Skin picking, or excoriation disorder, involves repeatedly scratching, picking, or digging at the skin, often resulting in significant physical harm. While this behavior can be a symptom of various mental health disorders, it is also frequently triggered by substance abuse.
Certain drugs, particularly stimulants and opioids, can cause intense sensations of itching or crawling under the skin, leading individuals to engage in compulsive skin picking behavior in an attempt to relieve these sensations. Chronic skin picking disorders often coexist with other mental health issues such as anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), complicating treatment approaches and necessitating comprehensive care from healthcare professionals specialized in both mental health and addiction.
Our latest guide from Juse Beauty dives right in to this topic, and let’s you know the particulars of drugs that cause skin picking, as well as related topics, so get reading to learn more now!
The Neurological Basis of Skin Picking
Dermatillomania, also known as compulsive skin picking, is a condition that is often linked to obsessive compulsive disorder. It is also associated with other mental health disorders, such as anxiety and stress-related conditions.
This behavior is believed to have a neurological basis, with some studies suggesting that it may be related to abnormalities in the brain’s reward system.
How Drugs Affect Sensory Perception
Skin picking behavior is often linked to the neurological and psychological effects of certain drugs. The compulsion to pick at the skin can stem from sensations of itching, crawling, or tingling, exacerbated by these substances. These sensations, often referred to as fornication, can be so intense that individuals feel compelled to scratch or pick at their skin until they cause visible damage.
The Role of Neurotransmitters
The brain’s neurotransmitter systems, particularly dopamine and serotonin, play crucial roles in regulating mood, sensory perception, and behavior. Many substances, especially stimulants and opioids, alter these systems, leading to changes in how individuals perceive sensations like itching or crawling. These changes can make normal sensations feel overwhelming, prompting compulsive skin-picking behaviors.
Substances That Often Cause Itching and Digging
Methamphetamine use can lead to severe skin picking, resulting in visible skin damage known as meth sores. Meth sores occur as a common side effect of methamphetamine use, often caused by compulsive skin picking due to hallucinations of bugs crawling on the skin, known as ‘meth mites’. This behavior highlights the psychological and physical consequences of chronic meth use.
Stimulants and Their Impact on Skin Picking
Stimulants, such as methamphetamine and cocaine, are notorious for causing skin-picking behavior. Methamphetamine use is also associated with severe dental issues, commonly referred to as ‘meth mouth’. Substances that often cause itching and digging can lead to intense sensations of itching or crawling under the skin, known as formication.
Methamphetamine users often experience what is known as “meth mites” or “crank bugs,” where they feel as though insects are crawling under their skin. This sensation is a result of the drug’s impact on the brain’s dopamine system, leading to intense, often unbearable, sensations on the skin.
Opioids and the Sensation of Itching
Opioids, particularly in high doses or with prolonged use, can cause intense itching due to the histamine release triggered by the drug. This can lead to uncontrollable scratching and skin picking. Heroin users, for example, often report severe itching, which can lead to compulsive scratching and skin picking.
This behavior is sometimes exacerbated by withdrawal symptoms, which can include restlessness, agitation, and an intense need to relieve the discomfort caused by the drug’s effects.
Psychiatric Medications and Skin Sensations
Certain psychiatric medications, particularly those used to treat anxiety and depression, can cause side effects that lead to skin picking. Antidepressants, for example, can cause itching as a side effect, which might lead to compulsive skin-picking behaviors, especially in individuals with a predisposition to anxiety or obsessive-compulsive behaviors.
The Physical and Psychological Impact of Skin Picking
Skin picking can lead to an increased risk of severe health complications. One of the most concerning issues is the development of skin infections, which can result from open sores caused by compulsive scratching.
Physical Consequences of Repeated Skin Picking
The physical consequences of skin picking are often severe. Continuous picking can lead to open wounds, infections, and permanent scarring. In extreme cases, it can even cause significant disfigurement.
The physical toll of skin picking is often compounded by the effects of the substances themselves, such as dehydration and malnutrition, which impair the skin’s ability to heal and increase the risk of infection.
Psychological Toll of Skin Picking Behavior
The psychological impact of skin picking can be equally profound. Individuals who engage in skin picking may feel ashamed or embarrassed about their behavior, leading to feelings of guilt and self-loathing.
This can create a cycle of negative emotions, where the individual uses substances to cope with their distress, leading to further skin picking and worsening mental health.
How Skin Picking Can Contribute to Weight Loss
Skin picking, particularly when associated with substance abuse and prescription drugs, can lead to weight loss. Prescription medications, especially stimulants for ADHD and certain antidepressants, can induce hypersensitivity reactions that result in compulsive skin picking behavior.
This is often due to a combination of factors, including poor nutrition, neglect of self-care, and the physiological effects of the drugs themselves.
For example, stimulants like methamphetamine and cocaine are known to suppress appetite, leading to significant weight loss. When combined with the physical toll of skin picking, this can contribute to a drop in what one weighs, resulting in a noticeable decline in overall body weight.
The Compounding Effects of Poor Nutrition and Self-Neglect
Opioid users may also experience weight loss due to a decrease in appetite and neglect of self-care. The energy expended in compulsive skin-picking behaviors, combined with the effects of the drugs themselves, can lead to a significant drop in weight over time.
This weight loss can further exacerbate the physical and psychological toll of substance abuse, creating a cycle of negative consequences that are difficult to break without professional help.
Addressing Skin Picking Behavior and Substance Abuse
Drug addiction often leads to various psychological and physical effects, including compulsive behaviors like skin picking, also known as dermatillomania. Skin picking disorders are frequently linked to addiction and mental health issues, requiring comprehensive treatment approaches.
The Importance of a Comprehensive Treatment Approach
Treating skin picking requires addressing both the behavior and the underlying substance abuse or mental health condition. A comprehensive approach is often necessary, involving behavioral therapy, medication, and support for overcoming addiction.
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Skin Picking
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is commonly used to treat skin picking. CBT helps individuals recognize the triggers for their behavior and develop healthier coping mechanisms. By addressing the underlying thoughts and emotions that contribute to skin picking, CBT can help individuals reduce or eliminate this behavior.
The Role of Medication in Treatment
In some cases, medication may be necessary to address the underlying substance abuse or mental health condition. This might include medications to manage withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, or treat co-occurring mental health disorders. By stabilizing the individual’s mental health, medication can help reduce the compulsion to pick at the skin.
Support and Aftercare for Lasting Recovery
Ongoing support and aftercare are crucial for individuals recovering from skin picking and substance abuse. This might include participation in support groups, ongoing therapy, and regular check-ins with a healthcare provider. By maintaining a strong support system, individuals can continue to work towards lasting recovery and prevent relapse.
Stopping Skin Picking is Within Your Reach
Skin picking is a complex behavior often linked to substance abuse. The physical and psychological consequences of this behavior can be severe, but with the right treatment and support, individuals can overcome it.
Understanding the substances that often cause itching and digging, and how these behaviors can contribute to a drop in what one weighs, is an important step in addressing the underlying issues and seeking appropriate treatment.
By taking a comprehensive approach that includes behavioral therapy, medication, and ongoing support, individuals can achieve lasting recovery and improve their overall well-being. We hope our latest resource from Juse Beauty has proven helpful, and don’t forget to stop by daily for the latest in health and wellness news that matters to you!
