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What Causes Delirium After Heavy Alcohol Consumption?
Question: my dad aged 50 years was having treatment for alcohol dependence.
he was taking baclofen 10 mg,accamprosate 666mg and stablon 12.5 mg three times a day. and desulfiram 500mg a day.
he was drinking everday evening since last 12-15 days. but day before yesterday he drank too much and fell two times on floor.
next day he was not feeling well. was on bed almost whole day yesterday.but today he is behaving bit differently.
he is only saying that something is happening in his mind but not explaining what. he is a lot introvert.
he is shouting alone a bit like trying to make loud noise.
what is this. please reply.
he was taking baclofen 10 mg,accamprosate 666mg and stablon 12.5 mg three times a day. and desulfiram 500mg a day.
he was drinking everday evening since last 12-15 days. but day before yesterday he drank too much and fell two times on floor.
next day he was not feeling well. was on bed almost whole day yesterday.but today he is behaving bit differently.
he is only saying that something is happening in his mind but not explaining what. he is a lot introvert.
he is shouting alone a bit like trying to make loud noise.
what is this. please reply.
Brief Answer:
Delirium or psychosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns for your father.
He has been taking treatment for alcohol dependence.
After 2 days of heavy drinking, he is behaving weirdly today and shouting and making noises.
With these details, there can be two possibilities in my opinion:
Alcohol induced psychotic behavior,
Alcohol induced psychosis.
Is he able to identify you and other family members?
Is he oriented about time and place where he is?
Is he moving his hands in the manner as if he is picking something from bed or in air?
Was he able to sleep last night?
Has similar symptoms appeared in past when he tried to quit drinking?
A clinical examination along with these details can help to reach to a right diagnosis and treatment.
Although you have not asked about this, but I hope he is not taking disulfiram and alcohol together.
Taking these two together can cause serious reactions.
I would suggest you to take him to the doctor immediately. If its delirium, it can be a serious condition if treatment is delayed.
Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask further.
Thanks.
Delirium or psychosis.
Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I can understand your concerns for your father.
He has been taking treatment for alcohol dependence.
After 2 days of heavy drinking, he is behaving weirdly today and shouting and making noises.
With these details, there can be two possibilities in my opinion:
Alcohol induced psychotic behavior,
Alcohol induced psychosis.
Is he able to identify you and other family members?
Is he oriented about time and place where he is?
Is he moving his hands in the manner as if he is picking something from bed or in air?
Was he able to sleep last night?
Has similar symptoms appeared in past when he tried to quit drinking?
A clinical examination along with these details can help to reach to a right diagnosis and treatment.
Although you have not asked about this, but I hope he is not taking disulfiram and alcohol together.
Taking these two together can cause serious reactions.
I would suggest you to take him to the doctor immediately. If its delirium, it can be a serious condition if treatment is delayed.
Hope this helps.
Feel free to ask further.
Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
yes he is able to identify family members.
oriented about time and place.
but he is feeling anxious.walking here and there.
never had these symptoms.
and he took desulfiram and alcohol together.
looks like it because of adverse reaction.
oriented about time and place.
but he is feeling anxious.walking here and there.
never had these symptoms.
and he took desulfiram and alcohol together.
looks like it because of adverse reaction.
Brief Answer:
Drug interaction is a possibility.
Detailed Answer:
If he is oriented, then its not delirium.
Possibly, its the interaction between alcohol and his drugs.
Usually the effects of interaction are in the form of physical symptoms like palpitations, facial flushing, tachycardia, raised blood pressure and dizziness. Anxiety and restlessness can be associated symptoms.
But there are high chances that his symptoms are due to drug interactions.
I would suggest a clinical physical examination by his doctor.
If possible for you, kindly check his blood pressure and pulse rate, temperature and revert back.
Regards.
Drug interaction is a possibility.
Detailed Answer:
If he is oriented, then its not delirium.
Possibly, its the interaction between alcohol and his drugs.
Usually the effects of interaction are in the form of physical symptoms like palpitations, facial flushing, tachycardia, raised blood pressure and dizziness. Anxiety and restlessness can be associated symptoms.
But there are high chances that his symptoms are due to drug interactions.
I would suggest a clinical physical examination by his doctor.
If possible for you, kindly check his blood pressure and pulse rate, temperature and revert back.
Regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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