What Is Alcohol-Induced Psychosis?

Alcohol-induced psychosis can occur can not only affect the person drinking, but those around them.

As a mental health disorder, alcohol-induced psychosis can lead to hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms that impair a person’s ability to distinguish reality from fantasy. Recognizing, understanding, and treating psychosis is critical for those affected and their families.

If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol abuse, Nashville Treatment Solutions offers alcohol detox and alcohol rehab in Nashville, TN.

What Is Alcohol-Induced Psychosis?

Alcohol-induced psychosis, also referred to as alcoholic psychosis or alcoholic-induced psychotic disorder is a severe mental health disorder that arises from excessive alcohol consumption, typically after years of heavy drinking but, in some cases, after binge drinking episodes.

Unlike other forms of psychosis, which may stem from chronic mental health conditions, alcohol-induced psychosis directly results from the neurochemical changes alcohol inflicts on the brain. When a person suffers from this form of psychosis, they may experience a complete break from reality, impacting their daily functioning, safety, and relationships. The qualify as alcohol-induced psychosis symptoms must be present for a minimum of 48 hours.

Furthermore, while alcohol-induced psychosis can happen after a heavy drinking episode, other studies show that symptoms may not appear for up to two weeks.

According to Alcohol & Alcoholism, 4% of people who develop alcohol use disorder will experience alcohol psychosis.

Types of Alcohol-Induced Psychosis

There are three main types of alcohol-induced psychosis:

1. Chronic Alcoholic Hallucinosis (Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome): Often seen in long-term alcoholics, Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome combines the symptoms of psychosis with severe memory issues, confusion, and disorientation, resulting from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency caused by alcohol misuse.Those who are experiencing this type of psychosis likely experience auditory hallucinations including auditory and visual hallucinations. Unlike other forms, these hallucinations often occur while the person is awake and aware of their surroundings. Alcoholic hallucinosis can later mimic signs of Schizophrenia and last indefinitely. Over time, this type of psychosis can lead to brain damage.
2. Alcoholic Delirium Tremens (DTs): This is the most severe form of alcohol withdrawal syndrome. Delirium tremens or “alcohol tremors,” typically occur within 48 to 72 hours after the last drink when someone stops drinking. Symptoms include intense shaking, confusion, vivid hallucinations, and, in severe cases, seizures.
3. Acute Alcohol Intoxication: This is the most uncommon form of alcohol-induced psychosis, often resulting after someone drinks an excessive amount of alcohol. Most individuals will become unconscious before psychotic symptoms appear.

Signs and Symptoms of Alcohol-Induced Psychosis

Symptoms of alcohol-induced psychosis can vary, but they generally include intense hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia. Here are some of the most common signs:

• Hallucinations: Individuals may see, hear, or feel things that are not there, leading to confusion and fear.
• Delusions: Those experiencing this condition may hold firmly to beliefs that aren’t based on reality, often involving paranoia or feelings of being persecuted.
• Paranoia: Alcohol-induced psychosis often brings about a heightened sense of distrust toward others.
• Disorientation and Confusion: Those affected may have trouble understanding where they are, who they are with, and what’s happening around them.
• Agitation and Aggressiveness: Psychosis can lead to erratic and aggressive behavior, endangering both the individual and others.

These symptoms are particularly dangerous as they impair judgment and can lead to harmful behaviors or risky decisions. Anybody that is showing signs of alcohol psychosis needs immediate attention from a medical professional. With professional help and alcohol detox, individuals can recover from the dangers of psychosis.

Dangers of Alcohol-Induced Psychosis

The dangers of alcohol-induced psychosis are significant, affecting both physical and mental health, as well as personal safety. Here are the primary risks associated with this condition:

• Impaired Judgment and Dangerous Behaviors: Alcohol-induced psychosis often leads to a distorted sense of reality, making individuals more likely to engage in risky or impulsive behaviors. This impaired judgment can result in accidents, injuries, or confrontations with others, potentially leading to harm to themselves or those around them.
• Self-Harm or Violence: Hallucinations and delusions in alcohol-induced psychosis can make a person believe that they or others are in danger, leading to aggressive actions or self-harm. Paranoia, especially, can cause a person to act defensively or with hostility, even toward family members or friends.
• Physical Health Risks: Severe cases of alcohol-induced psychosis, like delirium tremens (DTs), can cause intense physiological stress, including tremors, sweating, elevated heart rate, and seizures. Without immediate medical attention, DTs can be fatal, making emergency care essential for individuals experiencing acute symptoms.
• Permanent Cognitive and Memory Impairment: Chronic alcoholic psychosis, particularly in conditions like Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, can lead to irreversible memory loss and cognitive dysfunction. These symptoms stem from thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency due to heavy drinking, which damages brain regions related to memory and learning.
• Increased Risk of Long-Term Mental Health Disorders: Alcohol-induced psychosis doesn’t just end with sobriety; repeated episodes of psychosis may increase the likelihood of developing permanent mental health disorders, including anxiety, depression, or persistent psychotic disorders, making early intervention crucial.
• Social and Occupational Consequences: The unpredictability and volatility associated with psychotic episodes can strain relationships, disrupt employment, and lead to social isolation. Over time, these consequences can worsen an individual’s mental health and increase their reliance on alcohol, trapping them in a dangerous cycle of addiction and mental illness.

Addressing psychosis promptly with medical treatment and mental health support is essential to avoid these potentially life-threatening consequences and promote long-term recovery and well-being.

What Causes Alcohol-Induced Psychosis?

Alcohol-induced psychosis arises when chronic alcohol abuse alters the brain’s chemistry.

Long-term, heavy drinking depletes vital neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, disrupting mental stability. Additionally, during withdrawal, the brain can undergo a state of heightened excitability that leads to psychosis, known as alcohol withdrawal psychosis or delirium tremens. Genetic factors, history of mental illness, and environmental stressors also contribute to the risk of developing this condition.

Treatment Options for Alcohol Use Disorder

Treating psychosis requires a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to address both the physical and psychological effects of alcohol dependency.

Primary treatment options available include:

• Detox: The first step in treating alcohol abuse is a medically supervised detox. Detox programs help individuals safely withdraw from alcohol, often with the aid of medication to manage symptoms and prevent severe complications like seizures or delirium tremens.
• Psychiatry: Psychiatry plays a crucial role in treating alcohol-induced psychosis. Psychiatrists assess the individual’s mental health status and prescribe medications as needed to manage symptoms of psychosis, such as antipsychotics for hallucinations and delusions, as well as mood stabilizers.
• Inpatient Rehab: Inpatient rehab creates a structured environment where individuals receive intensive, 24/7 care for their addiction, mental health, and dual diagnosis disorders. This immersive approach provides therapy, medication management, and support in a controlled setting, reducing distractions and allowing individuals to focus entirely on recovery.
• Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP): A PHP offers a step-down from residential care, allowing individuals to attend treatment for several hours each day while returning home or to sober living at night.
• Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP): IOPs offer a flexible yet structured level of care for individuals who no longer require daily supervision. In an IOP, individuals participate in therapy sessions several times a week while still managing work, school, or home responsibilities.

More: Am I An Alcoholic? Take The Quiz

Begin Rehab in Nashville, Tennessee Today

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcohol-induced psychosis, know that help is available. Early intervention and comprehensive treatment can make all the difference in finding long-term recovery. Nashville Treatment Solutions offers comprehensive mental health and addiction treatment programming in Nashville, Tennessee. Call us now at 615-234-9425 or verify your insurance now.