Alcoholic Hallucinosis: Do Alcoholics Hallucinate?

Alcohol abuse can lead to hallucinations in some cases. Alcoholic hallucinosis, or alcohol hallucinosis, is an uncommon but serious psychotic disorder caused by alcoholism. These hallucinations are usually experienced during or after heavy alcohol consumption.

Case series on this health condition show a person will hear or see imaginary sounds and sights under alcoholic hallucinosis. There are ways to tell if you or a loved one is experiencing hallucinations. Early detection of alcohol abuse increases the chances of recovery.

Signs And Symptoms Of Alcoholic Hallucinosis

Auditory hallucinations are a common symptom of alcohol hallucinations. One may hear something that isn’t actually there. Other case reports list delusions and visual hallucinations as symptoms.

People may experience sudden mood disturbances without other alcohol withdrawal symptoms. This is also known as a clear-consciousness symptom.

In long-lasting cases, a person may be misdiagnosed with schizophrenia. The two conditions share several symptoms, especially hallucinations and delusions. However, the causes of schizophrenia are still unknown, while alcoholic hallucinosis is a well-known result of alcohol abuse.

If you know someone who drinks heavily and claims to hear or see abnormalities that you don’t, this may be a sign of alcohol hallucinosis.

Causes Of Alcoholic Hallucinosis

As its name suggests, alcoholic hallucinosis is seen in alcoholics (those with alcohol use disorder). Heavy alcohol consumption increases a person’s risk of alcoholism and all of the problems that come with it.

Alcohol hallucinosis can happen during a heavy drinking session or during alcohol withdrawal. The longer a person struggles with alcohol abuse, the more likely they are to suffer serious health effects. The same is true for people who drink heavily.

Long-Term Alcohol Abuse

If a person abuses alcohol for a long time, their body will become used to having alcohol in its system. Alcohol is a depressant that slows brain activity, floods the brain with dopamine, and offers a sedation effect.

The brain will respond by producing chemicals (excess dopamine), and this new balance will become “normal” brain chemistry over time.

Long-term drinkers may struggle with physical and emotional alcohol dependence. They may feel a craving for alcohol when they are not drinking. The longer this goes on, the more severe the eventual withdrawal symptoms will be.

Alcohol hallucinosis is one of the most severe symptoms of withdrawal. It is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as irritability and nausea.

Alcohol Use Disorder (Alcoholism)

Alcohol Use Disorder, or AUD, is characterized by a dependence on alcohol. People with AUD may drink often and in large amounts. They may also feel at a loss if they are not drinking.

Alcoholism and alcohol dependence are severe versions of AUD. Alcoholic hallucinosis is a potential side effect of alcoholism, which means that those with AUD have a higher chance to hallucinate.

Alcohol Withdrawal

If a person’s tolerance for alcohol is high, they may experience withdrawal symptoms once the alcohol wears off. In severe cases, they may have auditory or visual hallucinations.

Other symptoms of alcohol withdrawal include:

• trouble sleeping
• nausea
• sweating
• irritability
• fever
• seizures

Together, these symptoms are signs of alcohol withdrawal syndrome.

Who Is At Risk For Alcoholic Hallucinosis Or Alcoholic Psychosis?

Alcohol is one of the most common targets for substance abuse in the United States. Long-term alcohol abuse can lead to a decline in mental health. Hallucinosis and psychosis are two of the most severe examples of this.

An alcoholic who is attempting to quit drinking may also experience severe withdrawal symptoms. It’s best to refer a recovering alcoholic to professional health care. Quitting alcohol cold turkey may cause more problems than it solves.

Alcoholic Hallucinosis VS. Delirium Tremens

Alcoholic hallucinosis and delirium tremens are both extreme conditions caused by alcohol abuse. They share common symptoms, such as disorientation.

However, delirium tremens has many physical symptoms separate from alcoholic hallucinosis. These symptoms may occur if an alcoholic’s body goes without alcohol for several days at a time.

Symptoms Of Delirium Tremens

Delirium tremens is a rare complication of chronic alcohol abuse. It’s a serious form of alcohol withdrawal. After a few days without drinking, the body will experience violent reactions.

Symptoms of delirium tremens (alcohol withdrawal delirium) include:

• disorientation
• loss of consciousness
• excessive sweating
• hallucinations
• hypertension

While hallucinations are a part of both alcoholic hallucinosis and delirium tremens, these serious physical symptoms are a clear sign of delirium tremens.

Alcohol Withdrawal Seizures

Seizures are another severe side effect of alcohol withdrawal. Since the body cannot readjust quickly to a lack of alcohol, the resulting imbalance may cause seizures. Sometimes, a person going through withdrawal may suffer through several seizures in a short time.

Alcoholic Hallucinosis Treatment Options

Treatment of alcohol hallucinosis varies. Options in psychiatry and therapy offer different methods of treating hallucinosis and other severe forms of alcoholism. Any or all of these options can help get your mental health back on track.

Medication

Antipsychotic medication, also known as neuroleptics, can effectively treat psychotic disorders like alcoholic hallucinosis. Other medications such as naltrexone (brand name Vivitrol) block receptors that contribute to alcohol dependence.

Many other benzodiazepines, such as diazepam (Valium), and opioids exist that treat either alcoholic hallucinosis or general alcoholism. Alcohol withdrawal in severe forms may be treated with barbiturate drugs.

Contact a treatment provider to start exploring the best treatment options for you and your loved ones.

Behavioral Therapy

Counseling and support groups can help you establish support networks. Behavioral therapy can increase motivation for quitting and inspire new coping skills. Emotional support and new healthy habits can go a long way in treating alcoholism and reducing hallucinations.

Intensive Treatment

If you or a loved one are struggling with severe alcohol abuse, intensive care may be necessary. Inpatient treatment may be required to treat serious withdrawal symptoms, delirium tremens, or alcoholic hallucinosis.

Inpatient programs may include:

• drug detox
• medication-assisted treatment plans
• therapy services
• prescribed medication
• follow-up care (aftercare)

Any or all of these treatment services can help a person recover in a safe environment.

Find Treatment For Alcohol Abuse Today

Alcohol abuse can be harmful to a person and the people around them. Hallucinations and alcohol dependence are signs of serious substance abuse.

If you or a loved one are struggling with alcohol or drug abuse and have serious symptoms, it’s time to get help.

We are part of a health network that offers treatment for substance use.

Our treatment programs include:

• individual treatment plans
• behavioral therapy
• inpatient and outpatient treatment programs
• drug and alcohol detox

Call AddictionResource.net to speak to one of our treatment specialists today. We’ll set you and your loved ones on the path to recovery.

Written by the Addiction Resource Editorial Staff