Substance use: alcoholic hallucinosis: practice question

A Psychiatry question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Psychiatry · Substance use: alcoholic hallucinosis

Sample item

A chronic drinker reduces his intake and then hears accusatory voices talking about him in the third person, while remaining orientated and with a clear sensorium. The condition is:

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Alcoholic hallucinosis

Alcoholic hallucinosis presents with predominantly auditory hallucinations in clear consciousness, appearing during or soon after cessation or reduction of drinking. It differs from DT in preserved orientation, and it responds to abstinence and antipsychotics.

Option by option

  • A. Schizophrenia

    Schizophrenia would not be linked temporally to a reduction in alcohol.

  • B. Korsakoff syndrome

    Korsakoff syndrome causes amnesia and confabulation.

  • C. Delirium tremens

    DT is marked by clouded consciousness, tremor and autonomic hyperactivity.

  • D. Alcoholic hallucinosis (correct)

    Correct. Auditory hallucinations in clear consciousness suggest alcoholic hallucinosis.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Psychiatry question

What is the answer to this Psychiatry question?

The best answer is D, Alcoholic hallucinosis. Alcoholic hallucinosis presents with predominantly auditory hallucinations in clear consciousness, appearing during or soon after cessation or reduction of drinking.

Why is "Schizophrenia" not the answer?

Schizophrenia would not be linked temporally to a reduction in alcohol.

Why is "Korsakoff syndrome" not the answer?

Korsakoff syndrome causes amnesia and confabulation.

Why is "Delirium tremens" not the answer?

DT is marked by clouded consciousness, tremor and autonomic hyperactivity.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Substance use: alcoholic hallucinosis in Psychiatry. It differs from DT in preserved orientation, and it responds to abstinence and antipsychotics.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Substance use: alcoholic hallucinosis?

Learn each diagnosis by its core features and its first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other Psychiatry questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.