Does a history of mental illness or schizophrenia in my family mean there is a greater risk of having a psychotic episode if I use street drugs?
A. Evidence indicates that if someone has a predisposing factor, drugs like cannabis (marijuana, hash, hash oil, etc.) may trigger an episode of schizophrenia. This may or may not clear up when use of the drug stops. If your family has a history of mental illness, extra caution might be wise. Street drugs can be risky for anyone, but for people with schizophrenia, they are particularly dangerous. As mentioned earlier, certain drugs can cause relapses and make the illness worse.
A. Evidence indicates that if someone has a predisposing factor, drugs like cannabis (marijuana, hash, hash oil, etc.) may trigger an episode of schizophrenia. This may or may not clear up when use of the drug stops. If your family has a history of mental illness, extra caution might be wise. Street drugs can be risky for anyone, but for people with schizophrenia, they are particularly dangerous. As mentioned earlier, certain drugs can cause relapses and make the illness worse.
Related Questions
- Does a history of mental illness or schizophrenia in my family mean there is a greater risk of having a psychotic episode if I use street drugs?
- Does depression or other history of mental illness mean a patient has impaired decision making capacity?
- What does it mean if someone is "at risk of developing a psychotic disorder"?
