Substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder, also known as toxic psychosis, alcohol-induced psychosis, and drug-induced psychosis, is a mental health condition where an individual experiences psychotic symptoms within a month of using or withdrawing from prescription drugs, illegal drugs, and/or alcohol.
Symptoms of substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder include experiencing delusions, hallucinations, or both. Individuals experiencing these symptoms may or may not have insight into whether their delusions and/or hallucinations are real.
For the disorder to be diagnosed, there has to be no psychosis-related symptoms noted prior to the substance use or withdrawal. With substance/medication-induced psychosis, symptoms begin within a month of using or withdrawing from the substance. In additions, they will typically last for under a month and usually diminish after withdrawal.
According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), 7% to 25% of patients treated for their first psychotic episode are reported to have substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder. Anyone with an established mental health problem, or who is prone to psychosis, is at a higher risk of developing a psychotic disorder from over intoxication, abuse of, or withdrawal from a legal or illegal substance. While substances alone do not directly cause substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder, someone who is at a greater risk for psychosis can be triggered by certain substances. Additionally, studies have established that risk factors for developing this specific disorder include being a male, being 30 years old or younger, and having an underlying mental health conditions. Not only does this put a person more at risk for substance-induced psychotic disorder, they were also found to be more prone to developing schizophrenia within the next few years.
Symptoms of Substance/Medication-Induced Psychotic Disorder are generally acute, lasting only until the substance or medication is cleared from the body. In some cases, however, depending on the type of substance or medication involved, psychotic symptoms may continue for up to several weeks. The prognosis overall depends on an individual's medical history, when a particular substance was ingested, and how much was ingested. It is also important to note that sometimes, substance-induced psychosis can trigger or unmask a primary psychosis, particularly in those with a family history of psychiatric problems and those who start substance use early.
Treatment for substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder will vary depending on the specific patient and their unique needs. In many cases, stopping the triggering substance and closely monitoring the patient in a safe environment may be enough. While it's critical to remove the substance from the individual's system, it's equally important to treat any underlying mental health conditions.
Medications may be used to help reduce symptoms of substance/medication-induced psychosis and stabilize the individual's mood on the short-term.
Long-term, it's important to treat any underlying mental health conditions to reduce the chances of experiencing substance/medication-induced psychosis again.
Treatment options may include: