Drug-induced Schizophrenia: Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment

Maybe your like

Medical News TodaySubscribeExplore more in Schizophrenia

Related Topics

Causes & Risk Factors
Causes & Risk Factors
Related Articles
- Can Cannibas Trigger?
- Religious Impacts
- Trauma Induced
- Average Age of Onset
- Risk of Occurance
- Link to Dopamine
- Genetic Impacts
- Causes Overview
Complications
Complications
Related Articles
- Impacts on Brain
- Can It Affect Smell?
- Decompensation
- Increased Risk of Parkinson's
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Related Articles
- Brain Scans
- Can it Go Undiagnosed?
- Blood Tests
- Diagnosis Overview
Home Remedies
Home Remedies
Related Articles
- Alternative Treatments Overview
- CBD Oil
Management
Management
Related Articles
- Managing Relationships
- Supporting Someone Else
- Claiming Disability
- Coping Tips
- Support Groups
- Expressed Emotion
- Art Therapy
- Management Overview
Treatment
Treatment
Related Articles
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)
- Abilify
- Rexulti
- Injections
- Latuda
- Caplyta
- Invega
- Cobenfy
- Atypical Antipsychotics
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Fanapt
- Risperdal
- Invega Sustenna
- Lithium
- Lybalvi
- Aristada
- Combination Therapies
- Therapy
- Treatment Overview
- Abilify
- Cobenfy
- Invega Trinza
- Abilify Maintena
- Abilify Asimtufii
- Invega Hafyera
Prognosis
Prognosis
Related Articles
- Work Life
- Does it Worsen With Age?
- Possible Cures
- Outlook Overview
Related Conditions
Related Conditions
Related Articles
- Drug-Induced
- vs. Psychosis
- Relationship to ADHD
- vs. Dissociative Identity Disorder
- With Paranoia
- Autism & Schizophrenia
- vs. Schizoaffective Disorder
- Link to Dementia?
- Alcohol-Induced Pyschosis Disorder
- vs. Delusional Disorder
- vs. Drug-Induced Pyschosis
- Link to Asperger's
- With Depression
- Schizoaffective Disorder
- Schizophreniform Disorder
- Link to Stress
Stages
Stages
Related Articles
- Stages Overview
- Prodromal Schizophrenia
Symptoms
Symptoms
Related Articles
- Auditory Hallucinations
- Hallucinations
- Avolition
- Positive Symptoms
- Delusions
- Disorganized Thoughts
- Negative Symptoms
- In Teens
- vs. Neurotypical Brain
- Early Signs
- Abivalence
- Flat Affect
- Clanging
- Early Signs in Children
Types
Types
Related Articles
- Catatonic Schizophrenia
- In Females
- Undifferentiated Schizophrenia
- Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia
- Borderline Schizophrenia
- Acute Schizophrenia
- Simple Schizophrenia
- In Children
- High Functioning Schizophrenia
- Types Overview

Drug-induced schizophrenia (drug-induced psychosis)

Medically reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH — Written by Tom Rush and Zawn Villines — Updated on January 24, 2025

What it is
Vs. schizophrenia
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment and recovery
Contacting a doctor
Outlook
Summary

People may use the term drug-induced schizophrenia to refer to psychosis due to drug use. This condition is not actually schizophrenia but is drug-induced psychosis.

A person with schizophrenia has symptoms of psychosis and other thought and behavioral issues that last longer than 6 months. Drug-induced psychosis, by contrast, typically improves shortly after a person stops using the drug that caused the psychosis.

Doctors do not fully understand what causes schizophrenia, but environmental and genetic factors likely play a role. In people already susceptible to schizophrenia, certain drugs may trigger schizophrenia symptoms and psychotic episodes.

Read on to learn more about drug-induced psychosis, including the causes, symptoms, and treatment methods.

What is drug-induced psychosis?

Distorted faces to represent drug-induced schizophrenia — Chelsea Victoria/Stocksy

The condition some people refer to as drug-induced schizophrenia is actually drug-induced psychosis. A person develops this kind of psychosis because of the effects of drugs on the brain.

Psychosis is a disconnection from reality that causes a person to experience delusions, where they believe untrue things, or hallucinations, where they experience things that are not there.

Drug-induced psychosis vs. schizophrenia

Drug-induced psychosis is not schizophrenia, so the term drug-induced schizophrenia is a misnomer.

