Temporal association of psychotic and cognitive symptoms in an alcohol-induced psychosis case (eng)

Abstract

Alcohol use-related psychotic disorder is a complication of alcohol use disorder associated with heavy alcohol consumption for many years. It is usually seen after the age of 40 and is often accompanied by auditory hallucinations. Cognitive disorders are observed more frequently in these patients than in patients with uncomplicated alcohol use disorder. Findings from some studies suggest a relationship between alcohol use-related psychotic disorder and cognitive impairment. In this case report, a 56-year-old male patient in whom both psychotic and cognitive signs and symptoms improved at the same rate with antipsychotic treatment is presented. What was remarkable in our case was the simultaneous and almost complete recovery of the psychotic state and cognitive impairments observed during alcohol use and withdrawal periods. The simultaneous occurrence of psychotic symptoms and cognitive impairments and their recovery at the same time suggest that cognitive symptoms in alcohol-related psychosis are not related to alcohol use alone, but are directly related to accompanying psychotic symptoms and are temporary like psychotic symptoms. It can even be suggested that cognitive impairments may be included in the symptom list of psychotic disorder due to alcohol use. Follow-up studies on this subject will facilitate the understanding of the cognitive and neurobiological basis of alcohol use-related psychotic disorder. Informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report.

Keywords

• alcohol-induced psychotic disorder
• cognitive disorder
• alcoholic hallucinosis
• addiction
• alcohol dependence