Abstract
Hallucinations commonly occur during the course of prolonged alcohol intoxication and withdrawal. As noted by Alpert (1970), theories regarding the etiology of this phenomenon usually distinguish those hallucinatory episodes which demonstrate a latent schizophrenia unmasked by alcohol from those perceptual sequelae secondary to the physiologically hyperexcitable state of withdrawal. On retrospective questionnaires (Alpert, 1970) and in clinical studies of subjects experiencing acute withdrawal psychoses (Victor and Hope, 1953, Gross, et al., 1963, 1966, 1970, 1971) alcoholic hallucinations demonstrated little relationship to an underlying schizophrenia. Because they are commonly sensory in character, associated with diminished light and sensory input, and spatially oriented these events seem quite distinct from the emotional state caused by alcohol and the personality of the drinker.
This work was done while the author was Clinical Associate, Laboratory of Alcohol Research, National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Mental Health. Thanks are due to Dr. N.K. Mello for her invaluable assistance and to the Nursing Staff for their cooperation and patient care.
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References
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© 1973 Plenum Press, New York
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Wolin, S.J. (1973). Hallucinations During Experimental Intoxication. In: Gross, M.M. (eds) Alcohol Intoxication and Withdrawal I. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 35. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3234-3_19
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4684-3234-3_19
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