What is Amphetamine Psychosis?

Amphetamine psychosis typically arises in one of two forms: amphetamine-induced psychosis and amphetamine withdrawal psychosis.

Psychosisis a state in which a person experiences a temporary disconnect from reality and loses the ability to distinguish internal psychological processes from external events. Psychosis can be experienced on its own or as a symptom of a mental health condition. Certainsubstances can also trigger psychosissymptoms.

One of the most common types of substance-induced psychosis is amphetamine psychosis. Like other types of substance-induced psychosis,amphetamine psychosisis relatively short-lived and typically subsides once the individual stops using amphetamines. However, some cases may persist after amphetamines are out of a person’s system. Amphetamine psychosis typically arises in one of two forms:amphetamine-induced psychosisandamphetamine withdrawalpsychosis.

Amphetamine Psychosis Symptoms

Amphetamine psychosis may manifest in different ways based on individual differences, the presence of other psychiatric conditions or the effects of combining amphetamines with other drugs. However,amphetamine psychosisusually produces the following symptoms:

• Extreme agitation
• Paranoid delusions
• Grandiose delusions
• Visual hallucinations
• Auditory hallucinations
• Disorganized thinking
• Difficulty concentrating
• Rapid, often illogical speech
• Increased or erratic motor activity
• Poor insight into causes of symptoms

Only about18 percentof people whouse amphetaminesever experienceamphetamine psychosis symptoms.However, given that16 million adultsin the United States are prescribed stimulants andhalf a millionAmericans use methamphetamines every week, this still represents a significant number of people.

Like all classes ofstimulants, amphetamines work by activating the sympathetic nervous system and prompting the release of natural stimulant chemicals into the brain, including dopamine, norepinephrine and adrenaline. These chemical messengers elevate heart rate and increase blood pressure, improving focus, alertness and attention.

While these effects can be helpful for individuals with conditions like attention hyperactivity disorder, they may also cause stress or anxiety. These adverse reactions can aggravate or induce a wide range ofpsychological disordersand symptoms, including paranoia or panic. The chances of adverse side effects are particularly high when using large amounts of amphetamines. When combined with other changes caused by chronic amphetamine use, panic and paranoia can progress to psychosis.

The symptoms of amphetamine-induced psychosisresemble symptomsof chronic psychotic disorders likeschizophrenia, which makes it hard for physicians to immediately tell the two conditions apart. Minor differences in symptom profiles can sometimes help clinicians determine if an episode of psychosis is substance-induced. For example, visual hallucinations are relatively rare in schizophrenia but are more common in substance-induced psychosis. Conversely, symptoms of disorganized speech and avolition that are common in schizophrenia areless likely to occur in amphetamine-induced psychosis.

However, these subtle differences aren’t always apparent. People who exhibit symptoms of amphetamine psychosis may initially be misdiagnosed withschizophreniaor other chronicpsychotic disorders. In some cases, they may even be sent to inpatient psychiatric treatment with the wrong referral diagnosis. When these individuals are given antipsychotic drugs to treat their symptoms, it can take clinicians even longer to realize that their psychotic symptoms were substance-induced. Improvement may be associated with the effects of the antipsychotic medication rather than the one factor consistently associated with recovery from amphetamine psychosis: time.

Amphetamines areeliminated from a person’s system within 12–15 hoursof stopping use, and symptoms typically subside shortly afterward. However, once induced, it is not unusual for amphetamine psychosis to persist as brain chemistry gradually returns to normal. These symptoms rarely last longer than ten days, though some people may require one to two months for dopamine levels to recover. Extendedamphetamine psychosis is more likely to occur in people who have used amphetamines for long periods.

Adderall Withdrawal Psychosis

People who use Adderall or other prescription stimulants are at risk of experiencingamphetamine withdrawal psychosis. Stimulants can significantly alter levels of dopamine in the brain, which can cause psychotic symptoms after use of the drug is discontinued, especially when people experience additional stressors during the withdrawal period. Individuals who experience amphetamine psychosis while using amphetamines are atan increased riskof psychosis symptoms duringamphetamine withdrawal.

The symptoms of withdrawal psychosis are similar to symptoms of active amphetamine use psychosis. Early signs of withdrawal psychosis may include physical or psychological agitation and paranoia. Insomnia and other sleep problems are common during the initial “crash phase” of amphetamine withdrawal, which can heighten the risk of delirium and psychosis. For most people, all symptoms of amphetamine withdrawal, including psychotic symptoms, dissipate withinthree weeks.

Amphetamine Psychosis Treatment

Amphetaminepsychosis treatmentis usually pretty simple. In most cases, the symptoms of amphetamine psychosis to subside on their own over time. The most severe symptoms of amphetamine-induced or amphetamine withdrawal psychosis tend to dissipate within one to three days of discontinuing amphetamine use. Prolonged symptoms are usually milder and can often be managed safely at home.

However, many people needinpatient treatmentduring the acute phase of amphetamine psychosis, as severe psychotic symptoms can be dangerous. Many inpatient interventions focus on preventing people from acting on delusional thoughts. People experiencing acute stimulant intoxication or withdrawal may also require additional medical care to address other withdrawal symptoms, including hyperthermia, dehydration or high blood pressure.

Research shows that antipsychotic drugs used to treat schizophrenia and other chronic and organic psychotic disorders, such as haloperidol (Haldol) and olanzapine (Zyprexa), canreduce symptomsof amphetamine psychosis. Benzodiazepines may also be administered to reduce agitation andtreat or reduce the risk of seizures. However, because these drugs also carry potentially dangerous side effects, many clinicians resist using them unless necessary.

Often, the most important component of the treatment plan for amphetamine psychosis is a referral to a substance abuse treatment program. Many people whose amphetamine use has progressed to the point of psychosis live with a substance use disorder andrequire interventionto begin the recovery process.

If you are concerned about your amphetamine use, you can read more about amphetamine use disorders or take a self-assessment quiz to assess your risk of addiction. If you know you need help for an amphetamine use disorder or co-occurring substance use and psychotic disorders, quality care is closer than you think. Contact a representative from The Recovery Village today to get started.

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