Legal drugs can induce true psychosis two ways. Drug intoxication, or
drug withdrawal.
Anticholinergic drugs (atropine, scopolamine, Jimson weed, most
antihistamines (diphenhydramine, dimenhydrinate, hydroxizine, etc.)
can induce a true psychotic state which will abate once the acute
effects of the drug wear off.
Drugs that have general depressant effects on the central nervous
system (especially alcohol and barbiturates) do not induce psychosis
during use, and can actually decrease psychotic symptoms, although
withdrawal from them can induce a state of hyperactivity that is
indistinguishable from psychosis. The withdrawal from barbiturates and
alcohol can be particularly dangerous, as not only is there a severe
impairment of reality testing with acting out on psychotic delusions,
there is also a possibly lethal effect upon the body. |
