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When someone experiences drug-induced psychosis, it can be terrifying—both for them and for the people who love them. The person may see or hear things that aren’t there, believe things that don’t make sense, or become completely disconnected from reality.
If you’ve witnessed this in someone you care about, you’re probably looking for answers. And if you’ve experienced it yourself, you may be wondering what happened to you and whether it could happen again.
Essentially, drug-induced psychosis is a mental health condition caused by substance use. It occurs when drugs or alcohol trigger psychotic symptoms like hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real), delusions (believing things that aren’t true), and severe confusion. While the experience can feel overwhelming, the good news is that drug-induced psychosis is often temporary—and with the right treatment, recovery is absolutely possible.
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What Are the Three Stages of Drug-Induced Psychosis?
Drug-induced psychosis typically unfolds in three distinct stages. Understanding these stages can help you recognize what's happening and respond appropriately.
Stage 1: The Onset
This first stage often begins during or shortly after drug use. The person may start showing early warning signs, such as:
- Increased anxiety
- Paranoia
- Or confusion.
Sleep disturbances are also common, and the person might seem unusually suspicious or fearful. They may withdraw from conversations or seem unable to focus. At this point, symptoms are often subtle enough that others might dismiss them as simply being high or tired.
Stage 2: Acute Psychosis
This is the peak of the episode, where symptoms become impossible to ignore. The person may experience vivid hallucinations, hearing voices or seeing things that others can’t perceive.
Delusions take hold—they might believe they’re being followed, that someone is trying to hurt them, or that they have special powers. Their thoughts may become disorganized and hard to follow. Behavior can further become erratic, aggressive, or completely out of character.
Stage 3: Recovery
As the substance leaves the body and the brain begins to stabilize, symptoms gradually fade.
The person may feel exhausted, confused about what happened, or embarrassed. Some people have clear memories of the episode, while others remember very little.
Ultimately, a full recovery can take anywhere from a few hours to several weeks, depending on the substance used and the individual’s overall health.
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Which Drugs Are Most Likely to Induce Psychosis?
While psychosis can potentially occur with many substances, certain drugs carry a significantly higher risk. These include the following.
Methamphetamine
Meth is one of the most common causes of drug-induced psychosis. The intense stimulation it creates in the brain, combined with the sleep deprivation that often accompanies meth use, creates a perfect storm for psychotic symptoms.
Many people who use meth regularly experience paranoia, hallucinations, and delusions—sometimes believing that bugs are crawling under their skin or that people are conspiring against them.
Cannabis
While many people think of marijuana as harmless, high-potency cannabis products can trigger psychosis—especially in young people or those with a family history of mental illness.
In fact, today’s cannabis strains contain much higher THC levels than in previous decades, increasing the risk of psychotic reactions.
Cocaine
Cocaine-induced psychosis often involves intense paranoia and can occur even after a single use in some individuals. Heavy or prolonged use significantly increases the risk, and symptoms can persist even after the person stops using.
Hallucinogens
LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, and other hallucinogens alter perception by design.
While not everyone who uses these substances experiences lasting psychosis, some people develop persistent symptoms that continue long after the drug has left their system.
Alcohol
Heavy, chronic alcohol use can lead to alcohol-induced psychosis. Perhaps more dangerously, sudden withdrawal from alcohol in someone who is physically dependent can trigger severe psychotic symptoms as part of delirium tremens, a potentially life-threatening condition.
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Recovery Is Possible
If you or someone you love has experienced drug-induced psychosis, it’s natural to feel scared about what the future holds. But this doesn’t have to define the rest of your life. With proper treatment and support, people recover from both substance use disorders and the psychotic episodes they can cause.
Freedom Recovery Centers (FRC) can help you pave your way toward recovery. Our caring and compassionate team understands the unique challenges that come with substance-induced mental health conditions. We’re here to help you lead a brighter, healthier life. Call us today at 804-635-3746.
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