The symptoms of drug-induced psychosis are almost identical to those of schizophrenia. The difference between the two conditions is that schizophrenia lasts longer than 6 months. Additionally, for a schizophrenia diagnosis, drugs must not cause a person’s symptoms.

However, if a person with schizophrenia also misuses substances this can make it difficult to distinguish between drug-induced psychosis and underlying schizophrenia in a person with a substance use disorder.

Research also suggests that, in some people, drugs may trigger schizophrenia, or a drug-induced psychotic episode may precede a schizophrenia diagnosis. For example, a 2016 review of research showed that 17% of people who initially received a diagnosis of drug-induced psychosis later progressed to having schizophrenia.

Causes of drug-induced psychosis

Any drug that changes how a person thinks or behaves or causes a person to become high may trigger psychosis. Some research suggests the risk is higher with larger doses or prolonged use.

Drugs can change levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, causing the brain to process information in atypical ways. This also occurs in schizophrenia.

Some drugs that may cause psychosis either during use or withdrawal from use include:

alcohol
sedatives
illegal drugs such as
- cocaine
- methamphetamines
- heroin
- cannabis
- phencyclidine, or PCP
- hallucinogens such as LSD

Symptoms of drug-induced psychosis

If someone experiences delusions or hallucinations following drug use without any other cause for these symptoms, they may meet the criteria for drug-induced psychosis.

A healthcare professional will likely not give a diagnosis of substance-induced psychotic disorder unless the disturbance causes clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning.

Symptoms of psychosis include:

Delusions: This means a person believes things that are demonstrably untrue or very likely to be untrue. They might believe they are a god or that a government entity is pursuing them.
Hallucinations: A person having hallucinations experiences things that are not there or that other people do not experience. They might hear voices, see things other people do not see, or report smelling things others do not.
Unusual behavior: People experiencing psychosis often demonstrate unusual behavior based on their delusions and hallucinations. They might appear paranoid, aggressive, or withdrawn.
Changes in thinking: Psychosis often causes people to have unusual thoughts or resist evidence that their symptoms indicate psychosis.

Diagnosis

No test can conclusively diagnose drug-induced psychosis, though drug tests may confirm that a person is under the influence of drugs.

Instead, doctors diagnose the condition based on symptoms. Then, to confirm the diagnosis of drug-induced psychosis, they have a person stop using drugs.

If symptoms disappear, then the psychosis is drug-induced. If they do not, a person may have schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder.

Treatment and recovery

In most cases, symptoms of drug-induced psychosis resolve quickly on their own, with or without treatment. When the drug leaves a person’s body, they generally regain their connection to reality.

However, cocaine, PCP, and amphetamines may cause longer-lasting symptoms that take several weeks to go away. In these cases, it can take weeks to determine whether the psychosis is drug-induced.

Medications

Some medications may help a person recover faster from drug-induced psychosis. Benzodiazepines and antipsychotics may be effective, but the right drug will depend on the drug that triggered the psychosis. Drugs that stimulate dopamine, such as amphetamines, often respond better to antipsychotics.

Antipsychotics are also one of the main treatments for schizophrenia, so they may help with psychosis in a person with schizophrenia who engages in drug misuse. If symptoms return after a person stops taking antipsychotic medication, and the person continues to experience symptoms in the absence of drug use, they may have schizophrenia rather than drug-induced psychosis.

When to contact a doctor

A person should contact a doctor if they experience symptoms of psychosis, no matter what the trigger is. Some signs to look for include:

suddenly seeing, hearing, or experiencing things others do not
believing things others think are untrue
a change in perceptions, behavior, or experience, especially after drug use
paranoia or anxiety because of beliefs or experiences other people do not share

A person should also contact a doctor if their symptoms come back after they stop taking antipsychotics or if they experience side effects with drugs for psychosis.

Outlook

The outlook for people with drug-induced psychosis is good. Symptoms usually go away after a person stops using the drug. This often happens within a few hours, but improvement may take several weeks in the case of drugs such as amphetamines, PCP, and cocaine. This is likely with chronic use.

Schizophrenia is a chronic illness. There is currently no cure, but treatment can improve symptoms. Access to quality medical care is important. The outlook is generally better for females, people living in wealthy nations, and those who developed schizophrenia in adulthood.

