Clínica VivaldiFree call

Home · Resources · Disorders A–Z · Substance/medication-induced psychotic disorder

Schizophrenia spectrum and psychosis

Substance or drug-induced psychotic disorder

Delusions or hallucinations caused by the use or withdrawal of a substance (cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, alcohol) or by a medication.

Common signs

Psychotic symptoms linked to substance useParanoia or hallucinations after usingThey improve when the substance is stopped

Tips

For you

  1. Seek urgent medical attention
  2. Stop the substance with professional help
  3. Treat the addiction to prevent new episodes

For family and friends

  1. Remove the substances and stay with them
  2. Seek medical attention: it may be intoxication

When to ask for help

  1. If there is agitation, chest pain or confusion: 112
  2. If the symptoms don't ease after stopping the substance

Are you having a really hard time? If you're thinking of harming yourself, call 024 (free, 24 hours) or 112.

Warning signs

List of warning signs. Tick "Yes" for the ones you have noticed. There are 8 questions and you get your result straight away. Your answers are not saved or sent.

0 of 8
1. Has started hearing or seeing things after using
2. Has become suspicious or paranoid after using
3. Often uses cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines or alcohol
4. Has recently started a new medication
5. Is very agitated or frightened
6. Isn't sleeping
7. Says things that make no sense
8. The symptoms appeared with use or on stopping
Also take the full alcohol use test →

Free resources

Downloadable PDF sheetSigns, tips and resources to print or saveSpanish National Plan on Drugs: information and resourcesFree external resourceAll our free guidesFree resource from Clínica Vivaldi

Related disorders

SchizophreniaSchizophrenia spectrum and psychosisSchizophreniform disorderSchizophrenia spectrum and psychosisBrief psychotic disorderSchizophrenia spectrum and psychosisDelusional disorderSchizophrenia spectrum and psychosis

Would you like to talk it through with a professional?

Book a first appointment with our team of psychologists, in person in Valencia or online from anywhere in Spain. If you're not sure where to start, ask for a free guidance call.

Free callWhatsApp +34 611 07 74 69

Reviewed by María Teresa Fernández Vicente, health psychologist and neuropsychologist (registration no. CV17304), in November 2026. Educational information prepared by the Clínica Vivaldi team based on the DSM-5-TR classification. It does not replace a professional assessment and cannot be used to diagnose.