Skin picking is a behavior that many people experience, especially when using certain drugs. This habit, medically known as dermatillomania, is often linked to substances that affect the brain’s reward system. In this article, we’ll explore which drugs can trigger skin-picking behaviors, why it happens, and how it can impact both physical and mental health.
Why Do People Pick at Their Skin?
Before diving into the specific drugs that lead to skin-picking, it’s important to understand why people develop this behavior. Often, it’s a response to the brain being overstimulated. Drugs that affect the nervous system can increase anxiety, make you feel things that aren’t there, or heighten obsessive tendencies. For many, this leads to a constant urge to pick at their skin, thinking they’re removing something harmful, even when nothing is there.
The Role of Stimulants
Stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine are two of the biggest culprits when it comes to skin picking. These drugs increase activity in the central nervous system, which can result in heightened anxiety, paranoia, and even hallucinations. According to Dr. Tony P. George, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto, stimulant drugs have a direct impact on the brain’s reward system, creating obsessive tendencies like skin picking. As he explains, these behaviors become more pronounced as the brain struggles to balance the flood of dopamine caused by these drugs.
The term “meth mites” or “crank bugs” often comes up when talking about methamphetamine use. This refers to a sensation many users experience, feeling as if bugs are crawling under their skin. Dr. Heather Berlin, a neuroscientist at the Icahn School of Medicine, highlights that these sensations are not real, but the feeling can be so strong that users will scratch and pick at their skin, causing significant damage.
Methamphetamine, in particular, is notorious for causing these sensations. Many users develop sores or lesions from constantly picking at their skin, and the wounds can take a long time to heal. This behavior can result in permanent scarring and skin infections, adding to the list of serious physical consequences.
The Impact of Cocaine
Like methamphetamine, cocaine is another stimulant that can lead to obsessive skin picking. When someone uses cocaine, their brain is overwhelmed by dopamine, which triggers compulsive behaviors. In fact, Dr. Nora Volkow from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) explains that long-term cocaine users often face skin-picking issues due to how the drug impacts dopamine pathways. Over time, these compulsive behaviors become harder to control, especially if someone is using large amounts of the drug regularly.
This compulsive behavior isn’t limited to just the face or arms—some people pick at their legs, scalp, or other areas. The sensation of something crawling under the skin, combined with the drive to remove perceived imperfections, leads to picking, sometimes for hours at a time. This not only harms the skin but can affect a person’s overall appearance and self-esteem.
Opioids and Skin Picking
While opioids are primarily known for their pain-relieving effects, they also have side effects that can lead to skin picking. During opioid withdrawal, many people experience intense itching, which often results in compulsive scratching or picking at the skin. Dr. Marc Galanter, a professor at NYU School of Medicine, points out that this behavior often comes from the physical discomfort of withdrawal. The itching can be so severe that people feel compelled to scratch even when there’s no visible irritation.
This kind of skin damage is especially concerning because individuals withdrawing from opioids are already physically weakened. Open sores caused by skin picking increase the risk of infections, which can complicate the recovery process.
MDMA (Ecstasy) and Skin Sensitivity
MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) is another drug that may lead to skin picking. While not a stimulant in the same way methamphetamine or cocaine are, it still affects the brain’s dopamine and serotonin systems. MDMA can heighten sensations, causing people to feel hyperaware of their skin. This increased sensitivity can lead to the urge to pick or scratch at minor imperfections.
Users often report feeling sensations similar to itching or burning under the skin, and this discomfort pushes them to scratch or pick at their skin. A review in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry highlights how substances like MDMA, though often used recreationally, can lead to significant dermatological issues. This report suggests that skin-picking behaviors may increase with regular MDMA use, particularly because of its stimulating effects on the nervous system.
Cannabis and Less Common Drug-Induced Skin Picking
Cannabis is not typically associated with skin-picking behaviors, but in some individuals, heavy use can lead to obsessive-compulsive behaviors. Though rare, some cannabis users report that after long-term use, they develop habits like skin picking. This is especially true in cases where cannabis use coincides with high anxiety levels or underlying psychological conditions.
In addition to cannabis, alcohol can contribute to skin picking for some people. A report from the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology discusses the link between substance use and dermatological issues, including skin picking. It highlights that individuals with alcohol dependence might pick at their skin more often during withdrawal or when they’re anxious or restless.
The Statistics Behind Drug-Induced Skin Picking
It’s clear that drugs like methamphetamine, cocaine, and opioids are significant contributors to skin picking, but how common is this behavior?
- Methamphetamine use: About 1.6 million Americans used methamphetamine in 2021, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. A significant portion of these users reports skin-picking behaviors, especially when using the drug frequently.
- Cocaine: In the same year, about 5.2 million people in the U.S. used cocaine. Many long-term users experience compulsive skin picking, which becomes more severe with continued use.
- Opioid users: Opioids, both prescription and illicit, were involved in over 70,000 overdose deaths in 2021, many of which involved skin-picking behaviors during periods of withdrawal.
While there isn’t a specific statistic on how many drug users experience skin picking, it’s widely accepted that this behavior is common among people who use stimulants. Health professionals estimate that a large percentage of regular stimulant users engage in compulsive skin picking at some point during their drug use.
Personal Experiences
From what I’ve observed through various stories, many people don’t realize they’ve developed a skin-picking habit until it’s pointed out by someone close to them. I remember a close friend struggling with methamphetamine use, who would constantly pick at her arms. She didn’t notice how much damage she was doing until her skin became badly scarred. This personal experience opened my eyes to how these drugs can not only affect your body but also your sense of control. The compulsion to pick at your skin isn’t something that can be easily ignored once it starts, and it can take time for individuals to stop the behavior, even when they’re no longer using the drug.
Addressing the Issue
Stopping skin picking often requires addressing the root cause—the drug use itself. For those struggling with stimulant addiction, getting help through therapy, support groups, or medical intervention is essential. Additionally, it’s important to address the skin damage caused by picking. Dermatologists can help manage infections or scarring, but long-term recovery depends on overcoming the compulsion to pick.
In some cases, medication can help reduce compulsive behaviors. Behavioral therapy is another effective option, teaching individuals new ways to cope with anxiety and stress without resorting to picking.
For those struggling with stimulant addiction, getting help through therapy, support groups, or medical intervention is essential. To further understand the overwhelming urge to scratch and dig at the skin caused by certain drugs, you can explore more resources like this guide on drugs that cause skin picking.
Conclusion
Drug-induced skin picking is a serious issue that can affect both mental and physical health. Stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine are the most common culprits, but opioids and other drugs can also lead to skin damage from compulsive behaviors. Understanding the connection between drug use and skin picking is the first step toward addressing this behavior.
Whether you or someone you know is struggling with skin picking caused by drug use, know that help is available. It’s never too late to seek treatment and regain control over both your body and mind.
