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Cocaine is an addictive stimulant drug that acts on the central nervous system, and its use can lead to cocaine-induced psychosis. It causes feelings of increased energy and euphoria and comes in powder and crystal forms. People tend to snort cocaine, but it can also be smoked or injected. Cocaine is also known as coke, crack, or blow. Cocaine is one of the most widely used recreational drugs.1
According to the Office for National Statistics, 2.1% of adults, aged 16 to 59, had used aged 16 to 59 years had used powder cocaine in the last year.2
Cocaine interferes with chemical signals in the brain. Using cocaine can make you feel more alert, confident, or talkative than usual, but can also bring about unpleasant effects, such as:
- Agitation
- Restlessness
- Paranoia
- Insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
- Palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing)
It can also cause a negative impact on your mental health. Cocaine intoxication can lead to very serious consequences, including cocaine psychosis and overdose. It is also highly addictive.3
If you or someone you know may be struggling with cocaine addiction or misuse, it is important to seek professional help. At CATCH Recovery, our specialist clinical team is experienced in helping people recover from cocaine addiction. Contact us today to book a screening assessment.
What Is Cocaine-Induced Psychosis?
Cocaine-induced psychosis happens when a person experiences symptoms of psychosis during or after cocaine use. Users typically lose touch with reality: become increasingly paranoid, hallucinate, or become aggressive or even violent, despite that not being part of their character. Cocaine-induced psychosis, like other substance-induced psychotic disorders, occurs in the most extreme cases. Cocaine-induced psychotic disorder is a psychiatric condition that changes how we perceive the world. Many cocaine users will experience psychiatric symptoms, and some will go on to experience psychosis. One study found that over 50% of cocaine users had experienced psychotic symptoms.4,5
Common Symptoms of Cocaine-Induced Psychosis
Hallucinations
Hallucinations can make you sense things that aren’t there. For example, you may see, hear, feel, smell, or taste something that only exists in your mind. This can feel very real and can be very alarming. These are common features of cocaine induced psychosis.4
Delusions
Delusions are false beliefs, either about ourselves or other people, or the world around us. These strongly held beliefs are difficult to shake and are not shared by those around you. Delusions can make you feel threatened and fearful if, for example, you believe that others intend to harm you. These psychiatric effects can be extremely distressing and may lead to the need for medical attention.4,6
Paranoia
Cocaine-induced paranoia is a common symptom of cocaine intoxication, and studies on cocaine and psychiatric symptoms have shown that between 68 and 84% of cocaine users have experienced paranoia as a side effect.7
Cocaine misuse can also lead to a condition known as ‘delusional infestation’. This causes people to believe that their body, or skin, has been infested with pathogens, such as spiders. This can lead to significant complications, such as infections from intense scratching, anxiety, and insomnia.8
These symptoms can be highly distressing. If you or a loved one is suffering from the symptoms of cocaine induced psychosis, it is important to seek medical help. Talking to your GP or reaching out to us for professional addiction treatment can support you in finding recovery.
What Are the Risk Factors for Cocaine-Induced Psychosis?
There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of cocaine-induced psychosis:
- Taking high doses of cocaine
- Mixing cocaine with other drugs
- Using cocaine at an early age
- Pre-existing mental health conditions
- Injecting cocaine
Increased use of cocaine puts people at greater risk of developing psychosis. The more cocaine is used, the greater its effect on the brain, increasing the risk of psychiatric symptoms. Someone who has overdosed on cocaine can experience severe symptoms of cocaine psychosis, such as extreme paranoia, agitation, and hallucinations.3
Mixing cocaine with other drugs, such as cannabis or MDMA, also increases the impact on the brain. This can increase the risk of cocaine-induced psychosis.3
Cocaine has been shown to have a particularly damaging effect on mental health if taken at a young age. In particular, people who start taking cocaine at a young age have been shown to be at greater risk of developing psychosis later in life.8
How cocaine is taken has also been shown to affect complication risks. Injecting cocaine carries the greatest risks, particularly for overdose and its related effects.3
The symptoms of some mental health conditions, like schizophrenia, can be very similar to cocaine-induced psychosis. It is important to recognise that cocaine misuse can produce psychotic symptoms or can worsen existing mental health conditions.7,8
Long-Term Effects of Cocaine-Induced Psychosis
Both short and long-term use of cocaine can bring about symptoms of psychosis, and cocaine use disorder can be linked to mental health conditions (co-occurring disorders). Cocaine-induced psychosis will usually resolve after a detoxification period. However, it puts you at greater risk of developing drug addiction, as well as other mental health conditions that require treatment and consideration around a dual diagnosis.3
In the long term, cocaine-induced psychosis can bring about behavioural changes that can have a negative impact on other areas of life. Patients who experience cocaine induced psychosis are at greater risk of changes in personality, such as increased aggression and erratic behaviour. This can negatively impact relationships with other people, such as family and friends.
