Every person has their own profile of sensitivities and talents. How does mental distress work, and what helps? Read it on What mental distress is.
Reliable information about alcohol and drugs
The pages below were written with care by the professionals of PsychosisNet.
- Cannabis, nitrous oxide, ketamine and psychosis. What we know about substances and psychosis, and which signs to take seriously.
- Drug use and psychosis. It is often thought that drugs can cause a psychosis. That is too simple. What is true is that drug use raises the chance of a psychosis.
- Alcohol, drugs and antipsychotics. Drugs and alcohol can influence how antipsychotics work. You can become sleepy or drunk more quickly, for example.
- Alcohol, drugs and antidepressants. The combination of antidepressants and alcohol can make you sleepy and drowsy. Using drugs together with antidepressants is strongly advised against.
- Bipolarity, alcohol and drugs. Many people with bipolarity have periods in their life in which abuse of or addiction to alcohol or drugs plays a part.
Addiction and medication
When people think of addiction, they often think of alcohol, smoking, gambling or drugs. You can also be addicted to a medicine. When the body has to let go of the substance or the habit, withdrawal symptoms can occur.
Read the tips for tapering off your medication.
Do you need help now?
PsychosisNet offers information. We do not offer a chat, a helpline or crisis support. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call the emergency number in your country. If you are thinking about suicide, or you need to talk to someone now, see Need help now? for helplines by country.
Prof. dr. Jim van Os, Chair Division Neuroscience, Utrecht University Medical Centre. Jim works at the interface of ‘hard’ brain science, health services research, art and subjective experiences of people with ‘lived experience’ in mental healthcare.
Jim has been appearing on the Thomson-Reuter Web of Science list of ‘most influential scientific minds of our time’ since 2014. In 2014 he published his book ‘Beyond DSM-5‘, and in 2016 the book ‘Good Mental Health Care’. In 2026 he published 'Wat psychisch lijden is'.
Want to read more?
Blogs by Jim van Os can be read here
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