Alcoholic hallucinosis
An alcohol-induced psychotic disorder with auditory and visual hallucinations.
Alcoholic hallucinosis is a complication of alcohol misuse in people with alcohol use disorder, occurring during acute intoxication or withdrawal. It is an uncommon alcohol-induced psychotic disorder almost exclusively seen in chronic alcoholics with many consecutive years of severe drinking. The condition involves auditory and visual hallucinations, most commonly accusatory or threatening voices, and develops about 12 to 24 hours after heavy drinking stops suddenly.
Quick Facts
- Treatment
- benzodiazepines
Facts from the source article.
Alcoholic hallucinosis vs. delirium tremens
Both alcoholic hallucinosis and delirium tremens have been considered different manifestations of the same physiological process during alcohol withdrawal. Alcoholic hallucinosis is a much less serious diagnosis than delirium tremens. Delirium tremens do not appear suddenly, taking approximately 48 to 72 hours to appear after heavy drinking stops, and involve hand tremors, possible head and body tremor, and severe uncoordination. Untreated delirium tremens can be fatal, whereas alcoholic hallucinosis has a much better prognosis.
Treatment
Alcohol abusers with withdrawal symptoms such as alcoholic hallucinosis often have deficiencies of several vitamins and minerals, and nutritional supplements may help the body cope with withdrawal. Long-term abuse can cause deficiencies of thiamine, magnesium, zinc, folate, and phosphate, as well as low blood sugar. Several drugs can stop the hallucinations; neuroleptics and benzodiazepines have shown normalization. Common benzodiazepines include chlordiazepoxide and lorazepam. Management combining abstinence from alcohol with neuroleptics has been effective. Diazepam and chlordiazepoxide are also effective in treating withdrawal symptoms, making alcoholic hallucinosis less likely to occur.
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