Cocaine psychosis is both a serious medical condition and the symptom of a larger problem. Here, we’ll cover what you need to know to identify the signs and symptoms of cocaine-induced psychosis as well as look at treatment options.
The dangers of cocaine are often understated. Individuals may use cocaine for an extended period of time before noticing any serious effects, continuing to believe “I have it under control; I’m fine.”
Often, they’re not fine. Often, they’re slowly exposing their neurochemistry to increasingly toxic levels of dopamine and cocaine metabolites, gradually causing serious, and potentially irreversible, psychological and cognitive harm.
Yes, cocaine can cause a type of psychosis most commonly referred to as cocaine-induced psychosis. It occurs as the result of excessive or prolonged cocaine use and is characterised by a range of psychological symptoms that resemble schizophrenia. Cocaine users in a state of cocaine-induced psychosis might experience paranoia, visual and auditory hallucinations, and delusions, and display aggressive or violent behaviour.
Both powdered and crack cocaine may cause psychosis; however, due to crack cocaine’s increased potency and effect on dopamine levels, it is more likely to lead to a psychotic episode.
Cocaine psychosis can present at various levels of intensity: acute psychosis might present for only a few hours; persistent or sub-acute psychosis might present symptoms that last for a few days up to a few weeks, especially in heavy or binge users; and a small percentage of long-term cocaine users develop chronic or long-term psychosis that may last for up to several months. This doesn’t necessarily mean weeks or months of continuous psychosis, but the patient may experience regular bouts of confusion, paranoia, and delusion.
Contact Gladstones Clinic for effective and accessible residential cocaine rehab.
A 1999 paper in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry reported that 68% to 84% of cocaine patients experience paranoia, and up to 55% of patients with cocaine-induced psychosis exhibit violent behaviours. The study did not distinguish between powdered cocaine and crack cocaine but did indicate that crack cocaine is often associated with more frequent and intense symptoms.
Firstly, the ‘signs’ and the ‘symptoms’ of cocaine are not the same thing. Signs refer to physical and behavioural indicators that manifest in a way that is noticeable to others. The symptoms of cocaine psychosis refer to the psychological symptoms (effects) of long-term or acute cocaine abuse.
Being able to identify the signs of cocaine psychosis enables you to act decisively in the event that you see someone entering a state of psychosis. See our section on what to do when someone is in cocaine psychosis for more information. Some of the signs of cocaine psychosis include:
The physical signs of cocaine psychosis very closely resemble those of a cocaine overdose and include:
The symptoms of cocaine psychosis mirror other types of psychosis; however, as it is substance-induced, it has a much faster onset time than, for example, schizophrenia. Some recognisable symptoms of cocaine psychosis include:
Cocaine-induced psychosis is dangerous because it makes people act unpredictably and erratically. Even people who are otherwise composed, kind, and empathetic can lose their grip on what is real and what is not as a result of prolonged cocaine abuse, becoming aggressive, reckless, paranoid, and violent towards those closest to them. There are also strong links between cocaine psychosis and homicide, suicide, and self-harm.
Seeing a person in a state of cocaine-induced psychosis can be difficult, even if you know exactly what to expect. It will likely be a very stressful situation for you, the person in psychosis, and other bystanders. Adding to the pressure will be one very important question mulling around your mind: “Should I deal with this myself or call emergency services?”
As a rehab clinic, we have a duty to advise playing it safe and contacting medical services—cocaine psychosis could be a precursor of a potential cocaine overdose and is a strong indicator of a serious cocaine addiction. Also as a rehab clinic, we understand how people react in this high-stress situation, and in reality, many cases of serious harm due to cocaine psychosis come down to bystanders choosing ‘not to get the authorities involved right now.’
If someone is in a state of cocaine-induced psychosis, seek immediate emergency treatment. Cocaine is a highly potent drug capable of inducing a severe state of delusion, aggression, violence, and self-harm. Even in the best-case scenario, where someone is ‘only having a bad trip’ or ‘freaking out a bit but not hurting anyone’, we strongly recommend contacting medical professionals who can assess the situation and provide the necessary care.
Emergency personnel receive training in dealing with drug-induced psychosis, which includes techniques for calming individuals in severe emotional distress and de-escalating situations where the patient is delusional. Depending on the situation, they may also administer emergency medical treatment to deal with the effects of cocaine and other substances. If the patient poses a risk of physical harm to themselves or others, police or crisis teams can provide containment and help transport the patient to a suitable healthcare facility for assessment and treatment.
Gladstones Clinic provides affordable, accessible, and effective residential and outpatient cocaine rehab programmes in London, Bristol, the Cotswolds, and Cornwall. Our integrated and holistic treatment programmes, honed and developed over 20 years, are built around our belief in personalised treatment based on each patient’s unique needs.
If you or a loved one have experienced the horrors of cocaine psychosis—if you have, you’ll know that this is not an exaggeration—please contact Gladstones Clinic for an obligation-free discussion of our treatment programmes, facilities, and results.
We’re confident that we can help you permanently end cocaine abuse, moving forward in life with confidence, clarity, and a lifelong partner in sobriety.
Contact Gladstones Clinic for an obligation-free discussion of how we can help you or a loved one permanently overcome cocaine addiction.
Morton, W. A. “Cocaine and Psychiatric Symptoms.” Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry, vol. 1, no. 4, 1999, pp. 109-113. National Library of Medicine, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC181074/. Accessed 10 Dec 2024.
