Alcohol-induced Psychotic Disorder

Alcohol-induced psychotic disorder is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thought processes temporally associated with alcohol intoxication or withdrawal. Pathophysiology involves ethanol-induced neurotransmitter imbalance, particularly in dopaminergic and glutamatergic pathways. Clinically, patients present with auditory or visual hallucinations, paranoid delusions, agitation, and impaired reality testing. Diagnosis requires careful history of alcohol consumption, symptom temporal association, and exclusion of primary psychotic disorders. Management includes alcohol withdrawal management, short-term antipsychotic therapy, and psychosocial interventions. Prognosis is generally favorable with abstinence and appropriate treatment, although recurrent episodes increase risk of chronic psychotic sequelae.