ABSTRACT
Although psychotic symptoms are quite frequent in alcoholics (6 to 7%, lifetime prevalence 25%, see below), few studies have addressed their pathophysiology and treatment. Alcohol-induced psychoses are a rather ill-defined group. In ICD-10,
the diagnosis of a psychotic disorder in substance abuse can be made if the following criteria are fullfilled:
A. Onset of psychotic symptoms must occur during or within 2 weeks of substance abuse. B. The psychotic symptoms must persist for more than 48 hours. C. Duration of the disorder must not exceed 6 months.
