Issue With An Alcoholic And Dreams.

[RATTER15]

Im, not sure if this issue is anything to do with her alcoholism or not, or if it's seen as a recognized issue.
A lady I look after is a long-term alcoholic aged 72. In the mornings when I see her, she tells me about things that have happened during the night or happened the previous day, although these things clearly didn't happen. When she was admitted to the hospital a short while ago, she came out telling me stories of the people that Doctors were killing and taking their bodies to the animal department for disposal and members of her family were involved. This is just an example of the things she totally believes she witnessed. I can only imagine that these incidents are from her dreams, but she still totally believes these things have happened weeks later, even when totally sober. She is sober in the mornings but mostly drinks later in the day. When she is sober, she is totally sensible and very intelligent but still believes that these odd things have really happened. Does anybody have any experience with anything similar or if it is a recognized complaint? Also, it may of course be nothing to do with her being an alcoholic at all.

[TheWinner]

I've heard of something similar, it turned out to be linked to Alzheimers.
https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/stages-behaviors/suspicions-delusions

[Buenchico]

Alcohol-induced psychosis is certainly a possibility but there could be many other causes, especially as those who turn to alcohol often have other mental health problems.

[Barmaid]

I do not have personal experience but have seen this professionally. Try looking into Korsakoff syndrome and thiamine deficiency. (I could be completely wrong on this, but it rang bells).

[RATTER15]

"TheWinner" She has recently been tested for dementia, and so far, so good. I have worked in the field of dementia for 20 years, I'm not seeing anything pointing to dementia yet, however, I think this will change over time.

[TheWinner]

Well done for taking care of her RATTER15. When they are convinced these things really happened, it must be very scary for them.

[fender62]

slightly off topic, in my younger days i got so drunk that i saw an archway leading somewhere, but really in front of me was wall..
let's just say one does not want to get this paraletic, scrumpy grog
my first and last session on that.

[Cloverjo]

Could be hallucinations brought on by alcohol or by an infection or brain damage.

My mum told me some bizarre things that she believed were true when she was very ill. She hardly drank.

I’ve been convinced a circus was set up in my garden, and people were in my house.

[RATTER15]

Thanks all.

[bobbinwales]

When one of my relatives was having episodes like this... crazy stories like animals running round her house etc.... it turned out they had been having little bleeds on the brain, nothing to do with alcohol in this case

[juliecarlstan]

Wernicke Encephalopathy, Karakoff Syndrome. Google it. I have things that I 'remember' because my brain is filling in where amnesia happens from Alcohol Induced Brain Damage. there are many ways general AIBD can show in behaviors or symptoms, but the longer you drink the worse it gets.  Your Right, it could also have nothing to do with her drinking....