Alcoholic Psychosis Symptoms

When we hear the word “psychosis” we might first think of mental illness. In fact, psychotic disorder is a severe class of mental health disorders such as schizophrenia. 

Although rare, it is possible for someone with a chronic alcohol use disorder to experience psychotic symptoms. Here we will explore the condition called alcoholic psychosis, and see how it differs from psychotic disorder.

What is Alcohol Hallucinosis?

Alcohol hallucinosis is an alcohol-induced form of psychosis. The terms alcoholic psychosis and alcohol hallucinosis are interchangeable. Both terms denote a condition related to alcohol intoxication or withdrawal from it, where a person experiences symptoms of psychosis. The symptoms of psychosis can also occur in those who have a history of severe alcohol use disorder, or who engage in binge drinking.

At present, there is no known cause for the development of alcohol-induced psychosis. It is thought to be due to the affect of alcohol on neurotransmitters, such as serotonin and dopamine. It is considered a rare condition, affecting about 4% of those with severe alcohol use disorder. Among those with alcohol-induced psychosis there is a 5%-30% risk of acquiring a chronic schizophrenia-like syndrome later.

A study out of South Africa noted several findings about this condition. In the alcoholic subjects, the onset of alcoholism was between the ages of 21-29. The average age of the onset of alcoholic psychosis was age 35. It was also noted that a higher number of Caucasian men were diagnosed with the condition, versus non-Caucasian men.

Alcoholic Hallucinosis vs. Psychotic Disorders

Although those with alcoholic psychosis experience hallucinations or delusions, it is not the same as psychotic disorder. Psychotic disorder is a severe form of mental illness. Examples of psychotic disorders include schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and brief psychotic disorder.

The main distinction is that psychotic disorders are forms of mental illness that do not originate with alcoholism. One way to distinguish alcoholic psychosis from psychotic disorder is through drug trials. Someone with alcoholic psychosis will not respond to anti-psychotic drug therapy.

Can Alcoholism Cause Schizophrenia?

Again, because schizophrenia is a type of psychotic disorder, or a mental illness, it cannot be caused by alcohol abuse or addiction. However, alcohol abuse can trigger alcoholic psychosis, which features many of the same symptoms of schizophrenia.

There is, however, a strong link between those who suffer from schizophrenia going on to develop alcohol use disorder. Studies show that these individuals are three times more likely to become alcoholics.

Symptoms of Alcohol-Induced Psychosis

Symptoms of alcohol-induced psychosis are associated solely with the use of alcohol, and not related to a mental illness. For this reason, it is called a secondary psychosis, secondary to the alcohol use disorder. 

Alcoholic psychosis may surface while the person is acutely intoxicated, or it may emerge as a withdrawal symptom later in the form of delirium tremens.

To qualify as alcoholic psychosis, the symptoms must persist for a minimum of 48 hours after onset. Some cases of alcohol-induced psychosis have lasted up to six months in duration.

Symptoms of alcoholic psychosis include:

• Visual hallucinations, or seeing things or people that are not really there.
• Auditory hallucinations, or hearing things or voices that are not real.
• Severe disorientation.
• Delusions, or false beliefs about reality.
• Confused or jumbled speech.
• Paranoid thoughts.
• Violent or aggressive outbursts.
• Suicidal actions or thoughts.

When someone is in the midst of experiencing symptoms of alcoholic psychosis, they will not be able to seek help. Therefore, if someone you care about is displaying these symptoms, you can assist them in obtaining the help they need.