Mania is a disruptive condition that involves an abnormally elevated mood, unrealistic beliefs and feelings of being invincible. While manic episodes are characteristic of illnesses like bipolar I disorder, some substances can trigger mania as well. What are the signs and symptoms of drug-induced mania?
Symptoms of Mania
Usually, mania starts with small changes in your thoughts and behavior and gradually worsens if left untreated.
You might notice warning signs like these:
- Feeling energetic, euphoric and self-important
- Talking very quickly
- Needing less sleep than usual
- Spending a great deal of time working on projects
- Having racing thoughts
- Coming up with lots of exciting ideas and plans, even if you have no way to execute them
- Being distractable, irritable or agitated
- Hallucinating or having illogical thoughts
What Causes Mania?
Manic episodes can be unpredictable, especially if you don’t know your triggers. If you are genetically predisposed to mental illness or substance use disorders, taking anything that changes your brain’s chemistry can be dangerous. You may experience drug-induced mania if you take too much of a specific drug or combine different drugs in hopes of magnifying their effects. In some cases, mania can be a withdrawal symptom when you try to stop using.
Drug-induced mania usually only lasts while you are under the influence, which means your symptoms’ severity might increase when you take larger doses. Medically supervised detox is the first step in ending your physical and psychological dependence on addictive substances and regaining control over your life.
What Drugs Can Inspire Mania?
Some prescription drugs known to induce manic episodes include levodopa, corticosteroids and antidepressants. If you experience any manic symptoms when taking your medicine as prescribed, immediately call your doctor. They can advise you whether to stop using that medication or prescribe you an alternative that may have less risky side effects.
Illegal drugs that can cause a manic euphoria are meth and cocaine. These substances make users more energetic and alert, with the delusional belief that they can do anything. If you have bipolar disorder or suspect you might, taking drugs to regulate your emotions or provide an escape from reality can worsen your mental health.
Southern California Addiction and Mental Health Treatment
Many people who struggle with their well-being benefit from being in a compassionate, structured environment where they can participate in therapies designed to facilitate their recovery journey. At Hope by the Sea, we offer a comprehensive set of treatment tracks to meet our clients’ unique needs.
To learn more about what sets our family-owned facility apart and explore our specialties, please contact us whenever you’re ready. We understand it can be challenging to admit you have a problem you can’t solve by yourself, but we are here to take your confidential call 24/7.
