What Is Alcohol-Related Psychosis?

 

Most people are aware of a medical condition known as alcoholism, or an addiction to alcohol. However, there aren't as many people who are aware of just how severely addicts suffer. In addition to the drastic and complicated effects of alcohol withdrawal, addicts can experience equally painful symptoms while still consuming alcohol. One of the most debilitating and misunderstood alcohol related medical conditions is called Alcohol Psychosis.

What is Alcohol Psychosis?

Alcohol Psychosis is a medical condition that affects long-time alcoholics. Most of the symptoms are neurological in nature and can severely harm a person's quality of life. In fact, the symptoms are so severe, the condition is often confused with schizophrenia, making diagnosis difficult. People who suffer from Alcohol Psychosis will endure relentless hallucinations or persistent delusions. In addition, sufferers may also experience other equally severe symptoms in conjunction with the hallucinations, such as paranoia and aggression.

Who is Affected? 

It is rare for anyone suffering from alcoholism to experience Alcohol Psychosis. Only 3% of the alcoholic population will experience psychosis due to their alcoholism. However, the vast majority of those who endure Alcohol Psychosis are alcoholics who have abused alcohol for a prolonged amount of time.

How is Alcohol Psychosis Diagnosed?

Although Alcohol Psychosis often closely mimics schizophrenia, there are a few important factors that can help differentiate the two conditions. Typically, symptoms of Alcohol Psychosis begin to manifest at a much later date in the sufferer's life than symptoms of schizophrenia do. Alcohol Psychosis only occurs after years of chronic alcohol abuse. In addition to this, those who suffer from Alcohol Psychosis will find that their symptoms significantly decrease as their alcohol consumption does. Although some people may experience an increase in symptoms as they go through withdrawal, they will often find symptoms completely disappear once the alcohol has finally dissipated from their systems.

Alcoholism drastically and negatively affects addicts in hundreds of unfortunate ways. Alcohol Psychosis is arguably the most serious potential complication on the list. Just as with alcoholism itself, however, there is hope for alcohol induced psychosis in the form of abstinence and recovery.

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