Substance Use Disorder and Psychotic Symptoms

Substance Use Disorder and Psychotic Symptoms

Individuals exhibiting psychotic symptoms can indeed be diagnosed with SUD, especially if the psychotic symptoms are directly attributable to substance use. The DSM-5 criteria for SUD recognize that substances like methamphetamine, cannabis, and cocaine can induce psychotic symptoms. Diagnosis requires careful assessment to differentiate between primary psychotic disorders and substance-induced psychosis.

Case Example

Methamphetamine Use

Methamphetamine-induced psychoses will be diagnosed as methamphetamine use disorder with psychotic features if the symptoms occur during the period of methamphetamine use or shortly thereafter. The presence of these symptoms after stopping the substance would necessitate a need for a more thorough assessment to exclude a primary psychosis (Edinoff et al., 2022).

Cannabis Use

In the case of cannabis, psychotic symptoms like paranoia and hallucinations are most commonly manifested during cannabis intake and abate as soon as the person stops consuming cannabis. Nevertheless, some psychotic reactions to cannabis are longer, and the patient requires a diagnosis of cannabis use disorder with psychotic features if they have a history of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (Schoeler et al., 2022). This means that they require a thorough assessment and evaluation in order to be properly diagnosed and managed. Knowing an individual’s history, the relationship between substance use and the onset of symptoms, and the persistence of symptoms during and after cessation is the key to making correct diagnoses and treating the patient.

References

Edinoff, A. N., Kaufman, S. E., Green, K. M., Provenzano, D. A., Lawson, J., Cornett, E. M., Murnane, K. S., Kaye, A. M., & Kaye, A. D. (2022). Methamphetamine use: A narrative review of adverse effects and related toxicities. Health Psychology Research, 10(3). https://doi.org/10.52965/001c.38161

Schoeler, T., Ferris, J., & Winstock, A. R. (2022). Rates and correlates of cannabis-associated psychotic symptoms in over 230,000 people who use cannabis. Translational Psychiatry, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41398-022-02112-8

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Substance Use Disorder and Psychotic Symptoms

In thinking about the DSM-5’s category of Substance Use Disorders, can an individual who is exhibiting psychotic symptoms be diagnosed as having a Substance Use Disorder? Why or why not? Please find any scholarly sources you would like to use in answering this question in addition to our readings.