40% of Canadians 15 years of age or older drink six or more alcoholic beverages weekly. That amount exceeds the CCSA’s recommended two alcoholic beverages per week. Drinking excess amounts of alcohol comes with short-term and long-term risks. A lesser-known symptom of long-term heavy drinking is alcohol-induced psychosis. Alcohol-induced psychosis features psychotic-like symptoms when someone drinks heavily. Symptoms mimic those of severe mental health disorders like schizophrenia. The good news is that this symptom is reversible in most cases. Getting treatment for alcohol use disorder can eliminate these symptoms in heavy drinkers. Learn more about alcohol-induced psychosis symptoms, prevention, and treatment in this guide.
Overview of Alcohol-Induced Psychosis
Alcohol-induced psychosis is a symptom of alcohol abuse. It may be a symptom of a long-term alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, this is not always the case, more on this in a moment.
Some people may suffer from an AUD if they consume excessive alcohol. Others may consume moderate amounts of alcohol but drink daily. Other signs of an AUD include:
- Trying to cut back on or quit drinking but failing to do so
- Experiencing withdrawals after quitting drinking
- Having intense cravings for alcohol
- Getting injured after drinking excessively
- Needing more and more alcohol to feel its effects
- Experiencing negative consequences due to drinking but continuing to drink anyway
AUDs can lead to significant physical and mental side effects when left untreated. Psychosis is one of the more severe symptoms someone with an AUD can experience.
Alcohol-Induced Psychosis Symptoms
Alcohol-induced psychosis features severe psychiatric disturbances. These disturbances are similar to the symptoms of other psychotic disorders.
The primary symptoms of this condition are hallucinations and delusions. Hallucinations are false perceptions of something that is not real. Hallucinations can be visual or auditory or involve smell, taste, and touch.
Delusions are similar. They are false beliefs that something is happening when, in reality, it isn’t.
Hallucinations may feature delusions. However, some people know their hallucinations are not real.
Additional symptoms of alcohol-induced psychosis may include confusion, fear, and anxiety. Some people may experience symptoms that are similar to schizophrenia.
Schizophrenia and alcohol-related psychotic symptoms are distinct conditions. Still, they both feature delusions and hallucinations. Some alcoholics also experience schizophrenia-like disorganized speech and behaviour and low mood.
Types of Alcohol-Induced Psychosis
Mental health professionals aren’t sure why alcohol leads to psychotic symptoms. We need more research to uncover the truth. In the meantime, we know that these symptoms can manifest in various ways.
Keep reading to learn about the four most common types of psychotic symptoms from alcohol abuse.
Alcohol Withdrawal Psychosis/Delirium Tremens
Alcohol withdrawal psychosis is also known as alcohol withdrawal delirium (AWD). AWD is more commonly known as delirium tremens (DT). People experience DT as a severe symptom of alcohol withdrawal.
Some of the most common symptoms of DT are hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. About 5% of people in withdrawal from alcohol experience DT. Their symptoms typically last for 2–3 days.
DT symptoms are not usually permanent. However, they can lead to deadly complications without alcoholic paranoia treatment. Stroke, heart attack, and death are possible in people who do not receive treatment.
Acute Alcohol Intoxication
Binge drinking is known to trigger psychotic symptoms in some people. It doesn’t matter how long the person has been drinking. Anyone can experience acute alcohol psychosis after one session of excessive drinking.
However, this type of alcohol-induced psychosis is relatively rare. People experiencing symptoms of acute alcohol psychosis may require sedation. Drugs like Ziprasidone and olanzapine can help.
Alcoholic Hallucinations
Alcohol hallucinations are also known as alcoholic hallucinosis. This symptom shows up in people who chronically abuse alcohol. As its name suggests, this rare condition features hallucinations as a primary symptom.
Auditory hallucinations are the primary type of hallucination in this condition. However, other types of hallucinations are also possible (e.g., visual or tactile). Some people also experience erratic moods and delusions.
Sadly, alcoholic hallucinosis may become permanent if left untreated. At that point, quitting drinking may not be enough to reverse the symptoms.
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome results from a long-term vitamin B1 deficiency. It commonly occurs in people with AUDs. However, people with poor diets and those undergoing chemotherapy also experience it.
An early sign of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is encephalopathy. Memory loss, reduced cognition, difficulty concentrating, and drowsiness are symptoms of encephalopathy.
Other early symptoms of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome include:
- Feeling confused
- Visual disturbances
- Hypothermia
- Coma
- Low blood pressure
- Ataxia
The development of psychotic symptoms is a sign of chronic Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. At this point, symptoms may not be reversible.
Nutrition and hydration may help. However, these treatments can’t reverse the brain damage that can cause these symptoms.
Can Alcohol Cause Psychosis?
Yes, alcohol can cause psychosis. Alcohol can cause psychosis after a single session of binge drinking or long-term alcohol abuse. Yet, many people may not realize this is a possibility.
Most people think that because alcohol is legal, it is not dangerous. This common misconception is simply not true. Drinking even small amounts of alcohol can harm someone’s health.
Alcohol can cause psychotic symptoms after binge drinking, quitting drinking, or chronic drinking. Some symptoms may dissipate with treatment. Others are more permanent.
Additionally, alcohol can cause schizophrenia symptoms to emerge earlier. However, this only applies to people who are genetically predisposed to schizophrenia. Importantly, alcohol does not cause schizophrenia directly.
Is Alcohol-Induced Psychosis Dangerous?
Yes, alcohol-induced psychosis can be dangerous to the self and others. This danger is especially apparent when someone does not get treatment.
This condition is dangerous to the self in a few ways. First of all, excessive alcohol use can lead to brain damage. Brain damage is the underlying cause of psychosis Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.
