That is what my dear close friend tells me.
He has been using crack for about six months (Pior to that he had been clean for 15 years). Got Clean for four months and then went on a being for a week.

He thinks people are fowling him (military or some type of fed agency)
I believe that he is suffering from Bi-polar. I read that when people use a lot that can cause Bi- polar.
He swears that now they have bugged his house and take photos of his wife having sex with other people. Then send him the pictures through the window in projection form. He thinks that people follow behind him and flash there head lights to opposite travelers to signal that they are fowling him now.
Or that the street lights turn off as he gets ready to pass them.

I asked him if he thought he might be bi- polar and he said NO and I'm not crazy. This stuff is really happening, it has been happening for a long time he says he just stopped telling people because they all think he's losing his mind.

I asked why did he think these people would be doing this to you then, he said as an experiment to see if they could make him turn back to drugs and break up his family.

My question is how do I get him to see that these are delusions and not reality.
Does anyone know who you could turn to help him get help, with out being involved. The look in his eye is so scary because he truly feels these things are real. He said its like in the movies where everyone thinks the person is crazy and no one believes them but turns out he really isn't crazy.
My heart is breaking for him and his family any suggestions or comments would be appreciated.
RAM

Oh what a horrible situation for you and for him. Crack can cause bizarre behaviour, especially paranoid thoughts. He may have a pre-existing mental condition or disease that is being amplified by using crack. There is little you can do to convince him that these things are not happening but you can try to find counseling in his area and write down the numbers and ask him to call and make an appointment to go and see someone. Getting him to go to detox would be a very good approach however he will have to want to go on his own and you can't force him. If he starts behaving in a way that could possibly threaten his life or the life of another then you should call someone professional for advice. If he is delusional then he will need professional help quickly. There is probably little you can do as far as convincing him that these things are not real. Unfortunately it is the drug that is controlling him and that is not something that will be rational in thought.
My prayers are with you, him and his family. Please keep us posted and be very cautious.
p.s. if you need help finding resources please let me know and I can help you out with that, just pm me.

Thank you for the fast reply.
But these things he is saying he is not under the influence.
Do you think that this is part of him coming off of the drug.
I don't know when I went to visit him in detox for the four months he was there, he started to mention that stuff about people fowling him on the bus and he wasn't using then either.
I don't know its just so hard to watch him fall apart like this.
Thanks again

Well none of us here are experts in this however if his behaviour is not normal then he needs help no matter if he is using drugs or not.
When you talk to him about this how does he react ? Does he seem to see that you are telling him the truth or is he firm on his beliefs ?

Yes I realize there are no experts her. But do know that there are people here that have maybe experienced similar things.

He is firm on his beliefs, and even trys to get me to see what he sees.
When I say no I dont see that or come on thats not what that is, he thinks Im against him and shuts down.

We have a mental health forum on PTO which might offer some resources for you. You can find that forum here: http://www.prisontalk.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=112

In a word - yes! Delusions and paranoia can linger long after the high is gone. My ex-husband went so far as to contact the FBI, thinking someone was plotting against him. He did this when he was about 45 days clean. It is, of course, possible that there are co-occurring problems, i.e.: substance abuse and a mental health issue.

Bipolar disorder is not characterized by delusions. Rather, it is a combination of episodes of depression followed by episodes of mania. I explain it to my clients as "high-highs followed by low-lows". Sometimes these swings occur over a period of time, sometimes within a few hours.

I also would recommend that you try to get him to speak with a mental health professional in your area.

Good luck!
Tracy

When my ex was out last time he was convinced that "they" were following him around in cars. So, he started recording license plate numbers, but they would keep changing their plates. And, he would totally justify that the "tree and bush" people were looking through the windows at him. And, he also lost an argument with the Lazy Boy chair. It's called 'cocaine induced paranoia' and many can and do become violent.

Depending on what state you live in there are different laws that will protect him from himself. See if your state recognizes the Marchment Act or the Baker Act.

Just a thought I dont think your friend is bi-polar ..
I think he is ( and I know I wont spell this correct but hopefully you will understand) I think he is paronoid scitaphina ( some one please correct my spelling sorry)

If he is using drugs those alone add the behavior he is having but if he is what I think then it makes it 5 times worst...

Bi-polar is mostly mood swings one day happy then next sad, the next moody, the next a combo of all the above moods..

As far as help, does he have family you can talk to other than his wife?
Here in Florida we have a law called the Baker Act where the family or even
law enforcement can have them commit and checked...

I do hope this helps you.. and the only reason I am sure he has what I tried to tell you is that I have an aunt that acts just like that.

I pray he does find treatment

Blessings
Tina

I am glad someone knows what I am trying to say..
DUH ME!! didnt read the prior posts only skimmed through them..

