Alcohol Induced Psychosis

History and Symptoms

As with any form of psychosis, patients with alcohol-related psychosis may present a variety of symptoms.  However, the presence of notable hallucinations or delusions must be evident.  The psychosis is more extreme than what could probably be attributed to alcohol intoxication or withdrawal.

Appropriate attention should be paid to mental status, including flat affect or reacting to internal stimuli.  Additionally, a good physical exam needs to look for potential trauma or infectious causes of altered mental status. 

Psychosis is sometimes considered a break from reality because the cognitive and perceptual changes associated with certain psychotic illnesses may give rise to symptoms such as: 

• Seeing, hearing, or feeling things that aren’t there
• Unwarranted thoughts or persecutory beliefs

Other Symptoms of Psychosis may include: [2]

Approximately 3 out of every 100 people will encounter some form of psychosis in their lifetimes, with many first psychotic episodes appearing in their later teen years or early 20s. [4] Although the causes of psychosis are not fully understood, a combination of factors may probably add to its development; for example:

• Genetics (e.g., a positive family history of psychosis or psychotic disorders)
• Life Experiences
• Specific Chemical Imbalances in the Brain
• Alcohol or Drug Use may all be associated with the development of psychotic disorders

There are Three Types of Alcohol Induced Psychosis

I. Delirium Tremens (Alcohol Withdrawal) Psychosis

Delirium tremens psychosis occurs during alcohol withdrawal syndrome.  Individuals will start to experience delirium within 4 to 7 days of quitting alcohol consumption.  Moreover, symptoms of the condition will include:

Individuals with this condition need medical support, and a supervised program can help them comfortably detox.  Moreover, sedatives like benzodiazepines may also be advisable.

Above all, if you disregard delirium tremens psychosis, it can become life-threatening.

II. Alcohol Poisoning (Acute Intoxication) Psychosis

Alcohol poisoning psychosis is seldom called acute intoxication.  Intoxication occurs after an individual drink a considerable amount of alcohol.  Sometimes, symptoms can happen while the person is under intoxication.  Other times they happen when the body is free of alcohol.

People can undergo severe aggression or psychotic reactions for several hours.  Often, they won’t remember anything (amnesia) following the psychotic episode.

Other factors such as hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) or psychotropic drugs (e.g., stimulants) can double the risk of developing alcohol poisoning and alcohol poisoning psychosis.   

III. Chronic Alcohol Induced Psychosis

Alcoholic hallucinosis occurs after years of chronic alcohol abuse.  It shares some indications with delirium tremens psychosis.

For instance, Psychotic Symptoms can include:

Hallucinations are often auditory with alcoholic hallucinosis.  Mood disturbances are common as well.

The periods of psychoses last longer with alcoholics.  They may last hours, days, or weeks.  This makes alcoholic hallucinosis appear like paranoid schizophrenia.  However, there has been no evidence for the genetic connection between the two conditions.

Early Warning Signs of Alcohol Induced Psychosis

Warning Signs of the condition can appear either during or after alcohol consumption.

Some Warning Signs of Alcohol-Induced Psychosis may include:

• Difficulties Concentrating or thinking with a clear mind
• Self-care or Hygiene abruptly begins to decline
• Hearing or Seeing things that others don’t
• Intense, Aggressive Emotions or Outbursts

Alcohol Induced Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome

Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) refers to a thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency.  Excessive long-term alcohol consumption can cause a thiamine decline in your body.  This leads to brain damage and can provoke hallucinations and memory loss.  It can also harm your liver, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas.

Wernicke Encephalopathy is the Acute Version, and symptoms include:

Korsakoff Syndrome is the Chronic (long-lasting) Version, and symptoms include:

These conditions may manifest the same symptoms as alcohol-induced psychosis.  However, your mental abilities will proceed to worsen with Wicke-Korsakoff Syndrome.

Treatment for Alcohol Induced Psychosis

The priority is to stabilize the client paying close concentration to the airway, breathing, and vital signs.  If you require sedation due to alcohol-related psychosis, neuroleptics, such as haloperidol, have been the first-line medications for treatment.

Benzodiazepines, such as lorazepam, are also available for medication if there is a concern for alcohol withdrawal and seizures.  In addition, certain atypical antipsychotics, such as ziprasidone and olanzapine, have also been capable to help calm clients with acute psychosis.

Unfortunately, some patients may need the use of physical restraints to secure the patient as well as the staff.  Given that, patients with alcohol-related psychosis must also have an assessment for suicidality because the illness has a connection with higher suicidal behaviors.  [2] 

Alcohol Induced Psychosis Severe Cases

Generally, most cases of alcohol-related psychosis come to light when clients are admitted to the hospital and then develop withdrawal symptoms with or without delirium tremens.  The presence of alcohol-related psychosis usually means something severe and, if not treated immediately, can lead to adverse outcomes.  Therefore, healthcare workers should be familiar with this disorder and make suitable recommendations to specialists if they have such clients.

Besides psychosis, these clients have a much greater rate of anxiety, depression, and suicide.  In addition, the patients can be unpredictable and resort to violence.  Therefore, these patients need to be under monitoring with an interprofessional team of allied healthcare workers to lessen morbidity and death.

We Level Up NJ Alcoholism Treatment Center

To Best Customize Our Services To Your Needs, our programming includes:

Inpatient Alcohol Rehab & Comfortable Detox

Alcohol detox can be dangerous, mainly if you do it without the help of a professional.  Because delirium tremens and other withdrawal symptoms that may afflict the detoxing patient are hazardous and fatal.  Therefore, it is advisable to detox in a rehab center to access qualified professionals who can manage comfortable alcohol detox and withdrawal complexities.

If you or a loved one is dealing with an addiction to alcohol or other drugs, especially if you have experienced multiple relapses in the past, then look no further.  In addition, with an incredible success rate for long-term recovery, We Level Up NJ Treatment Center offers one of the most comprehensive addiction recovery programs available in The United States, bringing hope to families every day.

If you or someone you love is seeking safe, secure, and compassionate resources for alcohol-induced psychosis treatment, We Level Up NJ is here for you.  Call us and speak with an addiction counselor today about our levels of care.