Mental disorders associated with alcoholism have long been closely studied by scientists. The problem is very common, but this pathology is almost impossible to predict and cure, as it is at the intersection of narcology and psychiatry.
Mutual influence
Regarding the effect of alcohol on the course of the disease, there are several diametrically opposed opinions.
- Thus, Emil Kraepelin, an eminent German psychiatrist, spoke out about the fact that alcohol abuse makes patients more adapted to life in society. They do not have a complete destruction of the personality, as is the case with inpatients.
- Another scientist and physician I.V. Strelchuk noted in his works that alcohol softens the course of the disease only for a certain period of time, and then the condition worsens, which ultimately leads to the formation of apathetic dementia
- A.G. Hoffman suggested that alcohol is combined only with a mild disease.
The essence of the problem
People with schizophrenia often try to drown their mental anguish with alcohol. At the time of taking alcohol, they become more open and sociable, but this does not mean that the person is on the mend — schizophrenia itself is incurable. Alcohol only speeds up disability, because when abused, the entire body is affected.
Abuse leads to an increase in the symptoms of the disease and the appearance of new ones, so
- Persecution mania escalates
- Persistent trembling of the limbs begins
- The patient partially or completely loses memory
- The thought process is disturbed, the schizophrenic is unable to formulate his thoughts
- The patient utters phrases that are not related to reality
Since schizophrenia is incurable, improvement begins with the stabilization of the mental state and the elimination of alcohol intoxication. This is a very complex process and only experienced specialists will undertake such work, because the measures that are taken to treat ordinary alcoholics will not work on schizophrenics or will be dangerous. Fashionable coding today will also not work — patients with schizophrenia are weakly suggestible. Moreover, the mentally ill person is unable to control their cravings for alcohol, and drinking after coding can be fatal.
Alcoholic schizophrenia
This type of schizophrenia can occur in heavy drinkers with a genetic predisposition. So, if the mother and father are sick, then the probability reaches 70%, if only one parent — 10%. Alcoholic schizophrenia is a psychosis resulting from long-term abuse. Rather, due to a sharp cessation of the flow of alcohol into the body poisoned by alkaloids. In the people, this condition is called «squirrel» — delirium tremens. Where did the analogy with mental illness come from? It’s simple — the symptoms affected:
- Speech and motor excitation
- Sleep disturbance, nightmares
- Hallucinations
- Disorientation in time and space
The patient has distinct hallucinations — it seems to him that insects, snakes, mice are crawling over him, someone puts a gag in his mouth, and his hands are tied with a rope. The alcoholic hears voices in his head and talks to them, receives instructions from them, and also sees silhouettes and shadows. This state can last for quite a long time, and it is dangerous for the people around — the patient’s brain is poisoned by toxins, and he will strive to do what the voices in his head tell him to do. It can be actions up to murder or suicide.
It is worth noting that any addiction is scary, and no one will help you better than yourself. Nowadays, there are many clinics that help fight the disease, but the best option for maintaining health is to drink alcohol in moderation.