Cocaine psychosis is one of the many dangerous side effects of cocaine.
Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant and illicit drug that’s commonly abused for its euphoric side effects. Long-term cocaine abuse can result in a variety of health problems and even change the chemical structure of the user’s brain. As a drug rehab facility in Delaware, we’re aware of the effects of cocaine, including cocaine-induced psychosis.
What Is Cocaine-Induced Psychosis?
The side effects of cocaine aren’t always the same for everyone. While some people experience euphoria, well-being, and increased energy, others may become paranoid and anxious. A cocaine high usually lasts for about an hour or so. When these symptoms begin to wear off, it’s referred to as a crash. When a crash occurs, the dopamine levels that were elevated by cocaine begin to decrease, causing symptoms of depression and anxiety. A chronic cocaine user may experience a severe version of these symptoms, which is also known as cocaine-induced psychosis. Because cocaine affects the levels of dopamine in the brain, cocaine-induced psychosis is thought to be an indicator of dopamine deficiency.
Cocaine is a highly addictive substance that usually requires formal treatment and medical attention for recovery. At Banyan Treatment Centers Delaware, we offer a medical detox that helps to alleviate the patient’s withdrawal symptoms and their addiction cravings. A medically monitored detox is often the first step in the recovery journey.
Cocaine-Induced Psychosis Symptoms
The symptoms of cocaine-induced psychosis are similar to those of mental disorders like bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. They can make a person seem as if they're having a mental breakdown or psychotic episode.
Common symptoms of cocaine psychosis include:
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Erratic movements
- Confusion
- Disorganized thoughts and speech
- Delusions
- Hallucinations
- Aggressive or violent behavior
- Delirium
- Suicidal or homicidal thoughts and behavior
Cocaine paranoia is a common symptom of cocaine psychosis. Users suffering from psychosis may begin to feel suspicious of others, causing them to act out aggressively or violently. Hallucinations are also common side effects of cocaine-induced psychosis. Hallucinations can cause the individual to feel paranoid or anxious by causing them to see, hear, or feel things that aren’t real. Delusions may cause a person to not know who they are or believe they’re someone else, may cause them to believe they own things they don’t own, may increase their self-esteem, and cause them to be suspicious of the identity of people they know.
How Long Does Cocaine-Induced Psychosis Last?
Cocaine-induced psychosis can last between a few hours and a few weeks. It’s a common symptom of cocaine abuse, especially in long-term users. The longevity and intensity of cocaine psychosis symptoms may vary depending on how much the person used, whether they’ve used it before, and whether they took it with other drugs or alcohol.
Cocaine-Induced Psychosis Recovery
The best way to recover from cocaine-induced psychosis is by getting professional addiction treatment. At Banyan Delaware, not only do we offer medical detox as the first step of recovery, but we also offer a residential treatment program. This is a form of inpatient treatment during which patients will stay at our facility while they recover from their cocaine addiction. We also expose patients to a variety of other therapies during their treatment, including individual therapy, group therapy, addiction counseling, and our 12-Step Program.