At St. Joseph Recovery Center, we know that you may not always know you need help for substance use disorder (SUD) until negative effects clearly start to manifest. For some people, that might mean developing serotonin syndrome from illicit substance use. In a nutshell, serotonin syndrome means your body has too much serotonin, and this excess can be life-threatening if you happen to lose consciousness while alone or during situations where an accident might occur.
In this article, we’ll learn what serotonin syndrome is, how SUD might cause it, and how we can support you in recovery while treating you for other diagnoses.
What is Serotonin and Why is it Important?
Understanding serotonin’s role in your bodily processes might help you make sense of why certain prescriptions or substances can complicate your recovery or even spark serotonin syndrome itself.
Serotonin is a key bodily chemical that helps you transmit messages between your nerve cells, brain, and body. It’s a key chemical during mood regulation, the digestion process, and sleep. Serotonin also assists in wound healing and bone health. When it’s too low, you might experience:
- Depression-like symptoms
- Anxiety
- Insomnia or sleep disturbances
In recovery, you may already be dealing with these symptoms during withdrawal or while attending inpatient care in Port Matilda. In any case, balanced serotonin levels are often essential for your well-being, especially since low serotonin can instigate mood swings and cravings.
Serotonin Syndrome Symptoms and Treatment
While you can see signs of serotonin syndrome when taking or adjusting the dosage of medications that interfere with blocking or absorbing serotonin, you can also see a problematic influx of serotonin in the body when using illicit substances.
If you develop serotonin syndrome, you may have uncomfortable, strong, or even serious reactions that could appear within hours of your body coming into contact with specific drugs. Mild reactions can include:
- Agitation, twitching muscles, or restlessness
- Confusion
- Loss of muscle coordination
- Headache
- Sweating, shivering, or goosebumps
More severe reactions might be rapid or irregular heartbeat, seizures, and high fever. Losing consciousness may be the most severe of all the reactions and can cause death depending on the circumstances.
If you suspect serotonin syndrome, seek medical attention as soon as possible, as you may need to be hospitalized and receive IV fluids, or at the very least, be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Doctors may also administer muscle relaxants, serotonin antagonists, or oxygen to bring you back to baseline.
Serotonin Syndrome and Substance Use Disorder
Certain substances can trigger serotonin syndrome, especially when mixed with other medications or if used in excess. LSD, ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamines, and even some prescription painkillers can increase serotonin levels dangerously. Fentanyl and cocaine can also trigger the disorder, along with other life-threatening symptoms.
Here’s more information to help you understand how we can help:
- Fentanyl: Known for its lethal potency, fentanyl can increase serotonin levels, especially when mixed with other substances. St. Joseph Institute offers specialized fentanyl recovery treatment in Pennsylvania, focusing on relapse prevention, general safety, and comprehensive, long-term healing.
- Opioid pain medications: Prescription opioids like oxycodone, tramadol, and hydrocodone can also trigger serotonin syndrome when misused or mixed with other serotonin-boosting substances.
- Cocaine: Often associated with heightened mood and energy, cocaine can also elevate serotonin levels. St. Joseph Institute provides evidence-based treatment to help individuals recover from cocaine dependence, regardless of serotonin syndrome.
- Amphetamines, Ecstasy, and any other serotonin-influencing substances: These stimulants can significantly raise serotonin, risking dangerous symptoms. Combining these with other substances can further increase risk. But no matter what substance you struggle with, we have general recovery services to offer.
We also have a detoxification program with 24/7 care ready for you or your loved one if you’re concerned about serotonin syndrome complicating withdrawal. However, inpatient and detox treatment aren’t always necessary, and that’s where our intensive outpatient treatment program in Wexford, PA, can help you manage symptoms while you return to a regulated state.
Find Recovery in Pennsylvania With St. Joseph Institute
If you or a loved one is dealing with serotonin syndrome, struggling with substance use, or both, St. Joseph Institute offers a safe, supportive environment for therapeutic and medical services that you can trust. Our staff is here to provide personalized care tailored to your needs, guiding you through detox and ongoing recovery as needed.
Contact us today to learn more about our programs, the support network we can build alongside you, and how we can support you and your family as you work to achieve wellness and joy.
