Marijuana products have greater potency and higher levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) than ever before. THC levels in marijuana products are regularly exceeding 20%, but this is mild in comparison to various and popular types of cannabis concentrates collectively known as “dabs”.

According to studies compiled by the National Institutes of Health, high concentrations of THC can increase a person’s risk of experiencing psychosis.

As a result, mental health specialists are faced with a clinical dilemma – how to clearly identify a substance-induced psychosis from a primary psychotic illness or a psychotic illness with comorbid substance use. This could possibly be a subtle conundrum and a chance for elucubration, yet it becomes vastly more important when treating and choosing the best therapeutic strategy for patients.

So, for this course, Dr. Jeremy Sharp sits down with Craig Heacock to take a deep dive into substance-induced psychosis. Here are a few discussion points that come up:

• What exactly is substance-induced psychosis?
• Is it qualitatively different than “regular” psychosis?
• What are the risk factors for developing substance-induced psychosis?
• What is the prognosis after a substance-induced psychotic break?

This interview was published in November of 2022.

Asynchronous, distance learning. Non-interactive. Recorded audio with transcript.

Want to hear the interview? Listen for free using the audio player below.
Interview with Craig Heacock, PhD

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ABOUT DR. CRAIG HEACOCK

Dr. Craig Heacock is an adolescent, adult, and addiction psychiatrist in Fort Collins, Colorado where he also hosts and co-produces a psychiatric storytelling podcast called Back from the Abyss. He has a special interest in the use of ketamine and psychedelics to treat mood disorders and PTSD. He is a graduate of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine and did his psychiatry training at Brown University.

• Website: craigheacockmd.com

ABOUT DR. JEREMY SHARP

Dr. Jeremy Sharp is a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice founded in 2009 that has grown to over 20 clinicians. He earned an undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting a Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. He specializes in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents.

As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, Dr. Sharp provides private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. He lives in Fort Collins, Colorado with his wife (also a therapist) and two young kids.

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