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Self-induced water intoxication and alcohol abuse
T L Ripley1, R C Millson, A B Koczapski
1Riverview Hospital, Port Coquitlam, B.C., Canada.
The American Journal of Psychiatry
|January 1, 1989
Summary
Alcohol abuse is more common in male schizophrenic patients who experience self-induced water intoxication. This alcohol abuse often begins years before the water intoxication diagnosis in schizophrenia patients.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Addiction Medicine
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Self-induced water intoxication is a rare but serious condition.
- Alcohol abuse is a common comorbidity in schizophrenia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of alcohol abuse in male schizophrenic inpatients with self-induced water intoxication.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study comparing 17 male schizophrenic inpatients with self-induced water intoxication to 17 matched schizophrenic controls.
- Diagnosis of alcohol abuse and water intoxication based on Feighner criteria.
Main Results:
- Alcohol abuse was significantly more prevalent in the group with self-induced water intoxication.
- Alcohol abuse onset ranged from 8 to 22 years prior to water intoxication diagnosis.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol abuse is a significant risk factor for developing self-induced water intoxication in male schizophrenic patients.
- Early identification and intervention for alcohol abuse may be crucial in managing schizophrenia patients at risk for water intoxication.