Other negative effects include difficulties in managing other commitments, such as work. This can lead to unemployment and have a knock-on effect on your finances. These factors can all add up and have further impacts on your mental health.
Drug-induced psychosis can also lead to the development of other psychiatric conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. This is made even more likely if a patient self-harms during an episode of drug-induced psychosis.3,9
Engaging in professional help, such as specialist addiction therapy provided by qualified individuals from CATCH Recovery, can help you to break the negative cycle that drugs such as cocaine can have on your long-term health. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing personalised care and professional support to help you overcome cocaine addiction.
What Help Is Available?
If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms of cocaine-induced psychosis, it is important to reach out for professional help and cocaine-induced psychosis treatment to tackle the addiction and the underlying causes. Substance-induced psychosis is associated with increased drug usage and dependence and could be a sign of addiction.7
At CATCH Recovery, we offer specialised addiction treatment services to people suffering from drug misuse, including cocaine. Our outpatient services offer online and in-person treatments, such as individual and group therapies, to support you in developing coping mechanisms to overcome addiction.
By booking a free assessment with our team through our website, you will be put in contact with one of our dedicated therapists to assess your circumstances. They will develop a personalised treatment plan, which may include a detoxification period and therapy sessions that can be scheduled around your other commitments.
For patients who need further support, our sister services, our sister rehab offers residential rehab treatment for medically managed detoxification (detox) and addiction treatment. Some people may require medications to help manage mental health symptoms of psychosis or an existing condition more effectively. Our clinical team is equipped to manage and deliver medical treatments, so we can support your unique needs and requirements. With this approach, you have 24/7 medical support and specialists on hand to help manage withdrawal symptoms and develop strategies to give you the best chance of sustained recovery.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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What are the symptoms of drug-induced psychosis?
Drug-induced psychosis often presents with a range of symptoms that can be distressing, such as hallucinations, delusions, and severe paranoia. Individuals experiencing this condition may see or hear things that aren’t there, hold false beliefs about themselves or others, and feel an overwhelming sense of fear or suspicion. Episodes of psychosis can be intense and distressing, leading to significant disruptions in behaviour and thought processes.[2]
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Does drug-induced psychosis ever go away?
Drug-induced psychosis is generally a temporary condition that tends to resolve once the substance responsible is cleared from the body and the withdrawal process is completed. For most individuals, the symptoms of drug-induced psychosis diminish within days to weeks after ceasing drug use, especially if there are no underlying psychiatric conditions. Medical advice and assistance should be sought from your GP. A medically supervised detox and rehabilitation from the substance, and further therapeutic treatment and support, will assist in recovery.
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How long does drug-induced psychosis last?
Drug-induced psychosis can subside after a period of 2-10 days. However, drug-induced psychosis typically resolves after a 30-day period of sobriety. Individuals who have experienced this condition are more likely to develop severe drug addiction. [10]
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What to do with someone in drug-induced psychosis?
If you know or suspect that someone is experiencing a drug-induced episode of psychosis, it is important to ensure the safety of that person and of the people around them. Remain calm, and speak calmly and clearly. If you are concerned that your loved one is posing a risk to themselves or others, seek medical help. It is important to reach out to a healthcare provider or GP for help and advice if this is an ongoing issue. Whilst you wish the best for your loved one, detox and specialist medical care within a rehab facility may be necessary to manage your loved one’s severe symptoms and help them begin their recovery journey.
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References
- NHS Inform. Cocaine. https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/drugs-and-drug-use/common-drugs/cocaine. [Accessed March 2025].
- Roncero C, et al. Risk factors for cocaine-induced psychosis in cocaine-dependent patients. European Psychiatry. 2013;28(3): 141-6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eurpsy.2011.06.012
- Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF). Cocaine. https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/cocaine/. [Accessed March 2025].
- NHS. Psychosis – Overview. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/psychosis/overview/. [Accessed March 2025].
- The Journal of European Psychiatry. Risk factors for cocaine-induced psychosis in cocaine-dependent patients. Available from: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/european-psychiatry/article/abs/risk-factors-for-cocaineinduced-psychosis-in-cocainedependent-patients/034CB2709B78DB467FBEB83C6F449777. [Accessed on 10/03/2025].
- Torales J, Almirón-Santacruz J, Barrios I, et al. “Cocaine bugs”: implications for primary care providers. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2022;24(2):21cr03019.
- Morton WA. Cocaine and Psychiatric Symptoms. Prim Care Companion J Clin Psychiatry. 1999;1(4): 109–13. doi: 10.4088/pcc.v01n0403.
- Sabe, M., Zhao, N., Kaiser, S. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Prevalence of Cocaine-Induced Psychosis in Cocaine Users. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry, Volume 109. 2021:110263. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnpbp.2021.110263.
- Roncero C, et al. Prevalence and risk factors of psychotic symptoms in cocaine-dependent patients. Actas Esp Psiquiatr. 2012;40(4): 187-97. PMID: 22851479.