Substance-induced disorders are disorders that occur as a direct physiological consequence of AOD intoxication or withdrawal. For a diagnosis of a substance-induced disorder to be made, symptoms of the disorder must only be present following intoxication or withdrawal. If the person displays symptoms of the disorder in the absence of intoxication or withdrawal, it is possible they may have an independent mental disorder. It is crucial to note that not everyone with mental health symptoms who uses substances is experiencing a substance-induced disorder, and co-occurring AOD and mental disorders are not necessarily substance-induced. Symptoms of substance-induced disorders tend to reduce over time with a period of abstinence [35].
As described in Chapter A1, symptoms of mood, anxiety, and psychotic disorders may all be induced as a result of AOD use or withdrawal. For example, alcohol use and withdrawal can induce symptoms of depression or anxiety [33–35]; symptoms of mania can be induced by intoxication with stimulants, steroids, or hallucinogens; and psychotic symptoms can be induced by withdrawal from alcohol, or intoxication with alcohol, stimulants, cannabis, or hallucinogens [36–38]. Other disorders that may result from AOD use include substance-induced delirium, amnestic disorder, dementia, sexual dysfunction, and sleep disorder.