Secondly, psychotic symptoms can make people more likely to get injured during an episode. For example, people suffering from these symptoms are at a higher risk of suicide.
Those who experience psychotic episodes are not always aggressive people. However, their hallucinations and paranoia may make them prone to violence.
For example, someone experiencing psychosis might believe someone is trying to harm them. Then, they may hurt that person in supposed self-defence.
Who Suffers from Alcohol-Induced Psychosis?
People with long-term AUDs can suffer from alcohol-induced psychosis. Around 4% of people with an AUD suffer from this severe symptom. That equates to about 0.4% of the general population.
Working-age men are at the highest risk. Psychotic symptoms from alcohol addiction are also more common in the following groups:
- People who became addicted to alcohol at a young age
- People with low socioeconomic backgrounds
- Unemployed people
- People who live alone
- People whose fathers had an AUD
- People with co-occurring mental health disorders
Certain behaviours can predispose people to different types of alcohol-induced psychosis. For example, people who binge drink to the point of alcohol poisoning may be more likely to experience acute alcohol psychosis.
People with AUDs who quit drinking are at risk for DT. DT symptoms may begin 2–3 days after someone’s last drink. Then, the symptoms last anywhere from two days to up to a week.
Alcoholic hallucinosis is extremely rare. It only occurs in about 0.6–0.7% of people with AUDs. A severe alcohol problem is one of the risk factors for this condition.
Those who abuse alcohol in the long term are at a higher risk of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome. Alcohol abuse can damage the digestive system. The result is that the body can also no longer absorb vitamin B1.
How Long Does Alcohol-Induced Psychosis Last?
Alcohol-induced psychosis can last a few hours, a few days, or forever. Studies show that once someone starts suffering from alcohol-induced psychosis, there is a 68% chance that they will re-experience those symptoms.
There is also a significant risk that alcohol-related psychosis will become permanent. The risk is higher for people who do not receive treatment. 5–30% of people who experience these symptoms never recover.
The exact amount of time symptoms last depends on the type of alcohol-induced psychosis. For example, DT symptoms end when the person is no longer in withdrawal. That is, as long as the person receives treatment.
Acute alcohol psychosis lasts for the shortest period. The person should no longer experience symptoms after their body eliminates the alcohol. The body can eliminate alcohol from someone’s system in around 24 hours.
A 2012 study investigated the prevalence of alcohol-induced hallucinations. Researchers studied 52 recovering alcoholics with alcoholic hallucinosis diagnoses. They found that 13.5% of them continued to experience symptoms after three years of sobriety.
Alcohol-related Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome has a very poor prognosis. Studies have investigated the mortality rate in people with this condition. Sadly, as many as 50% of patients die within eight years of their first Wernicke-Korsakoff episode.
How to Prevent Alcohol-Induced Psychosis
The best way to prevent alcohol-induced psychosis is to abstain from alcohol. People can also try drinking in moderation. Binge drinking and long-term drinking should be avoided at all costs.
What about people with an AUD diagnosis? It is better to stop drinking now before these symptoms arise. Once they do arise, psychotic symptoms do not always go away when you quit drinking.
Unfortunately, quitting alcohol will not always eliminate these symptoms. At the same time, delaying treatment can make symptoms even worse. It is critical to seek treatment now if you or someone you love has psychosis due to alcohol use.
Alcohol-Induced Psychosis Treatment
The best treatment for alcohol-related psychotic symptoms depends on the type of condition. Below, we discuss the most effective treatments for every kind of alcohol-induced psychosis.
Alcohol Withdrawal Psychosis/Delirium Tremens Treatment
Medication can help treat alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including DT. Benzodiazepines are typically used to alleviate DT. However, patients must receive a higher dose.
Patients must undergo this treatment under full-time medical supervision. An inpatient programme is ideal for treating DT and other alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Learn more about our facility at this link.
Acute Alcohol Psychosis Treatment
The best treatment for acute alcohol psychosis is detox from alcohol. Those with no alcohol use disorder may be able to detox by themselves. People with AUDs who experience severe withdrawal symptoms benefit more from inpatient care.
Inpatient programmes offer detox and withdrawal services. Patients can detox in a private and supportive environment. They can also access medications to make the process safer and more comfortable.
Alcoholic Hallucinosis Treatment
Avoiding binge drinking sessions is the best way to avoid experiencing alcoholic hallucinosis. However, when symptoms do arise, benzodiazepines can help alleviate some of the symptoms.
Patients can receive benzodiazepines as part of an alcohol inpatient program. Some outpatient programmes also offer medication management. Medication management is especially helpful for people experiencing psychotic symptoms.
Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome Treatment
People with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome require two types of treatments. The first is for the Wernicke-Korsakoff symptoms. The second is for the underlying alcohol use disorder.
The gold standard treatment for Wernicke-Korsakoff is vitamin B1 replacement therapy. Professionals also recommend dietary changes to ensure patients receive adequate nutrition.
Treatment for AUDs can be more complex. Patients who experience Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome typically require more intensive treatment. A medical detox programme followed by inpatient therapy is the best strategy.
Get Help for Alcohol-Related Psychotic Symptoms in Ontario
Alcohol-induced psychosis is a frightening symptom of alcohol abuse. It can occur after a single night of binge drinking. Or it can be a symptom of chronic alcohol abuse.
No matter how these symptoms arise, getting help before they get worse is crucial. Treatment centers offer detox and recovery programmes for that very reason.
Are you or a loved one experiencing alcohol paranoia or another sign of alcohol-induced psychosis? If so, Simcoe can help. Contact us today to learn about our treatments for alcohol use disorders.