Schizophrenia is a mental health condition involving hallucinations or delusions. Alcohol consumption cannot directly cause schizophrenia. However, some people may experience these symptoms due to alcohol-induced mental illness. Alcohol-induced psychotic disorder (AIPD) can occur when you drink too much or stop using excessive alcohol. A person who can control drinking is likely not to experience this form of mental illness again. This article describes the effects of alcoholism on psychosis and schizophrenia.
Can alcoholism cause schizophrenia?
Schizophrenia is a psychotic disorder involving hallucinations or delusions. Schizophrenia patients may experience thinking, behavior, and speech disorders. Schizophrenia affects roughly 1% of adults worldwide. Alcohol consumption cannot directly cause schizophrenia. However, some forms of alcohol use can lead to AIPD, a condition known as alcohol-related psychosis or alcohol hallucination. Acute alcoholism, alcohol withdrawal, and prolonged alcohol abuse can lead to alcohol-induced psychosis. However, complications of alcohol use are known to be relatively rare.
Studies have shown that people with schizophrenia are about three times more likely to develop alcohol use disorder (AUD) than those who do not. There are several possible reasons for this.
Self-treatment: Some people with schizophrenia can use alcohol to alleviate symptoms or side effects of prescribed drugs.
Socioeconomic Reasons: Studies show that schizophrenia is associated with factors that can increase alcohol consumption, such as poverty, cognitive problems, and social dysfunction.
Inheritance or trauma: Damage or some problems in the brain tend to develop some people into schizophrenia and AUD.
symptoms of alcoholism
1. Symptoms of mental illness caused by alcohol
AIPD refers to mental illness that occurs as a result of alcohol consumption. According to a study conducted in 2022, symptoms of AIPD occur during or immediately after excessive alcohol intake, including:
· a hallucination
· delusion
· a paranoia
· Fear
· symptoms of schizophrenia
2. Symptoms of schizophrenia
The Diagnostic and Statistical Handbook of Mental Disorders, Edition 5 (DSM-5) states that a person experiences schizophrenia if he or she experiences two or more of the following symptoms for at least one month.
· delusion
· a hallucination
· a confusing conversation
· a very confusing act
· a negative mood
At least one of these symptoms should include delusions, hallucinations, or incomprehensible speech and behavior. There are several important differences between schizophrenia and AIPD. People with AIPD have more symptoms of anxiety or depression than people with schizophrenia. Conversely, people with schizophrenia tend to have more pronounced symptoms of confusion than people with AIPD.
the cause of alcoholism
Scientists have not been able to clarify how AIPD occurs. According to a study in 2022, some scientists consider changes in dopamine activity as an important factor, while others claim to be affected by serotonin activity. Another theory is that abnormal amino acids can alter the activity of neurotransmitters in the brain, causing hallucinations.
How to treat alcoholism
Treatment should begin immediately after diagnosis of AIPD. Medical experts stress that alcohol consumption should first check whether it caused life-threatening physiological changes and then respond accordingly. Acute alcoholism has been reported to cause several serious complications.
· hepatic inflammation
· For people with liver failure and chronic liver disease
· an irregular or abnormal heartbeat
· a heart attack
· heart failure
· a stroke
If an individual tends to be aggressive or violent, a sedative may be needed. Doctors can provide it using drugs such as benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, or mixtures of the two. Dosage may vary, but the use of these drugs may continue in the medium to long term. Scientists regard abstinence as an essential component of a treatment plan. There are several treatment options for people with AUD.