It seems to be beneficial to make a better differentiation of psychotic states, related to the use of addictive substances. It is of ten a problem to distinguish those clinical pictures from primary disorders, which may be of a great importance from the view of further follow-up and treatment. The authors provide not only literature overview of this issue, but also present their own approach, which is based on and is demonstrated by an analysis of a sample of patients, treated at the Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital in Bratislava between 1999 – 2001. The results indicate that there are possibilities to differentiate these states. Individual psychotic cases can be classified within a framework and some can be differentiated according to certain basic characteristics. The authors point out certain important differentiating diagnostic features, which may be useful for a better clinical orientation. In connection with an expansion of the abuse of stimulating substances, the authors consider as necessary to deal with this issue also from the view of specific conditions of our country.

Key words: toxic psychosis – clinical orientation – diagnostic features