Partner been admitted to psychiatric unit need some advice?

Question

My partner was admitted to a mental health ward last weekend after becoming dellusional and paranoid from use of canabis. It appears he has some sort of psychosis from drug use and is on an anti psychotic. Just wondered if anyone knew of any help or aupport available for the families online?

A support group or something online for the family. Not lying they are currently treating him with Rispiridone.

We are in the Uk

Answer 1

Hi. I am in the Uk too. Try looking at the website for the mental health charity Rethink (I think it is www.rethink.org but try searching yahoo for it just to make sure) They are a charity that help both mental health service users and families and carers alike. Cannabis is well known to cause paranoia and can also trigger serious, long-term mental illness, so I think you really need some support. I think people who think Cannabis is harmless are a bit naiive (no offense to you or your partner) Make sure that when they discharge him, he gets appropriate and ongoing support in the community, and if he is going to stay on meds, make sure you both get plenty of info on all the side effects and when to take them, etc. Ask the hospital if there are any support groups in your area. Sometimes there are local "carers" groups, where families, friends and partners can help to support each other. Also try the Princes Royal Trust for Carers. I know you may not see yourself as a "carer", but you do really need some support, and these people are there to help people like yourself. It can be a real shock when someone we love gets taken ill. I have been in both situations, I have been admitted to a psych ward myself, and also one of my exes was admitted at one time when we were together, so I know what it is like from both sides. The main thing is, he is safe and being looked after, and you need to keep looking after yourself and stay strong for him. I wish you all the best.

Answer 2

Actually, this is a good place online. I would like to recommend you find a support group through the hospital.

There is an organization all across the US called NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness that has support of all kinds for the ill AND THEIR LOVED ONES. It has been of huge help to us. NAMI has support groups, free education, classes, seminars, is an advocacy group, and is basically the voice for mentally illness in the USA.

Please ask at the hospital and check out the website to get the support you need. They are WONDERFUL!

Also, your partner will probably need support groups, like 12-step groups or the like, and the hospital should be able to help with that. You will benefit from that support, too. (Alanon is not just for the loved ones of alcoholics but those of substance abusers. Mine used cannabis and more, not alcohol, and Alanon probably saved MY life at the worst time.)

Good luck to you. I know it can be extremely frightening. Use all the support you can find. Know you are not alone. If you can, write back and leave word as to how you are doing.

Answer 3

psych wards deal not only with mental health issues but also drug addiction. You may want to contact Narcotics Anonymous in your area and seek addiction councelling available through most hospitals and institutions.http://www.na.org/index.htm

Answer 4

There's more going on that just using pot to cause this. You can always check out NA - Narcotics Anonymous or the psych hospital will be happy to give you some suggestions.

Answer 5

Why not google drug support or something similar, and see what comes up?
If not, then can you ask someone at the unit, or a doctor?

Answer 6

The pot must have been laced with something. What kind of support group were you looking for?? One for you, or for him when he gets out of the psych ward?

Answer 7

that is not possible. either he took other drugs or you are lying

Answer 8

dailystrength.org