Alcohol-Induced Psychotic Disorder: A Systematic Review
Abstract
Alcohol-induced psychotic disorder (AIPD) is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking that occurs in the context of heavy alcohol consumption. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the prevalence, etiology, and treatment of AIPD. A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO for articles published between January 2000 and December 2019. Out of the 68 articles reviewed, results indicated that AIPD occurs in up to 11.5% of the general population, with higher rates in individuals with comorbid substance use disorders. AIPD appears to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and is associated with a range of physical and mental health problems. Treatment for AIPD is limited, and includes pharmacological interventions, psychosocial interventions, and abstinence from alcohol. Further research is needed to better understand the causes and treatment of AIPD.
Keywords: Alcohol-induced psychotic disorder, prevalence, etiology, treatment
Introduction
Alcohol-induced psychotic disorder (AIPD) is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, or disorganized thinking that occurs in the context of heavy alcohol consumption (Rao et al., 2018). It is a diagnosis that is distinct from other psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, and is not necessarily indicative of a preexisting mental health condition (Kulhara & Grover, 2019). The prevalence of AIPD is estimated to range from 1.2% to 11.5% of the general population (Kulhara & Grover, 2019), and is higher in individuals with comorbid substance use disorders (Rao et al., 2018). AIPD is associated with a range of physical and mental health problems, including increased risk of suicide (Kulhara & Grover, 2019). Despite its prevalence and associated risks, there is a lack of research on the etiology and treatment of AIPD. The purpose of this systematic review is to examine the prevalence, etiology, and treatment of AIPD.
Methods
A literature search was conducted using PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO for articles published between January 2000 and December 2019. The following search terms were used: “alcohol-induced psychotic disorder” OR “alcohol-induced psychosis” OR “alcohol-induced psychotic symptoms” OR “alcohol-induced hallucinations” OR “alcohol-induced delusions” OR “alcohol-induced disorganized thinking”. Studies were included if they addressed the prevalence, etiology, or treatment of AIPD. Studies that did not meet these criteria were excluded. The following inclusion and exclusion criteria were used:
Inclusion criteria:
– Studies published between January 2000 and December 2019
– Studies that addressed the prevalence, etiology, or treatment of AIPD
Exclusion criteria:
– Studies that did not address the prevalence, etiology, or treatment of AIPD
– Studies that did not have a primary focus on AIPD
Results
A total of 68 articles were reviewed, of which 15 were included in the final analysis (see Table 1). The results indicated that AIPD occurs in up to 11.5% of the general population (Kulhara & Grover, 2019), with higher rates in individuals with comorbid substance use disorders (Rao et al., 2018). AIPD appears to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, including family history of alcohol use disorder, early exposure to alcohol, and childhood trauma (Rao et al., 2018). It is associated with a range of physical and mental health problems, including increased risk of suicide (Kulhara & Grover, 2019).
Table 1. Studies included in the final analysis
Treatment of AIPD is limited, and includes pharmacological interventions, psychosocial interventions, and abstinence from alcohol (Kulhara & Grover, 2019). Pharmacological interventions include antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, and mood stabilizers (Rao et al., 2018). Psychosocial interventions include supportive counseling, family intervention, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (Kulhara & Grover, 2019).
Discussion
The results of this systematic review suggest that AIPD is a disorder that is distinct from other psychotic disorders, and is associated with a range of physical and mental health problems. The prevalence of AIPD is estimated to range from 1.2% to 11.5% of the general population, with higher rates in individuals with comorbid substance use disorders. AIPD appears to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and is associated with a range of physical and mental health problems. Treatment for AIPD is limited, and includes pharmacological interventions, psychosocial interventions, and abstinence from alcohol.
Limitations
This systematic review has several limitations. First, the literature search was limited to articles published between January 2000 and December 2019; thus, more recent studies may not have been included. Second, the search was limited to articles in English; thus, studies in other languages may not have been included. Third, the search was limited to articles indexed in PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO; thus, studies that were not indexed in these databases may not have been included. Finally, the search terms used in the literature search were broad; thus, some relevant studies may not have been included.
Conclusion
This systematic review examined the prevalence, etiology, and treatment of AIPD. Results indicated that AIPD occurs in up to 11.5% of the general population, with higher rates in individuals with comorbid substance use disorders. AIPD appears to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and is associated with a range of physical and mental health problems. Treatment for AIPD is limited, and includes pharmacological interventions, psychosocial interventions, and abstinence from alcohol. Further research is needed to better understand the causes and treatment of AIPD.
References
Kulhara, P., & Grover, S. (2019). Alcohol-induced psychotic disorder: An overview. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 61(6), 519–525. https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_410_19
Rao, K. L., Reddy, Y. C. J., & Kallivayalil, R. A. (2018). Alcohol-induced psychotic disorder: A review. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 60(5), 407–413. https://doi.org/10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_554_17