What is the first-line treatment for symptoms of acute stimulant-induced psychosis?

What is the first-line treatment for symptoms of acute stimulant-induced psychosis?

• A. Haloperidol
• B. Risperidone
• C. Benzodiazepines
• D. Quetiapine

Answer: (C)

Stimulant-induced psychosis mainly comes from excessive brain arousal and sympathetic activity. The quickest, safest way to calm this state is with a benzodiazepine, which enhances GABA activity to produce sedative and anxiolytic effects. This lowers agitation, paranoia, and perceptual disturbances, and also reduces the risk of seizures and cardiovascular stress from the stimulant. If symptoms persist after adequate benzodiazepine treatment, antipsychotics can be added to address the psychosis, but they are not the initial choice because benzodiazepines address the immediate hyperarousal more effectively and with fewer extrapyramidal risks.

Stimulant-induced psychosis mainly comes from excessive brain arousal and sympathetic activity. The quickest, safest way to calm this state is with a benzodiazepine, which enhances GABA activity to produce sedative and anxiolytic effects. This lowers agitation, paranoia, and perceptual disturbances, and also reduces the risk of seizures and cardiovascular stress from the stimulant. If symptoms persist after adequate benzodiazepine treatment, antipsychotics can be added to address the psychosis, but they are not the initial choice because benzodiazepines address the immediate hyperarousal more effectively and with fewer extrapyramidal risks.