Characteristics of freebase cocaine psychosis.
Psychosis was present in 29 percent of cocaine-disordered patients hospitalized in 1985 during an epidemic of freebase cocaine abuse in the Bahamas. Record reviews revealed that a variety of psychotic phenomenologic patterns were present. Prior major mental disorders and increased dosage of cocaine were more common among psychotic than non-psychotic patients. Violent behavior was common among cocaine patients, especially those with psychosis. We conclude that freebase cocaine psychosis is neither rare nor benign.
Manschreck
T C
TC
Department of Psychiatry, Erich Lindemann Mental Health Center Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston.
Laughery
J A
JA
Weisstein
C C
CC
Allen
D
D
Humblestone
B
B
Neville
M
M
Podlewski
H
H
Mitra
N
N
D000328:Adult; D001444:Bahamas; D003042:Cocaine; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D003702:Delusions / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000150:complications*
D003042:Cocaine