Blessings
Tina

I work with people who have dual diagnosis mental illness and drug/alcohol addiction. Your friend needs medical attention fast. Everyone is right, psychosis DOES happen even when a person hasn't used actually alot of times the paranoia is more prominent when the person is off drugs as the feelings aren't being masked. It can be very frightening, for the person as well as the people witnessing the behaviour. Hang in there, you can only try! There are treatments available that can keep the symptoms under control so there is light at the end of the tunnel however only when the person is ready for help. Good luck thinking of you!!!

I've often wondered how anyone in todays society could not be somewhat crazy. Yet I find it very disturbing how many habitual offenders say, I'm Not Crazy! They somehow manage to pass a phyciatric evaluation with out any problems. Drugs, insanity, very fine line. If it were only drugs, insanity is sure to follow, however, insanity is cured by drugs,(medication), or so we are told. There are way too many sane individuals in the wrong places. I mean no offense. A close friend of mine was given the choice of 25 yrs in a mental instituion, or 5 yrs in prison, HUH? Of course he went for the 5. That was over 10 yrs ago, & from what his family has said, he will never get out. He complains that he doesn't recieve his medication, & that causes his outburst & bizzare behavior. How could he of even been given this offer, I'll never understand. Yet, I have heard people who say they are being watched or their phones were tapped, & it was true. We have very little knowledge of what can be done, & I used to believe they were paranoid, until a neighbor, whose husband was sane & a drug addict, told me to be more careful of what I said on my cordless phone. She repeated a personal phone call I had that morning. Paranoid, sometimes thats because they know how to, or have seen it done. How can we tell the diffrence when the proffesionals evaluating soooooooooo many, can't tell. It is truley heartbreaking to know a loved one needs help, & can't or won't for reasons we might not know, get help. My blessings to all of us facing this dilemea.

I think he is ( and I know I wont spell this correct but hopefully you will understand) I think he is paronoid scitaphina ( some one please correct my spelling sorry)
Tina
Was it 'paranoid schizophrenia' that you were referring to?

My ex mother-in-law "God rest her soul" was paranoid schizophrenia, she plastered the living room ceiling with miracle whip thinking there were Russian Spy Camera's in the house. She would say they were following her. One time I asked her therapist if she know exactly what she was being treated for. He said sometimes it was best for them not to know. She would get these episodes when she wasn't taking her meds.

Please talk to him. And help him get the help he needs.

It is really hard to discuss any type of mental illness or mental health problems as the illness' we don't see are the ones we are most frightened of. Either admitting we have a problem or wanting to accept someone we love is unwell. Sometimes episodes or behaviour that has been described is temporary sometimes not. Whatever the situation the sooner it is controlled the better. I hope one day people see mental illness and addictions as an important disease that needs support the same as physical ones. My thoughts and support are with anyone who has to deal with not only one issue but two. These can be debilitating and emotionally draining for everyone involved.
Ali

It is really hard to discuss any type of mental illness or mental health problems as the illness' we don't see are the ones we are most frightened of. Either admitting we have a problem or wanting to accept someone we love is unwell. Sometimes episodes or behaviour that has been described is temporary sometimes not. Whatever the situation the sooner it is controlled the better. I hope one day people see mental illness and addictions as an important disease that needs support the same as physical ones. My thoughts and support are with anyone who has to deal with not only one issue but two. These can be debilitating and emotionally draining for everyone involved.
Ali

Very well said and thank you for saying that !!

Thanks everyone for the input.
He is back in Jail now. Maybe he will get some attention there?
SAD to say but this "Friend" is my Husband. I was so embaresed to say. But he ended up hurting me in the process of all his madness.
So Im done for good.

If it were me I think I would turn to Al-Anon or Naranon for help. I bet you could even find them online, I believe they have online forums. Maybe they would know what help is available in your area and how best to deal with his delusions. Best of luck to you.

**{HUGS}} You all are in my prayers, Its so hard to help someone who is not ready to get help!

I feel for you and hope help is on it's way. You can love someone and want to help them however our hands are tied sometimes and we are then helpless. There are so many people out there walking the streets needing help. I live in the U.K. now so I am unaware of what's available in Canada or the states. I really do genuinely feel for you, your husband and family. Hang in there and don't ever feel bad about being embarrassed. There are alot of people who are frightened by the unknown you are not alone!!!
Ali

RAM,

No need to feel embarassed. You and your family is my family's prayers and thoughts. Hang in there... **************{BIG HUGS}}}}}}}}

RAM- I know it's not funny, but your husband reminds me of myself so much! (when I was using) I was so frigging crazy- it's hard for even myself to believe I believed that stuff. I remember being convinced that the license plates of the cars that were following me were new technology and flipped like a 2-sided sign with a button that the driver controlled! I would drive in circles to drop a "tail" and I remember one time driving back the way I had come and I was convinced that a road block had just been erected to lead me in a certain way! One time I found a FEDEX package in the gutter (I was sure it was planted for me) and I was convinced it had a human scalp in it just so "they" would see my reaction... I can't believe there's people like me out there on the road right now!!! It's obviously not funny, but I thought of myself reading your post and - I just wanted you to know that since I've been clean (4 years) I'm am totally sane! Hope my story made you laugh! and I wish you the best of luck with your husband and hang in there.

islandtime-Congratulations on being clean for 4 years! How did you finally accept that you needed help? How long did the delusions and paranoia last- even after you had stopped using or only while you were using?

