You might be noticing strange or concerning behavior in a loved one. They might accuse you of plotting against them. They might claim they’re at the center of a government conspiracy or identity theft. These moments of paranoia may feel surreal or shocking, and you might not realize something’s medically wrong until it feels like your loved one is slipping away into a dark hole of delusions or even hallucinations.
While paranoia can pop up during psychosis, it can also be a result of substance use disorder (SUD). If you didn’t know your loved one was using, this may create even more confusion. At St. Joseph Institute, we recognize that seeing a paranoid family member or friend can be traumatic, leaving you feeling hopeless.
That’s why we provide compassionate, people-first care that helps individuals suffering from substance-induced paranoia enter residential treatment in Port Matilda, stabilize, and find hope again. This guide will help you understand paranoia, which substances can cause paranoid symptoms and psychosis, and how to support your loved one.
What Is Paranoia?
Paranoia occurs when someone has extreme mistrust or suspicion of others. A paranoid person might genuinely believe that people are watching them, trying to hurt them, or secretly plotting against them. Paranoia in its most intense form can also create unshakable delusions that others are out to harm you. These thoughts feel 100% real to the person experiencing them, with the potential to cause extreme distress and fear.
Several mental health conditions can cause paranoia or make it worse, including:
- Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia commonly causes delusions and hallucinations that can make it hard to tell what’s real.
- Psychosis. Psychosis can create hallucinations or delusions that cause the person to lose touch with reality.
- Anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders may provoke paranoia since social fear can heighten suspicions about the intentions of others.
- Depression. Depression can feed into negative self-beliefs and fears of rejection, potentially making paranoia easier to experience.
Additionally, paranoid thoughts may also stem from low self-esteem, past trauma, or intense worry. The brain may try to explain odd sensations or emotions by creating unfounded stories that feel logical in the moment. When someone feels threatened, they may also act protectively—avoiding places, scanning for danger, or shutting others out.
Types of Substances That Cause Paranoia
Many substances can lead to paranoia. With enough use, stimulants, marijuana, and hallucinogens can all push you to become paranoid and see threats where none exist.
Here are some common substances that may trigger paranoia:
- Cocaine. Both short and long-term cocaine use can make you suspicious, hallucinate, or even develop full-blown cocaine-induced psychosis. These effects might linger even after the substance has worn off.
- Cannabis (THC). Research shows that people who use THC can often experience paranoid thoughts, although this reaction may be likelier with high-potency strains or if someone already feels anxious.
- Methamphetamines. This drug has a strong link to paranoia and psychosis. The longer someone uses meth, the likelier they are to experience these symptoms. People who use it at higher doses or in combination with other substances may have more intense paranoia.
Tips For Supporting a Loved One Who Suffers From Paranoia
It’s tough to know how to respond when your loved one says things that don’t make any sense. You might feel the urge to argue or show them why they’re wrong, but that can backfire. Paranoid thoughts may adapt when challenged, becoming even more elaborate.
Here are some ways you can offer support:
- Avoid arguing or trying to reason through delusions. Disputing the details may cause the person to double down. They may stretch the story to present new evidence, worsening the paranoia.
- Don’t play along. Agreeing or validating the delusion might seem like a way to build trust, but it can accidentally reinforce false beliefs.
- Stay calm and validate the emotion. You can communicate that you see how upset they are instead of focusing on whether their beliefs are true.
- Gently offer another perspective. Try saying that you see the situation differently and offer a calm explanation without pushing hard.
- Keep the conversation open. Make space for future talks and reassure them you’re here, even if you see things differently.
Find Recovery in Pennsylvania With St. Joseph Institute
If you’re seeing signs of paranoia or psychosis in your loved one and you feel they might be a danger to you or themselves, please contact emergency services immediately. If it’s not an emergency, we encourage you to contact us.
We’re here to support you through this tough time with one-on-one counseling and medical supervision if necessary. We can help you and your loved one begin the process of healing from substance-related paranoia.
