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What Causes Hallucinations After Stopping Alcohol Consumption?

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Posted on Mon, 23 Feb 2015
Question: My husband has neck pain and has been prescribed hydrocodone 5mg and acetominaphen 325 mg and a muscle relaxer tizanidine 4mg. He is having some hallucinations could this be the drugs, he has already cut the muscle relaxer in half. He is also an alcoholic and has not has any for 4 days, wondering if withdrawal might be happening.

Would appreciate your input. Please e-mail me at YYYY@YYYY


Thank you XXXX
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Answered by Dr. Karen Steinberg (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Suspect alcohol withdrawal is most likely cause

Detailed Answer:
Hi, thank you for using Healthcare Magics. Muscle relaxants and narcotics could certainly affect his perception and thinking. People who are older are also more likely to experience delirium and hallucinations when they are ill and on drugs. But the most likely possibility is withdrawal from alcohol.

If he has been drinking heavily for a long time, and has had no alcohol whatsoever these last 3 or 4 days, that is the right time frame when alcohol withdrawal symptoms or DTs (delirium tremens) start to show up.

The combination with narcotics and muscle relaxants could be aggravating his condition. Given his age and current symptoms, it might be safest to have him monitored at the hospital. Contact his doctor right away and get his/her advice about this.

Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Dr. Karen Steinberg

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1981

Answered : 824 Questions

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What Causes Hallucinations After Stopping Alcohol Consumption?

Brief Answer: Suspect alcohol withdrawal is most likely cause Detailed Answer: Hi, thank you for using Healthcare Magics. Muscle relaxants and narcotics could certainly affect his perception and thinking. People who are older are also more likely to experience delirium and hallucinations when they are ill and on drugs. But the most likely possibility is withdrawal from alcohol. If he has been drinking heavily for a long time, and has had no alcohol whatsoever these last 3 or 4 days, that is the right time frame when alcohol withdrawal symptoms or DTs (delirium tremens) start to show up. The combination with narcotics and muscle relaxants could be aggravating his condition. Given his age and current symptoms, it might be safest to have him monitored at the hospital. Contact his doctor right away and get his/her advice about this. Hope this answers your query. If you have further questions, I would be happy to answer them.