DLM-
Thanks! Yeah the delusions lasted long after I quit using. It's hard for me to remember exactly how long because it was such a crappy time. I wanted to really get help for 2-3 monthes before I actually did, but my husband and I had no money, no resources and no idea where to go for help. I had tried to quit so many times before, but the last time- I knew I wanted it. I kept telling him that I would seriously rather be in the shelter and be together than to be stealing money and go to jail were we'd be apart. I wanted to just throw ourselves on the mercy of our family and ask to be put in rehab- but we were scared they would split us up there too... So long story short- we were arrested for stealing (of course they call it by like 16 different names and charges) and he got put in for good. I was so paranoid that I thought the jail was all a big stage set-up to make me think it was jail and people were just keeping me from getting in the way of their bigger plots out on the street. When I got out a month later and a month clean I had delusions- I don't remember how long they lasted but I slept in the basement of my mother's house- and there was an air vent through to the storage room down there where I could see some kind of red light from like the water heater or something and I remember staring at that light for HOURS waiting for it to blink or move- I slept with a knife under my pillow for monthes! I heard voices for like 3 more monthes. I had tremors for a least a year. After the year mark- I was pretty much better!

islandtime thank you for shareing.
Congratulations on your recovery.

islandtime, congratulations, you give so many people hope. Even myself although ihave no addiction i help those who do and are mentally ill. It's always nice to hear of someone who has come out the other side. Well done!!!!
ali

i've been there. when i was involved every single person i seen i thought was a cop i swear. every van or suv was an undercover. it's gr8 to have a halfway normal life again huh?

This sounds all too familiar! I have a friend so was the exact same way. He was diagnosed as bi-polar but was delusional too. He had been clean and sober for over 13 years and had not used but was delusional. I took him to mental health. They put him on meds. As soon as he "pulled out of it" and started feeling normal he quit the meds. So it went with out breaks of delusions that got worse and worse. He started self-medicating with street drugs which only made things so much worse. People were following him. He was see them in his couch, walls, everywhere. He would run forever in the car until it ran out of gas, then he would go on foot until he fell in exhaustion. He completely ripped his house apart looking for the people hiding there watching him. I was the only one he trusted. It was sooo hard watching him go through. My only hope was when he would get picked up and put in jail where they could keep him on medication. He refused to take it himself. It is so hard watching them go through this especially when they don't think there is a problem and they don't want to do anything to fix it. My prayers are with you!

This sounds all too familiar! I have a friend so was the exact same way. He was diagnosed as bi-polar but was delusional too. He had been clean and sober for over 13 years and had not used but was delusional. I took him to mental health. They put him on meds. As soon as he "pulled out of it" and started feeling normal he quit the meds. So it went with out breaks of delusions that got worse and worse. He started self-medicating with street drugs which only made things so much worse. People were following him. He was see them in his couch, walls, everywhere. He would run forever in the car until it ran out of gas, then he would go on foot until he fell in exhaustion. He completely ripped his house apart looking for the people hiding there watching him. I was the only one he trusted. It was sooo hard watching him go through. My only hope was when he would get picked up and put in jail where they could keep him on medication. He refused to take it himself. It is so hard watching them go through this especially when they don't think there is a problem and they don't want to do anything to fix it. My prayers are with you!
Exactly. A female friend I had did the same thing. Once she "pulled out of it", she quit the meds...started self medicating behind my back with street drugs. She would stay gone days at a time " at her boyfriend's ". She had a problem with electrical cords, cut the plugs off to my lamps ..even messed up my electrical outlets in some rooms in my home...fearing the 'unknown watchers or hidden microphones'. She once woke me screaming the Grim Reaper or a shadowy figure had been outside on the deck. I found my huge carving knife under the mattress on the bed she slept in after I changed the locks.... Watching her was very painful. I wish you the best in this and I urge you to try to get him back on his meds, and rehab. Sending you hugs and strength. :thumbsup:

A mental illness can be a root of his trouble. Especially since you say he's been clean for 15 years prior to this recent episode. Untreated mental health issues can be a contributing factor to relapse. but i would not go about trying to diagnose him. Encourage him to contact a doctor and speak to them about what's going on. It might be just drug use and the ramifications of that.

