understand the potential risks of taking it while drinking alcohol, it is essential to understand what the medication is, how it works, and the effects alcohol has on the body with and without fluconazole.

What Is Fluconazole?

Fluconazole is the generic name for Diflucan. The drug is classified as an azole antifungal and is prescribed for preventing or treating yeast or fungal infections.[1] Fluconazole inhibits the growth of some types of fungus. Also, it can kill some types that cause infections. The medication works by attacking the fungus and creating holes in the membrane.[2] This means that the contents of the fungus behind the membrane leak out. A result is a well-rounded approach to treating an infection with a dual benefit.

Most people notice an improvement in symptoms within as little as a week or longer. For instance, someone with vaginal thrush may notice symptom improvement after a week.[2] However, it may take about two weeks for someone with a severe fungal infection to see symptoms improve.

Does Alcohol Make Fluconazole Less Effective?

No, alcohol does not make fluconazole less effective. Some people may feel it does if they do not see an improvement in symptoms within the average time frame. The lack of improvement does not come from ineffective medicine. Instead, it comes from alcohol itself. The fluconazole still performs its job in most cases. However, the adverse effects that alcohol has on yeast or a type of fungus can counteract the effectiveness of fluconazole. It helps to understand how alcohol may affect an infection.

How Alcohol Affects the Immune System and Fungal Infections

Two key issues are important to understand with alcohol consumption and fungal infections. The first is the immune system. Without a robust immune system, fighting any infection or illness is hard. Over the last several decades, research has revealed many adverse effects of alcohol and the immune system. In several complex ways, alcohol disrupts immune pathways that limit the body’s ability to fight infections.[3] Also, it can negatively affect the body’s ability to repair injured tissue. Those are just a couple of potential effects on the body.

The second key issue to consider is how alcohol affects fungal growth. With all the recent trends in supplements to improve the microbiome, many people know the importance of maintaining good bacteria in the gut. However, the microbiome also encompasses fungi, viruses, and archaea.[4] Research shows that alcohol can change the microbiome or community of microorganisms in the gut in a negative way.[5] It encourages both bacterial and fungal overgrowth in the gut.[5] Also, some alcoholic drinks have high sugar content, and candida yeast feeds on sugar.[6] In multiple ways, alcohol only fuels a fungal infection. This is why some people feel that fluconazole is ineffective if they consume alcohol regularly while they take it.

Possible Effects of Combining Fluconazole and Alcohol

One of the reasons why health experts often advise against alcohol consumption while taking fluconazole is that it can potentially lead to liver damage. In one study, about 5% of patients who consumed alcohol while taking fluconazole experienced hepatoxicity.[7] Other studies have also shown that people who drink alcohol while taking the medication have elevated liver enzymes, which is an issue that is observable through blood tests.

As stated in the previous section, alcohol can also feed harmful bacteria and lead to an overgrowth in the gut. This means that taking fluconazole to treat a fungal infection may feed bad bacteria and the harmful fungus the medication should treat. When that microbiome imbalance continues for longer, research shows that it can lead to alcoholic liver disease.[5] To complicate matters, people who consume alcohol to the point that it weakens the immune system are also more susceptible to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome.[3]

Is Alcohol Safe To Drink While Taking Fluconazole?

According to health experts, it is safe for most people to consume one drink while taking fluconazole.[8] However, this applies to otherwise healthy people. Those who take other medications that may interact with alcohol and those with liver issues or other health problems should still avoid alcohol. Daily alcohol consumption or heavy drinking episodes can lead to the adverse effects discussed in earlier sections. Another risk of consuming alcohol with or without fluconazole is developing a substance use disorder or an addiction.

Alcohol Addiction Treatment

People who develop an addiction to alcohol cannot stop drinking even though they understand and recognize the harm it does to them. For example, someone who causes a serious accident and loses a job because of alcohol is aware of its consequences. If the person is addicted, the individual will still try to consume alcohol. A person addicted to alcohol must consume more to avoid withdrawal and its unpleasant feelings or side effects. Once someone is addicted, the only solution is professional treatment.

Detox is the first step in treatment to help the body adjust to living without alcohol. There are partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, aftercare, and other programs to meet various need levels. People go through cognitive behavioral therapy to learn about their triggers or behavior causes and find ways to cope or change behaviors. They often have group, family, and individual therapy sessions. There is dual diagnosis treatment for those with coexisting mental health issues. Because mental health issues often lead people to start drinking, it is crucial to treat addiction and mental health issues together. Professional treatment facilities provide support and teach people the strategies to break the cycle of addiction.

Find Alcohol Addiction Treatment Near Long Island

There is hope if you or someone you know is struggling with alcohol misuse. Long Island Treatment Center offers several treatment structures, including aftercare, dual diagnosis treatment, intervention assistance and more. In addition to treatment for alcohol addiction, we have programs for heroin addiction, opioid addiction, and other forms of drug addiction. Please contact us to learn more.

References
[1] https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-3780-5052/fluconazole-oral/fluconazole-oral/details
[2] https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/fluconazole/
[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4590612/
[4] https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2018.03249/full
[5] https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/fungi-gut-linked-alcoholic-liver-disease
[6] https://flo.health/menstrual-cycle/health/symptoms-and-diseases/how-to-get-rid-of-candida
[7] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK548300/
[8] https://www.drugs.com/medical-answers/fluconazole-can-you-drink-alcohol-while-using-one-146854/