What is Drug-Induced Psychosis?

Substance misuse may lead to a psychiatric condition such as drug-induced psychosis.  

Psychosis is a mental state that obscures a person’s ability to decipher what is real and what is not. When psychosis is drug-induced, it is often short-lived but distressing. Most often, it occurs due to prolonged or high-dosage substance misuse.  

In some cases, drug-induced psychosis (DIP) symptoms can be longer-lasting. When this occurs, it is usually indicative of a deeper underlying mental health issue co-existing with substance use disorder. It is important to identify the symptoms of this condition so those suffering can seek immediate treatment. 

What are Drug-Induced Psychosis Symptoms? 

Drug-induced psychosis, or DIP, is most often characterized as someone having delusions not based on reality. They may also experience audible and visual hallucinations of things no one else can see or hear. These classic symptoms occur either during chronic substance use, mixing various substances or during withdrawal.  

The most common drug-induced psychosis symptoms include: 

Delusions: Believing things to be true that are demonstrably not. This could include illusions of grandeur or intense paranoias of being stalked or followed.  

Confusion: During these episodes, people may forget who they are or where they are. It can be challenging to speak with them due to continued misunderstandings.  

Panic attacks: Sensory overload can cause someone under the influence to panic and experience an anxiety attack. These episodes often involve hyperventilation and emotional outbursts.  

Hallucinations: Seeing, hearing and even smelling things that are not occurring could indicate hallucination. This often leads to outwardly strange conversations and behavior with others.  

Unusual behavior: Psychosis can lead to erratic and unusual behavior, including aggression, paranoia or becoming severely withdrawn.  

Changes in thinking: Experiencing unusual and unrealistic thoughts despite evidence to the contrary are aligned with psychosis.  

When someone experiences delusions from drug use without underlying mental illness, they meet the criteria for DIP. These hallucinations should be occurring more than what is typical for substance intoxication. For example, someone who is under the influence of a hallucinogenic drug such as LSD would not qualify.  

How Long Does Drug-Induced Psychosis Last?  

Also known as substance-induced psychotic disorder, cases of DIP where the duration of psychotic symptoms varies. Some experiences are more prolonged and severe, while some are short-lived and sporadic. Regardless of how long they manifest, DIP treatment is available and highly advisable.  

On average, DIP episodes are shorter than those with psychotic disorders related to schizophrenia may experience. Acute drug-induced psychosis can last for days and sometimes even weeks. However, for those who are consistently misusing substances, these symptoms can be ongoing for months or even years if left untreated.  

Hallucinations can begin after the drug has left the body or when symptoms of withdrawal begin. At this point, an evaluation must occur to rule out the existence of schizophrenia or other underlying mental illnesses. Other conditions, such as bipolar disorder, may be present or triggered by drug use. Clinicians have specific ways to test for these conditions when treating patients with psychosis from drug use.  

Treatment for Drug-Induced Psychosis Symptoms 

Because the symptoms of DIP are often temporary, many are not aware they can and should seek treatment. Oftentimes, cases of DIP can be incredibly distressing for a person, especially while intoxicated. These episodes can quickly turn dangerous and violent, often putting the person in grave harm to themselves and others.  

These situations will typically require emergency psychiatric care. A medical professional can evaluate the person’s health and address substance use disorder or other mental illness that may be present. Almost all emergency departments can help those experiencing DIP, although they should seek help from a mental health specialists down the line.  

For people who experience prolonged drug-induced psychosis, there may be a requirement for prolonged hospitalization. Some will require the use of antipsychotic medications before the root issues are treatable. Some prefer residential treatment for substance use disorder with reoccurring DIP episodes where medical staff is present at all times. Others manage their ongoing recovery through office-based outpatient treatment.  

DIP Facts and Statistics 

Mental health conditions and addiction are often co-occurring disorders in many individuals diagnosed with a substance use disorder. A study showed that 8 million adults with substance use disorder also had some form of mental health issues. Among those people, 3.5% of them experienced episodes of psychosis. Those who are more likely to experience DIP are often misusing drugs like cocaine, alcohol, amphetamines or hallucinogens. 

Although DIP is mainly associated with illicit drug use, some people may experience symptoms when mixing prescription medications. Drugs like antidepressants, chemotherapy drugs and medicine used to treat Parkinson’s can also cause DIP. People with a family history of psychosis, brain injury and related genetic factors are also at a higher risk of DIP. 

Most recently, there has been evidence that overuse of cannabis can also cause DIP. With recreational marijuana becoming legal in many states, there has been an uptick in cases. The potency of cannabis substances has grown in the past decade, causing some to overuse accidentally. With consistent cannabis overuse, drug-induced psychosis is becoming more prevalent.  

Substance Use Disorder Treatment with AppleGate Recovery 

Drug-induced psychosis is a severe condition that needs immediate treatment. Those who experience these episodes are often in need of comprehensive psychiatric care along with treatment for substance use disorder. If frequent misuse of drugs is present, AppleGate Recovery can provide help for those in need.  

AppleGate Recovery offers medication-assisted treatment for those with substance use disorder. We recognize that addiction is a family disease, and it impacts everyone involved. Our knowledgeable and caring staff is standing by for your call or message. Take the first step today to change your life and seek addiction recovery. Contact us here for more information.