Substance misuse can lead to a long list of physical and mental health issues. Some are more associated with chronic or long-term use, while others can occur at any time.

Overdose is a serious physical risk associated with many types of drug use. Substance use, which includes both misuse and any use of psychoactive substances, also plays a significant role in increasing mental health risks.

One of the most serious psychological or mental health risks is drug-induced psychosis. This can happen when you are using the drug or sometimes when you are withdrawing from it. Various substances, including stimulants, hallucinogens, and cannabis, can lead to drug-induced psychosis.

 

What is Drug-induced Psychosis?

Psychosis is sometimes also referred to as a psychotic episode or psychotic experience. Psychosis is a feature of several psychotic disorders and can be part of a diagnosed psychotic disorder.

It is when you perceive reality differently from others, essentially losing touch with what is real and what is not.

Psychosis can be caused by a number of mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and severe depression. It can also be triggered by alcohol or drug misuse, and this is known as drug-induced psychosis or substance-induced psychosis.

People with an underlying mental health condition that can cause psychosis, or other psychotic disorders, can also be more susceptible to experiencing drug-induced psychosis when using mind-altering substances. Identifying the underlying cause of psychosis is important for determining the most effective treatment.

 

What Causes Drug-Induced Psychosis?

Drug-induced psychosis is a very difficult and complex mental health condition to experience. It can be caused by a combination of factors related to drug use and individual vulnerability.

The primary cause is the use of psychoactive drugs. These are substances that alter the brain’s chemistry and can disrupt our normal way thinking, our perception, and also our behaviour. When these drugs are misused or abused, and even in people with no previous history of mental illness, they can trigger psychotic symptoms such as:

  • Hallucinations
  • Delusional thinking
  • Disorganised speech

Certain substances are more likely to cause induced psychosis than others. Cannabis, cocaine, and amphetamines are among the drugs most commonly linked to the onset of psychotic symptoms, especially when used in high doses or over a prolonged period. However, any substance, including some prescription medications and illegal drugs, has the potential to cause psychosis in susceptible individuals.

Underlying mental health conditions also result in the development of drug-induced psychosis. People who already have a mental health condition are at greater risk, as are those with a family history of mental illness. Substance abuse can act as a trigger, bringing on psychosis in individuals who may already be vulnerable due to genetic or psychological factors.

A combination of drug use, personal mental health history, and environmental stressors can all contribute to the onset of symptoms.

 

The Symptoms of Drug-induced Psychosis

According to the NHS, the two main symptoms of psychosis are hallucinations and delusions.

Hallucinations

This is when a person senses things that are not real. These may involve seeing or hearing things that do not exist outside your own mind but seem very real to the person experiencing them. This could include seeing figures or faces that are not real, seeing objects that appear to be distorted or moving in a way that they shouldn’t, or hearing voices.

In other cases, hallucinations can also involve smells, tastes and the sensation of touching or feeling something that is not there. An example could be feeling crawling insects on the skin.

Delusions

This is when you have a strong belief in things that are not shared by others and which can (usually) be shown not to be true. One type of delusional thinking is a ‘delusion of grandeur’, which is when you believe you are more powerful or important than you are.

You might even believe you have special powers, such as the ability to influence the stock market or world events. In other cases, you might feel that people are out to get you and a common delusion is that there is a conspiracy to harm you in some way.

Mental health charity Mind says that while these symptoms can lead to confusion, disorganised thinking can also be a type of psychosis in its own right.

It can take different forms, including:

  • Racing thoughts: This is when thoughts race through your head very quickly. They can chase each other so fast that you start to feel out of control.
  • Flight of ideas: This is similar but your thoughts move quickly from one idea to the next, making links and seeing patterns and meaning that other people do not.

 

How Long Does Drug-Induced Psychosis Last?

In most cases, psychosis lasts for no more than a day after taking the drug, but even a short period of psychosis can have a lasting impact on mental health and well-being.

The duration of the psychosis can depend on a number of factors, including the substance involved, the heaviness of usage and the individual. MedicineNet, for example, says that with drugs such as amphetamines, phencyclidine (PCP) and cocaine, the symptoms can last from a day to several weeks.

