A man, aged 43, was rushed to the emergency room after suffering from delirium, hallucinations, and seizures. Doctors at Lang Son Provincial General Hospital diagnosed him with a mental disorder resulting from alcohol addiction. Dr. Trinh Thi Viet Ha, Deputy Head of the Department of Psychiatry and Neurology, confirmed the diagnosis and explained that the hospital had seen nearly 100 cases of similar mental disorders caused by alcohol abuse in the first three months of the year.
The patient’s family reported that he had been an alcoholic for over a decade and had often neglected food and sleep in favor of alcohol. Despite being hospitalized twice before for mental disorders, he continued to drink heavily, leading to a deterioration in his health and mood. This time, he was admitted to the emergency room for the third time due to his symptoms.
Alcohol is a significant contributor to various health issues and is ranked as the third leading cause of premature death and disability globally by the World Health Organization (WHO). Long-term alcohol abuse can cause direct damage to the brain and internal organs, making treatment complex and challenging. Alcohol-induced mental disorders are a consequence of this long-term abuse.
Treating these disorders requires doctors to closely monitor patients’ progress while providing mental encouragement and support. However, many patients experience relapses after treatment, highlighting the importance of their determination to give up alcohol and follow their doctor’s treatment plan. Family support is also crucial in encouraging patients to quit drinking.
If someone exhibits signs of a mental disorder due to alcohol abuse, it is essential for their family members or friends to seek medical help promptly rather than attempting self-treatment at home. Guidelines for safe alcohol consumption include not exceeding two units per day for men and one unit per day for women, with no more than five days of drinking per week