The affected person experiences delusions, hallucinations, and other cognitive and emotional symptoms.
This article will discuss the relationship between drug-induced psychosis and schizophrenia and how it’s treated.
Not everyone who has an episode of drug-induced psychosis will later be diagnosed with schizophrenia, though.
Illustration by Jessica Olah for Verywell Health
It is important to differentiate between the two conditions.
As cannabis becomes legal in more states, more research will likely be done.
Risk Factors
Substance-induced psychosis is a significant risk factor for later developing schizophrenia.
A person may be at greater risk of developing schizophrenia if they have close relatives with the condition.
Hallucinations
Ahallucinationis a sensory experience that does not exist in reality.
Common hallucinations include seeing people who aren’t there and hearing voices.
Disorganized Speech
Disorganized speech and behavior are common in people diagnosed with schizophrenia.
They may jump from one topic to the next with seemingly no connection or coherence.
They also may behave oddly, speaking as if they were children or becoming easily agitated.
A person with schizophrenia typically has little to no insight into their delusions or hallucinations.
They will believe that what they are experiencing is real and it may be difficult to convince them otherwise.
Stopping drug use does not necessarily mean that symptoms will immediately cease, but it is the first step.
Physiological testing cannot diagnose schizophrenia, but it may be used to rule out other conditions.
These tests can include:
In diagnosis, it is important to differentiate substance-induced psychotic disorder from schizophrenia.
Only some people will transition to schizophrenia.
Managing withdrawal is potentially one of the first steps.
Studies show that up to one in four people hospitalized with psychosis for the first time have substance-induced symptoms.
Psychotherapy (talk therapy) can also be an important part of the patient’s treatment plan.
Outlook
Schizophrenia is a chronic, lifelong psychiatric condition.
Throughout their life, a person with schizophrenia will experience ups and downs.
In some cases, this is preceded by substance use or withdrawal.
Substance use disorder, drug-induced psychosis, and schizophrenia can all be closely associated.
Research is ongoing, but all three conditions are complex, and each person’s case is unique.
Treatment options typically span a lifetime and can include medication, hospitalization, and therapy.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you have concerns about drug-induced schizophrenia.
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