[AmorDei]

Hello,

I'm a little lost and thought that I might reach out to those whom may be able to help me. My brother is suffering from some form of psychosis.

Months ago he had to quite his job and return home because he was battling alcoholism, drugs, and delusions. Once he was home my mother and I helped me (only recently) overcome his problem with drugs and alcohol. He was three months sober until about a week ago when he stormed out of the house and didn't return until the next day drunk. I'm not sure if he took any drugs or not.

He strove for two to three years to fight his addiction by taking suboxone. However, he rarely followed he prescribed dosage and usually ran out before his next appointment.

He believes that people are watching him. He's suggested everything from aliens, to his co-workers (before he quit), the government, terrorists, and quite frankly, he believes the entire world knows about him and has put him in the center of some sort of conspiracy or prank.

Last week he when he came home drunk, he blew up on me and my mother by grilling us from everything under the moon about what was going on. He thought (and maybe still does) that we're somehow involved in this conspiracy and keeping things from him.

He refuses to watch television or go on the internet because he says someone is sending him messages through those mediums. He thinks everything is bugged (from his phone to his care), and looks into everything that is being said and every reaction and somehow ties it into a secret message or code meant or him. For example, usually I say something like, "I'm going to Walmart." But if I were to say something such as, "I'm going to Wally World," he will assume the difference has some hidden meaning.

At first I thought that he was going through alcohol dementia from detoxing, but I'm not so sure now since it's been three months until last week and he doesn't seem to be getting any better. In fact, it's quite possible that he's getting worse.

I suppose my real question - and I understand that it's hard to answer since most people aren't doctors - but I'm wondering if he's going through long-term withdrawal from suboxone, or if this is in fact the onset of schizophrenia.

The reason I ask this is because I've read that some people can have similar symptoms from suboxone withdrawal for a year. Though I thought that I would ask those who have more experience in this situation.

I want to get him to a psychiatrist in order to get him evaluated. The problem is that his friends have told him the same thing and thinks they've all met up and conspired against him because they don't believe his delusions and suggest that he needs medical attention.

He also seems to go through ups and downs which makes me wonder if he may be bipolar or merely frustrated because no one believes him. I'm sure that he's going through a great deal emotionally as well.

He just stormed out of the house again accusing my mother of keeping him prisoner and dictating everything in his life. I'm not sure what he's talking about other than discouraging him and barring him from drinking.

If anyone could offer any advice and help I'd be terribly grateful. If I'm stepped over any boundaries or misspoke by not being sensitive to those reading, I truly apologize. Just know that was not my intention.

Thank you in advance and God bless you.

You made me laugh when you mentioned Wally World, Just because I hear people call Walmart that name, But on a serious note, Alot of people that use drugs and alcohol are actually self medicating and dont know they have a mental illness until they get sober, I am not a doctor so dont take what I am saying for fact, It could also be the withdrawl he is going threw that is causing these thoughts, Myself am a recovering alcoholic and I liked my benzodiazepines, I have been in detoxing programs more than once and every one else seemed to detox fine but me, That was when I found out I had mental health problems that I didnt know about, I was covering it up with substances, I guess they call it duel diagnosis that is when your a addict but also have a mental illness, He sounds like he really needs to get some help, I am sure he is going threw alot and it is painful, And painful for your whole family, Have you called A.A. or N.A. and tried to tell them what is going on, Maybe call a drug rehab or a decent psyc hospital, They also have a group on here for addicts you might want to check out, Withdrawal is a living hell I know this to be true, If you need any more advice you can message me and I am sending lots of hugs and prayers to your family, Please make some phone calls today and see if he will even go in some where out patient so he can come home every day

Some drugs can take along time to withdrawl from, I know benzodiazepines are the hardest and most painful drug to get off, And yes you have hallucinations and delusions, It can take up to 2 years to get off benzodiazepines, I would also google it and see if you can find any answers

[AmorDei]

Originally Posted by Rainne

Some drugs can take along time to withdrawl from, I know benzodiazepines are the hardest and most painful drug to get off, And yes you have hallucinations and delusions, It can take up to 2 years to get off benzodiazepines, I would also google it and see if you can find any answers

Rainne,

I appreciate your reply and support. I'm working on getting him insurance to start with since he lost it when he quit his job 8 months ago. My mother is researching psychiatrists in the area so that when the insurance kicks in we'll be prepared.

I'm not sure what drugs he took in the past, but I believe that they were more or less some form of bezodiazepines. He took suboxone for two to three years through a clinic.

The trick is going to be getting him to actually seek out help. The way he talks, I get the impression that he's always thought that he was smart enough to self-medicate, and therefore he claims that drugs have nothing to do with his current dilemma.

And as mentioned before, he believes that everyone is a part of some conspiracy against him to the point he rarely leaves the house until he explodes. The silver lining is that most days he's aware that his family loves him and he loves us. If nothing else, I hope to talk him to seeking help for our sake hoping that such and appeal might actually reach him.

He's mentioned before that he would be willing to see someone. Although I don't know what he's truly thinking since he accused his friends of getting together to conspire against him since they all asked him to get help, too. He may just see me as one of "them."

At any rate, tomorrow the paperwork for his insurance will be underway. Then we'll have options opened for us. At this point, since his symptoms are so extreme, I think it's wise to get him to a psychiatrist. Even if his situation is drug induced, it's not safe or healthy for him to go on like this for another year or two without some form of help.

Thanks again for your reply and I'll keep you offer in mind. I need to post five times before I can private message someone.

Have a great day and take care.

[AmorDei]

Originally Posted by Rainne

Have you called A.A. or N.A. and tried to tell them what is going on, Maybe call a drug rehab or a decent psyc hospital, They also have a group on here for addicts you might want to check out

Also, he is aware of A.A. because I actually attend meetings they have at my church to support them. I'm familiar and supportive of the program. But to compound matters, my brother is very shy and bottles things up. He doesn't like to expose himself and be what he calls vulnerable. It's hard to get him to open up with the family.

However, he isn't completely against it because when he was sober for three months he had some hard times that were truly tempting. During such a time he did mention about going to A.A. because I informed him of how hard it is to detox and be sober without a support group.

So there may still be hope. I'm not sure what is triggering his problem: the alcohol which leads to his aggregated delusions, or the delusions which compels him to drink. I'm sure they feed off of each other to some capacity.

[pennyroxbury]

Dear AmorDei
I am no doctor of any sort, however I have experienced schizophrenia as I am a mother to an adult daughter that has schizophrenia. I would like to ask you, does your brother hear “voices?” Voices that you or no one else can hear? Has he disclosed that information? Does he make utterance under his breath, like he’s talking to someone, or getting mad at someone? I understand how difficult, scary, and frustrating this is to you and your family. You obviously care and love your brother a great deal or you would not be here seeking help, and I am sure you will get him the professional help he so desperately needs. Please feel free to PM me and we can continue with this conversation. Stay strong <3

[Mygrandjourney]

This is a tough one to figure out without him being tested for the presence of drugs in his system. I would not hesitate to call 911 if this starts happening again. Make sure they know it is a psych emergency and not a criminal thing, though.