Studija slučaja
https://doi.org/10.20471/jan.2026.62.01.10
An Unusual Relationship Between Auditory Hallucinations, Alcohol Drinking, and Alcohol-Induced Premature Liver Damage in a Patient With Schizophrenia: a Case Report
Sergej Nadalin
; Department of Psychiatry, General Hospital “Dr. Josip Benčević”, Slavonski Brod, Croatia; School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Vjekoslav Peitl
; School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
Ante Silić
; School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
Danijel Crnković
; School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
Lucija Virović Jukić
; Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivan Majdandžić
; Department of Anesthesiology, Reanimatology and Intensive Care Medicine, General Hospital “Dr. Josip Benčević”, Slavonski Brod, Croatia
Maja Vilibić
; School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
Dalibor Karlović
; School of Medicine, Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb, Croatia; Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Center Sestre Milosrdnice, Zagreb, Croatia
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
Aim: This case report explores the relationship between psychotic symptoms and excessive alcohol consumption in schizophrenia, examining its role in self-medication, premature liver damage, and treatment challenges. Case report: We describe a 31-year-old male with schizophrenia, who was nonadherent to antipsychotic treatment, and who repeatedly manifested excessive alcohol consumption during the exacerbations of psychotic symptoms, claiming that his alcohol drinking was for the purpose of self-medicating for auditory hallucinations. Despite temporary perceived relief, the patient developed severe alcohol-related liver damage, including alcoholic hepatitis and portal hypertension, at a remarkably early age. This case challenges the classical self-medication hypothesis, as alcohol use likely worsened both psychiatric and physical outcomes. Conclusions: This report highlights the complex relationship between psychosis and alcohol misuse, underscoring the need to explore alternative mechanisms linking auditory hallucinations to alcohol consumption. It also emphasizes early recognition of alcohol-related liver damage in schizophrenia. When liver function is impaired, careful selection of antipsychotic treatment is critical. The atypical antipsychotic amisulpride, with its minimal hepatic metabolism, appears to be a promising option for controlling psychotic symptoms and reducing alcohol cravings in such cases.
Ključne riječi
Alcoholism; hallucinations; hepatitis, alcoholic; hyper- tension, portal; schizophrenia
Hrčak ID:
344467
URI
Datum izdavanja:
10.2.2026.
Posjeta: 375 *