Loading...
Can chronic severe alcoholism cause psychosis? Information on this issue is scarce and largely confined to decades-old, unsystematic, descriptive reports. This valuable epidemiologic analysis used the Finnish Health 2000 survey of 8028 people (age ≥30). Screening for psychosis included a review of records on hospitalization, medication, and disability, plus a standardized interview. Of 746 respondents identified as having psychosis, 444 underwent follow-up structured diagnostic interviews. Alcohol-induced psychosis had to be linked to alcohol use; symptoms had to exceed those typical of intoxication/withdrawal; and primary psychosis had to be ruled out. An expert clinician reviewed the diagnoses. Delirium diagnoses were also recorded.
Thirty…