Drug abuse can impact many aspects of your health and well-being. Some drugs can cause episodes of psychosis. A psychotic episode may be frightening and may become dangerous in some instances. It is essential to understand the risk of drug-induced psychosis and know how to find treatment for substance use disorder (SUD).
This article will explore drug-induced psychosis. You will learn:
- What drug-induced psychosis is
- What substances may cause psychotic symptoms
- The symptoms of substance-induced psychotic disorder
- What happens in treatment for substance-induced psychosis
- Where to find drug and alcohol addiction treatment
If you or someone you love abuse drugs that can cause psychosis, you must seek treatment right away. Effective, holistic treatment is available at First Step Behavioral Health.
Reach out to our intake team now to explore our comprehensive treatment and recovery support programs. You may also contact our specialists to verify your insurance, ask questions, or schedule an appointment.
What is Drug-Induced Psychosis?
Psychosis is a state of altered consciousness or perception. During a psychotic episode, people may experience delusions, meaning strange or irrational beliefs. They may also experience hallucinations, which are perceptual distortions that happen without an external cause. Hallucinations may be auditory, olfactory, or visual.[1]
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), about 3% of the population will experience a psychotic episode in their lifetime.[2] Psychotic symptoms can be a symptom of certain mental health issues. People who abuse certain substances, including illicit drugs or prescription medications, may experience drug-induced psychoses.
Substance-induced psychotic disorder can occur during active substance abuse or during withdrawal from an addictive substance. Many people believe that hallucinogens like LSD or magic mushrooms are the only drugs that may cause psychotic symptoms. However, many other types of substances can cause these symptoms.
Researchers believe there may be a connection between drug abuse and the risk of psychosis.[3] Some illicit and legal substances affect the same parts of the brain as specific mental health conditions do. Some mental health and addiction experts believe that abusing certain substances may increase a person’s risk of developing schizophrenia.[4]
One study examined people admitted to the hospital for psychosis. It found that nearly three out of four had been diagnosed with substance use disorder at some point in their life. In the study, over 60% met the criteria for substance use disorder at the time of the psychotic episode.[5]
People who are experiencing psychotic symptoms during substance abuse or withdrawal require immediate intervention, including a medical detox program.
What Substances Can Cause Drug-Induced Psychosis?
Many people believe that hallucinogens or dissociative drugs are the only substances that may cause psychotic episodes. However, a wide range of illicit and prescription drugs can cause psychotic episodes.
Some of the drugs that may cause substance-induced psychosis include:
- Alcohol
- Amphetamines
- Benzodiazepines
- Cocaine
- Ecstasy
- Ketamine
- LSD
- Marijuana
- Methamphetamine
- Magic mushrooms
- PCP
- Peyote
People may experience psychosis while using these drugs or during withdrawal from them.
Symptoms of Drug-Induced Psychosis
The symptoms of drug-induced psychosis can vary depending on what substance a person uses. Here is an overview of different signs of psychosis from different types of substance.[3,4]
Symptoms of Psychosis from Hallucinogen Abuse
Hallucinogenic and disassociative drugs like LSD, ketamine, ecstasy, and mushrooms, can cause psychosis. Some symptoms of psychosis from using these drugs include:
- Hallucinations
- Mixed-up perceptions, such as hearing colors
- A sense of being dissociated from your body
- Intense spiritual experiences
- A distorted perception of time and space
- Difficulty organizing thoughts
- Mood changes
- Paranoia
- Panic
People may experience long-term visual disturbances or hallucinations after long periods of hallucinogen abuse.
Symptoms of Psychosis from Marijuana
Marijuana abuse can lead to drug-induced psychosis symptoms that include:
- Intense fear or panic
- An altered perception of time
- Heightened sensory perception
- Delusions
- Paranoia
- Hallucinations
Research shows people with a specific gene who use cannabis during adolescence may have a higher risk of psychosis.
Symptoms of Psychosis from Stimulants
People who abuse stimulants may experience symptoms of drug-induced psychosis including:
- Hallucinations, including the feeling of bugs crawling under the skin
- Increased aggression or violence
- Cognitive problems
- Difficulty concentrating
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Delusions
Some symptoms of psychosis can mimic the mania that people with bipolar disorder can experience.
Symptoms of Psychosis from Depressants
In some cases, abusing depressants like benzodiazepines and alcohol can lead to symptoms of psychosis. These symptoms include:
- Perceptual distortions
- Aggression
- Cognitive changes
- Impaired judgments
- Rapid mood swings
People may experience psychotic symptoms, including delirium, during withdrawal from alcohol or other central nervous system depressants.
Drug-induced psychosis treatment typically involves medical detox programs and continuing support. During treatment, people may receive mental health treatment, medications, support groups, education, and other evidence based therapies.
Comprehensive treatment that addresses the physical, behavioral, and psychological aspects of addiction can help people identify and address the underlying roots of substance abuse.
Find Treatment Now
If you or someone you love struggles with substance abuse you are not alone. Long-term recovery begins with comprehensive treatment.
Reach out to the specialist at First Step Behavioral Health to explore our treatments and recovery support programs. You may contact us with questions or to schedule an intake appointment.
References:
- National Institute of Mental Health (NIH): Understanding Psychosis
- National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): Psychosis
- NIH: Drug Abuse and Psychosis: New Insights into Drug-induced Psychosis
- The American Journal of Psychiatry: What is the Link Between Substance-Induced Psychosis and Primary Psychotic Disorders?
- NIH: Substance abuse in patients with schizophrenia
