Psychotic symptoms (hallucinations not recognized by the individual as substance-induced, or delusions) justify this diagnosis if they occur within a month after substance  intoxication or withdrawal, or as a result of medication that caused the symptoms. However, the diagnosis is not made if the symptoms occurred before the substance or medication was ingested, or are more severe than could be reasonably caused by the amount of substance involved. If the disorder persists for more than a month after the withdrawal of the substance, the diagnosis becomes increasingly questionable, and a diagnosis of Schizophrenia, or the existence of a medical condition, becomes more plausible. Many medications and drugs of abuse, including alcohol, can cause psychotic symptoms upon intoxication and/or withdrawal.

Treatment involves relieving the intoxicated condition under careful medical observation to control withdrawal symptoms, or medical management of a continuing withdrawal process or, if the condition was produced by the effects of a medication, withdrawal of the medication or reduction of the dose under close medical supervision. If these treatments are not successful, the diagnosis likely changes to primary psychosis.

                                                                                                                                Last updated  12/19/03