What Is Cocaine Psychosis? Signs, Risk Factors & Treatment

Cocaine exerts significant strain on your body. As a powerful stimulant, it harms various organs, including the brain. One major impact of cocaine consumption on the brain is alterations in mental state. Specifically, cocaine disrupts how your brain perceives the surrounding environment, potentially leading to psychosis—a condition where an individual loses touch with reality.

What Is Cocaine-Induced Psychosis

Cocaine-induced psychosis is a prevalent consequence of cocaine abuse, affecting up to 86% of individuals struggling with cocaine addiction at some stage. This form of psychosis arises due to cocaine’s impact on the brain’s reward system, which releases the neurotransmitter dopamine. Excessive dopamine release can trigger psychotic symptoms.

Additionally, other neurotransmitters may play a role in cocaine-induced psychosis. For example, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are often abnormally low in those experiencing psychosis, including cocaine-induced cases. Ongoing research aims to further understand BDNF’s role in this condition.

Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine-Induced Psychosis

Psychosis represents a detachment from reality, marked by disrupted speech and behavior. During a psychotic episode, distinguishing between what is real and what is not becomes challenging.

Common indicators of cocaine psychosis include:

Paranoia: Often the initial symptom, paranoia can emerge within hours of cocaine use and persist for weeks. Approximately 90% of those with cocaine psychosis experience paranoia, such as:

• Believing others intend to harm them
• Questioning others’ motives

Hallucinations: Seen in about 96% of individuals with cocaine psychosis, hallucinations can manifest as:

• Visual illusions
• Auditory distortions
• Tactile sensations without physical cause

The likelihood of hallucinations increases with the amount of cocaine consumed, with auditory hallucinations being the most common.

Delusions: These involve false beliefs where the individual may struggle to differentiate reality from fiction. Types of delusions include:

• Persecutory Delusions: Feeling targeted by hostile forces
• Grandiose Delusions: Believing they possess extraordinary abilities or fame
• Delusions of Guilt or Unworthiness: Feeling inherently bad or responsible for family issues

Factors Increasing the Risk of Cocaine-Induced Psychosis

Several elements can elevate the risk of developing cocaine psychosis:

• Level of Dependence: Severe cocaine dependence significantly heightens the likelihood of psychotic symptoms compared to occasional use.
• Dosage: Higher quantities of cocaine increase the risk of psychosis due to greater neurotransmitter stimulation.
• Body Mass Index (BMI): Individuals with a lower BMI may be more susceptible, possibly linked to neurological conditions like Essential Tremor (ET).
• Age of Onset: Starting cocaine use at a younger age, particularly before 20, raises the risk of psychosis.
• Co-occurring Mental Health Disorders: Existing conditions such as depression can increase vulnerability to cocaine psychosis.
• Method of Use: Injecting or smoking cocaine, especially crack, is associated with a higher risk of psychosis.
• Concurrent Substance Use: Using other drugs or alcohol alongside cocaine can amplify the risk of psychotic symptoms.
• Previous Episodes: A history of cocaine psychosis makes future episodes more likely, even with reduced cocaine use.

Treatment for Cocaine-Induced Psychosis

Experiencing cocaine psychosis can be terrifying for both the individual and their loved ones. Fortunately, treatment is available. The approach to treating cocaine psychosis depends on the severity of symptoms. In some cases, symptoms may dissipate on their own within 24-48 hours after ceasing cocaine use, though complete resolution might take several weeks.

For more severe instances where there is a danger to oneself or others, specialized inpatient treatment may be necessary. Medical professionals can administer medications such as antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and sedatives to manage symptoms.

If you or someone you care about is struggling with cocaine addiction and concerned about potential side effects like psychosis, assistance is available. At The Recovery Village Indianapolis, our experienced team understands the frightening nature of cocaine psychosis and offers professional treatment to support your journey toward sobriety. Reach out to us today for help.