Where drug misuse triggers or exacerbates a psychotic episode in a person who already suffers from an underlying mental health condition such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, it can be much more serious and could last for months.

 

Which Drugs Cause Drug Psychosis?

Drug psychosis can be brought on by a number of different substances, including (but not limited to):

  • LSD
  • MDMA (Ecstasy)
  • Alcohol – is generally associated with long-term use and withdrawal
  • GHB
  • Marijuana
  • Synthetic cannabinoids (spice)
  • Magic mushrooms
  • Opiates (including illegal drugs like heroin and some prescription painkillers)
  • Stimulants (including amphetamine and methamphetamine and cocaine)

Psychosis generally occurs during or following the use of the drug and may be relatively short-lived, lasting as long as the effect of the drug itself. This is generally known as acute psychosis and could be a one-off that lasts a matter of hours. In other cases, drug use can trigger a psychosis that lasts far longer. It could even trigger chronic psychosis, which is long-term in nature and could even be permanent.

One of the limited number of definitive studies in this area looked at patients experiencing drug-induced psychosis in China. Most were found to be young males with a long history of drug addiction, with the most common drug involved being methamphetamine.

It also found that:

  • Around 60% of cases saw psychotic symptoms resolved within a month of stopping the use of the drug
  • Around 30% saw symptoms persist for between one and six months after stopping drug use
  • Around 10% saw symptoms persist for longer than six months

 

Why Does Drug Psychosis Last Longer for Some and Not Others?

There can be many reasons for this, including the type of drug used, the dose and frequency, genetics, preexisting mental health conditions, and sleep deprivation (which is a major contributor), especially with stimulants. In some people who are already vulnerable, certain substances can trigger longer-lasting or recurring psychotic symptoms.

If psychosis persists for more than a month after stopping the substance, clinicians begin considering the possibility of a persistent psychotic disorder or an underlying condition such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, though this is not the case for most people.

Recovery is supported by completely stopping drug consumption. Adequate sleep, proper hydration and nutrition, a calm and safe environment, and professional help if symptoms are severe or last more than 48 hours. Medical attention is especially important if someone becomes a danger to themselves or others, cannot distinguish reality from hallucinations, shows symptoms that worsen or last longer than a day, or becomes extremely paranoid, aggressive, or disoriented. With drug-induced psychosis, it’s recognised as a medical condition and with the right support, most people recover.

 

Getting Help: Drug-Induced Psychosis Treatment

Any kind of psychotic episode can be very serious and may be treated as a medical emergency. The NHS says you should contact your GP straight away, who can help determine the cause of any psychosis and can refer you to relevant mental health professionals.

In the case of drug-induced psychosis, you will also have to treat the substance misuse in order to avoid a recurrence of the problem. This could involve a stay at drug rehab, which will help you during the drug detox and explore the root causes of your substance misuse.

Psychosis treatment often includes effective treatment approaches such as medication, intensive therapy, and support services tailored to your needs.

Evidence-led treatment programmes delivered at residential rehab provide the most effective way to deal with drug addiction. A structured treatment plan may include anti psychotics for severe symptoms, as well as therapy and coping strategies to manage symptoms, support recovery, and prevent relapse.

Ongoing support from professionals is typically essential for long-term stability. We also offer dual diagnosis treatment, which treats both the addiction and the underlying mental health issues that co-exist at the same time. Support groups can also provide valuable emotional support and help reduce feelings of isolation.

If you have any concerns about these issues, contact us today for confidential help and advice on 0800 880 7596.

John Gillen - Director at Ocean Recovery

John Gillen - Author - Last updated: November 17, 2025

John is one UK’s leading professionals in the addiction recovery industry. Pioneering new treatment techniques such as NAD+ and ongoing research into new therapy techniques such as systematic laser therapy, John is committed to providing the very best treatment for people throughout the UK and Europe. During his extremely busy schedule, John likes to regularly update our blog section with the latest news and trends in the industry to keep visitors to our site as well informed as possible on everything related to addiction treatment.

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