Alcohol-induced delirium

Essential (Required) Features:

• All diagnostic requirements for 6D70 Delirium are met.
• There is evidence from history, physical examination, or laboratory findings that the neurocognitive disturbance is caused by the direct physiological consequences of alcohol use. This judgment depends on establishing that the course of the Delirium (e.g., onset, trajectory of symptoms, eventual remission with elimination of the substance from the body) is consistent with causation by alcohol use.
• The duration or severity of the symptoms is substantially in excess of the characteristic syndrome of Alcohol Intoxication or Alcohol Withdrawal.
• The diagnostic requirements for 6D70.2 Delirium Due to Multiple Etiological Factors are not met.

Additional Clinical Features:

• Approximately 2% of cases of Alcohol Withdrawal progress to a very severe syndrome sometimes referred to as delirium tremens (DTs) characterized by confusion and disorientation, delusions, and prolonged visual, tactile or auditory hallucinations. When delirium is present, a separate diagnosis of Alcohol-Induced Delirium should also be assigned. Presence of seizures during withdrawal represents a risk factor for development of Delirium. If unrecognized or untreated, Delirium during Alcohol Withdrawal is associated with substantially increased mortality as compared to Alcohol Withdrawal without co-occurring Delirium. In such cases, both Alcohol Withdrawal and Alcohol-Induced Delirium should be diagnosed.

Note: See 6D70 Delirium for other CDDR sections, including Additional Clinical Features, Boundary with Normality (Threshold), Course Features, Developmental Presentations, Culture-Related Features, and Boundaries with Other Disorders and Conditions (Differential Diagnosis).