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Acute Alcoholic Hallucinosis: A Review
Valentin Yurievich Skryabin1,2, Giovanni Martinotti3,4, Johan Franck5
1Clinical Branch, Moscow Research and Practical Centre on Addictions of the Moscow Department of Healthcare, Moscow, Russian Federation.
Psychopathology
|January 19, 2023
Summary
Acute alcoholic hallucinosis, a psychotic disorder, often occurs during alcohol withdrawal. This review synthesizes current knowledge on its history, causes, symptoms, and treatments for better understanding and management.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Neuroscience
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Acute alcoholic hallucinosis is a significant alcohol-related psychosis, second only to alcohol delirium.
- It is characterized by auditory hallucinations, delusions, and affective symptoms.
- Classically, it develops during alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize existing scientific data on acute alcoholic hallucinosis.
- To consolidate information regarding its history, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was conducted across major scientific databases: PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and eLibrary.
- Search terms included various combinations of "alcoholic hallucinosis," "alcoholic psychosis," and "alcohol withdrawal syndrome," excluding animal studies.
- Relevant studies were selected and their findings systematized.
Main Results:
- The review successfully systematized and summarized key information on the history, pathogenesis, clinical features, and treatment of acute alcoholic hallucinosis.
- Identified trends and established knowledge regarding this specific alcohol-induced psychotic disorder.
Conclusions:
- This review provides a consolidated overview of current scientific understanding of acute alcoholic hallucinosis.
- Limitations include the heterogeneity and small cohort sizes of the reviewed studies, highlighting a need for further research.
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