However, the side effects of schizophrenia medication can be difficult to manage, and it is common for people to stop taking their medication. Suicide remains a leading cause of death in people with schizophrenia.

The life expectancy for people with schizophrenia is lower than that of the general population, though estimates of how schizophrenia affects life expectancy vary.

Help is out there

If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support:

Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.
Not in the United States? Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide.
Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.

If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives. You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.

If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.

Summary

Drug-induced psychosis is not schizophrenia and usually goes away on its own with or without treatment if a person stops using the drug that caused it.

However, a psychotic episode under the influence of drugs may be an early warning sign of schizophrenia or a trigger for schizophrenia in people who may be more likely to develop the condition.

Getting treatment for psychotic symptoms can help a person get the right care and reduce the risk that symptoms will negatively affect their life.

A person experiencing any signs of psychosis should contact a doctor or mental health professional. If the symptoms are severe or cause a person to contemplate harming themselves or others, they should seek emergency care.

Schizophrenia
Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Correll CU, et al. (2022). Mortality in people with schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta‐analysis of relative risk and aggravating or attenuating factors.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9077617
Fusar-Poli P, et al. (2016). Diagnostic stability of ICD/DSM first episode psychosis diagnoses: Meta-analysis.https://academic.oup.com/schizophreniabulletin/article/42/6/1395/2399275
Ham S, et al. (2017). Drug abuse and psychosis: New insights into drug-induced psychosis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5326711/
Hany M, et al. (2024). Schizophrenia.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539864/
Li X, et al. (2022). A glimpse of gender differences in schizophrenia.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9438004/
Tamminga C. (2022). Substance-/medication-induced psychotic disorder.https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/psychiatric-disorders/schizophrenia-and-related-disorders/substance-medication-induced-psychotic-disorder
Tandon R, et al. (2019). Substance-induced psychotic disorders and schizophrenia: Pathophysiological insights and clinical implications.https://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19070734
What is schizophrenia? (2024).https://psychiatry.org/patients-families/schizophrenia/what-is-schizophrenia

Share this article

Medically reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH — Written by Tom Rush and Zawn Villines — Updated on January 24, 2025

Latest news

Psychedelic drug can relieve severe depressive symptoms, phase 2 trial finds
Stopping eating at least 3 hours before bed may help improve heart health
Is exercise actually effective at easing osteoarthritis symptoms?
Are NAD supplements 'the fountain of youth'? Longevity expert weighs in
Lifelong lead exposure may harm brain health in later years

Related Coverage

What is childhood schizophrenia?Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD
Schizophrenia usually starts in adulthood, but it can sometimes affect children. Find out how to recognize it and the treatments available.
READ MORE
Is there a link between schizophrenia and dementia?Medically reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH
Studies indicate there is a relationship between schizophrenia and dementia, but the exact link between the conditions remains unclear. Learn more.
READ MORE
What to know about treatment adherence in schizophrenia: An expert explains
Staying on treatment can be challenging for people living with schizophrenia. An expert explains what treatment adherence means, why it matters, and…
READ MORE
Schizophrenia: Aggressive behavior toward family membersMedically reviewed by Matthew Boland, PhD
Aggressive behavior resulting from schizophrenia can be frightening and overwhelming for families who want to provide support while ensuring…
READ MORE
Can schizophrenia affect the eyes?Medically reviewed by Nicole Washington, DO, MPH
Researchers associate schizophrenia with certain eye irregularities, including structural changes and eye movement characteristics. Learn more here.
READ MORE

Tag » What Drugs Can Cause Permanent Psychosis

Health Conditions

Health Products

News

Original Series

Podcasts

General Health

Health Tools

Quizzes

About Medical News Today

Find Community

Follow Us

Related Topics

Causes & Risk Factors

Related Articles

Complications

Related Articles

Diagnosis

Related Articles

Home Remedies

Related Articles

Management

Related Articles

Treatment

Related Articles

Prognosis

Related Articles

Related Conditions

Related Articles

Stages

Related Articles

Symptoms

Related Articles

Types

Related Articles

What is drug-induced psychosis?

Drug-induced psychosis vs. schizophrenia

Causes of drug-induced psychosis

Symptoms of drug-induced psychosis

Diagnosis

Treatment and recovery

Medications

When to contact a doctor

Outlook

Help is out there

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

Latest news

Related Coverage

Contact