Prospective assessment of transient cocaine-induced psychotic symptoms in a clinical setting

Cocaine use is associated with the occurrence of transient psychotic symptoms. Sixteen poly-substance abusers already in treatment, who were diagnosed with crack dependence, were assessed twice: at baseline and after 3 weeks of medical management specifically aimed at cocaine abstinence. The psychotic symptoms were assessed with the French version of the Scale for Assessment of Positive Symptoms-Cocaine-Induced Psychosis (SAPS-CIP). There was a decrease of both cocaine intake and psychotic symptoms at week 3 (Wilcoxon's Z, p < .001 and .028, respectively). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between psychotic symptoms and dose reduction (r(2) = .49, Spearman's ρ= .613, p < .012).