| Substance-induced psychosis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Substance-induced psychotic disorder, drug-induced psychosis, substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder, toxic psychosis |
| Specialty | Psychiatry, addiction psychiatry |
Substance-induced psychosis (commonly known as toxic psychosis or drug-induced psychosis) is a form of psychosis that is attributed to substance intoxication, withdrawal or recent consumption of psychoactive drugs. It is a psychosis that results from the effects of various substances, such as medicinal and nonmedicinal substances, legal and illegal drugs, chemicals, and plants. Various psychoactive substances have been implicated in causing or worsening psychosis in users.
Signs and symptoms
Psychosis manifests as disorientation, visual hallucinations and/or haptic hallucinations. It is a state in which a person's mental capacity to recognize reality, communicate, and relate to others is impaired, thus interfering with the capacity to deal with life's demands. While there are many types of psychosis, the cause of substance-induced psychosis can be pinpointed to intake of specific chemicals. To properly diagnose Substance-Induced Psychotic Disorder, one must conclude that exhibited hallucinations or delusions began during intoxication, withdrawal, or within a month after use of the substance and the symptoms are not related to a non-substance-induced psychotic disorder.
Treatment
Because substance-induced psychosis results from the consumption of a substance or combination of substances, treatment practices heavily rely on detoxification and discontinuation of the substance(s). Detox and addiction treatment centers may often provide rehabilitation programs, including inpatient and outpatient treatment options, support groups, and extended treatment plans. Substance-induced psychosis may persist for hours, days, or weeks, but typically resolves within a month of sobriety. Treating psychosis involves a very thorough evaluation, including medical history, family background, symptoms, and other potential causes. Treatment prioritizes emergent symptoms, evaluates for underlying mental illnesses, and focuses on behavioral and preventative measures against substance use.
Substance use and schizophrenia
Rates of drug use amongst people with schizophrenia are higher than the general population; 50% of those diagnosed with schizophrenia use substances over their life. There is a model that suggests this arises because those with schizophrenia self-medicate with psychoactive drugs.
Transition to schizophrenia
A 2019 systematic review and meta-analysis found that 25% (18–38%) of people diagnosed with substance-induced psychosis went on to be diagnosed with schizophrenia, compared with 36% (30–43%) for brief, atypical and not otherwise specified psychoses. The substance present was the primary predictor of transition from drug-induced psychosis to schizophrenia, with highest rates associated with cannabis (34% (25–46%)), hallucinogens (26% (14–43%)) and amphetamines (22% (14–34%)). Lower rates were reported for opioid– (12% (8–18%)), alcohol– (9% (6–15%)) and sedative– (10% (7–15%)) induced psychoses. Transition rates were slightly lower in older cohorts but were not affected by sex, country of the study, hospital or community location, urban or rural setting, diagnostic methods, or duration of follow-up.
| Class of substance | Number of studies | Rates of transition to schizophrenia | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate | Lower bound | Upper bound | ||
| Brief, atypical and NOS | 34 | 36% | 30% | 43% |
| Combined | - | 25% | 18% | 38% |
| Cannabis | 6 | 34% | 25% | 46% |
| Hallucinogens | 3 | 26% | 14% | 43% |
| Amphetamines | 5 | 22% | 14% | 34% |
| Opioid | 3 | 12% | 8% | 18% |
| Sedative | 3 | 10% | 7% | 15% |
| Alcohol | 9 | 9% | 6% | 15% |
Substances
Psychotic states may occur after using a variety of legal and illegal substances. Substances whose use or withdrawal is implicated in psychosis include the following:
International Classification of Diseases
Psychoactive substance-induced psychotic disorders outlined within the ICD-10 codes F10.5—F19.5:
- F10.5 alcohol: Alcohol is a common cause of psychotic disorders or episodes, which may occur through acute intoxication, chronic alcoholism, withdrawal, exacerbation of existing disorders, or acute idiosyncratic reactions. Research has shown that excessive alcohol use causes an 8-fold increased risk of psychotic disorders in men and a 3 fold increased risk of psychotic disorders in women. While the vast majority of cases are acute and resolve fairly quickly upon treatment and/or abstinence, they can occasionally become chronic and persistent. Alcoholic psychosis is sometimes misdiagnosed as another mental illness such as schizophrenia.
- F11.5 opioid: Studies show stronger opioids such as fentanyl are more likely to cause psychosis and hallucinations.
- F12.5 cannabinoid: Some studies indicate that cannabis may trigger full-blown psychosis. Recent studies have found an increase in risk for psychosis in cannabis users.
- F13.5 sedatives/hypnotics (barbiturates; benzodiazepines): It is also important to this topic to understand the paradoxical effects of some sedative drugs. Serious complications can occur in conjunction with the use of sedatives creating the opposite effect as to that intended. Malcolm Lader at the Institute of Psychiatry in London estimates the incidence of these adverse reactions at about 5%, even in short-term use of the drugs. The paradoxical reactions may consist of depression, with or without suicidal tendencies, phobias, aggressiveness, violent behavior and symptoms sometimes misdiagnosed as psychosis. However, psychosis is more commonly related to the benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome.
- F14.5 cocaine
- F15.5 other stimulants: amphetamines, methamphetamine, and methylphenidate, among others .
- F16.5 hallucinogens (LSD and others)
- F18.5 volatile solvents (volatile inhalants);
F17.5 is reserved for tobacco-induced psychosis, but is traditionally not associated with the induction of psychosis.
The code F15.5 also includes caffeine-induced psychosis, despite not being specifically listed in the DSM-IV. However, there is evidence that caffeine, in extreme acute doses or when taken in excess for long periods of time, may induce psychosis.
Medication
- Fluoroquinolone drugs: Fluoroquinolone use has been linked to serious cases of toxic psychosis . The related quinoline derivative mefloquine (Lariam) has also been associated with psychosis.
- Over-the-counter drugs, including:
- Dextromethorphan (DXM) at high doses.
- Certain antihistamines at high doses.
- Cold medications (i.e., containing phenylpropanolamine, or PPA)
- Prescription drugs:
- Antipsychotics, in an idiosyncratic or paradoxical reaction
- Antimalarials
Other drugs illicit in America
Other drugs illegal in America (not listed above), including:
- MDMA (ecstasy)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Ketamine
- Synthetic research chemicals used recreationally, including:
- JWH-018 and some other synthetic cannabinoids, or mixtures containing them (e.g. "Spice", "Kronic", "MNG" or "Mr. Nice Guy", "Relaxinol", etc.). Various "JWH-..." compounds in "Spice" or "Incense" have also been found and have been found to cause psychosis in some people.
- Mephedrone and related amphetamine-like drugs sold as "bath salts" or "plant food".
Plants
Plants:
- Hawaiian baby woodrose (contains ergine)
- Morning glory seeds (contains ergine)
- Datura (Jimsonweed, devil's trumpet, thorn apple)
- Belladonna (deadly nightshade)
- Salvia divinorum
Nonmedicinal substances
Substances chiefly nonmedicinal as to source:
- Carbon monoxide (T58), carbon dioxide (T59.7), carbon disulfide (T65.4);
- Heavy metals;
- Organophosphate insecticides (T60.0);
- Sarin and other nerve gases;
- Tetraethyllead (T56.0);
- Aniline (T65.3);
- Acetone and other ketones (T52.4);
- Antifreeze – a mixture of ethylene glycol and other glycols (T51.8);
- Arsenic and its compounds (T57.0).