Good luck to you both

I was so close to getting my son help being court committed to a hospital and the last Dr said oh no he'll be fine. Ok right! Now facing 18 years. He thinks people are trying to kill him and destroy his blood line. He thinks the hell's angels killed his baby(he died 1 week prior to due date umbilicord wrapped around his neck) our house and cars were bugged and someone planted a bug in his body, he thought he was a nephew to the King of Norway, wrote down license plates, our door bell was a bug he tore out of the house. Airplanes follow him as well as street lights. My list is miles long and its very depressing the courts don't see this and the guidlines to declaring someone is far to strick. There is no help in prisons for MI. Our prison system is now the new state hospitals. I sometimes wish they could feel my pain and have to experience it themselves. My son uses meth to cover the pain of events in his life. He 1st went to prison at 19 due to car accident when he lost his friend due to the accident, even tho he was found not guilty of causing the accident or causing the death of his friend he got 15 years of agg assault served 5. The car is a deadly weapon. Got out and it started all over again and again and again. No rights or help for any with MI at least in Az. Prisons are nothing more than making money. After all you can buy stock in the prison system. There needs to be a prison reform. Sometimes I just hate my life because I can't help him. People can be so mean, they know nothing about the system and don't care, they just want to lock them up and throw away the key. Sometimes he can appear and speak so normal but it doesn't last long but I do so enjoy it when it happens but it is so heart breaking as well. The son that I raised is gone and I will never have him back again. Why why why.

its very depressing the courts don't see this

My suggestion is that he needs to see a mental health professional in order to be property diagnosed. Paranoia sounds like crack but the dilusions I wonder what else may be going on. I used crack for a long, long time & dilusions were not a part of the down.
Dilusions are more of a symptom of Paranoid Psychophenia (sp). Both
Bi-Polar & Psychophenia HAVE to be diagnosed by a Psychiatrist for proper treatment. Even if he does get the treatment for mental illness he'll have to be real sure to not use alcohol or drugs otherwise he's just waisting his time & money.

RAM, I want to share a side of the psychotic events, they keep a deep "medicine". even a person is able to drift in a complete own world and it is for sure not able to live such a time with somebody, there is a side, which is very special: that person living in the psychotic event is able to remember a lot of things! I would say that person can sometimes remember ALL!

this goes that people I have worked with were able to repeat me everything I have spoken or done in such a time, when we have had the chance later in life to speak about. it always amazes me HOW much they did know. so what ever you feel, the most important thing is to stay honest about your feelings.
trying to make the situation "easier" in not speaking out what you feel, it can just make all worse. so if there is nothing else you can do for your Man, then you can at least stay honest with how you feel. if he suffers from what he is experiancing, you can comfort him in how he FEELS! and you can let him see how you FEEL, without you need to have a discusion about what is real for you or not.

the other thing is, AS a person is so open for all and everything, events they happen, they can come back in the story of that psychotic event. a film part, well any kind of event.... a good thing to try to keep such events as much out as possible. (no running tv, radio.... )

it is very difficult for a person, to go and accept professional help, as what is experianced is REAL for that person. I have lived such times with some people and my heart was crying for what they have had to go through.

the good thing is, because of the normal good memory of this time, it is a good basic to speak about feelings and how we experianced the situation, once all this time is over.

any kind of drugs can be a cause such a psychotic event happens!

a psychotic event is often something where the psychis is protecting itself from a situation which it cannot handle with. the reasons for this have not to be real special ones for somebody else.... all what matters is how that person feels in this moment.

I once have been "the cause of such a psychotic event": a not very close friend went to hospital with a cancer diagnosis. I did take care for his dog. I went to see him and as he lived close, I also spoke about helping him to die at home, assuring the nights or just help his girl friend with the situation. but I wanted to meet a friend in Paris first. he did ask me "do you have to meet that friend". I explained to him, why I will go there.... it was only for 3 days. ........ 3 days to long, as when I came back, that person has been lost in a huge psychosis. there has been no chance anymore, taking him home under these conditions. i did not know, I have been the ONLY one who did know about his illness and he seems to have not known how to share with his girlfriend..... this came out later. that I have not be there, so at least with one person he has been able to speak open about how he felt, this seems have been to much and the three days to long....... he passed about three weeks after.....

psychotic events ARE possible and once they are over, many people live without medication and ever getting such an event again. some makethis experiance several times in life, without their life in between is affected.
some people stay in the psychosis and cannot live a normal life, (what we call normal) without medication. a friend of mine lives IN a psychosis for 20 years now and on some days, he has no idea if a wall is hard or if he can walk through.... it is not making his life any easy, but I have deep respect for the honesty and loving person he is! .........

may all this work out for you in a good way. I pray for this very much so!