Alcoholic delirium is an acute alcoholic psychosis characterized by disturbance of consciousness, suddenly emerging scary visual and auditory hallucinations, disturbance of orientation in time and place, delusions, fear, strong excitation, unjustified aggression. Alcoholic delirium usually occurs within 2 - 4 days after the cessation of drinking bout. The first attack of delirium tremens follows a long drinking bout, the second and subsequent attacks are possible after less prolonged drinking bouts. The herald of this psychosis is persistent sleep disturbance. The sleep is superficial, with frequent awakenings and nightmares. After some time, insomnia develops and further reinforces the fear and anxiety in the patient.

Alcoholic delirium is manifested by a variety of hallucinations: visual, auditory, tactile, is reflected in the movements and facial expressions of the patient.

Assistance measures in alcoholic delirium encompass a mandatory specialized psychiatric care. Sometimes patients themselves address to the police with a request to protect them against "bandits." In the hospital, such patients are put on a massive intravenous and intramuscular introduction of a set of medicines, including vitamins, nootropics, drugs with magnesium and potassium, sedatives, hypnotics, drugs for the maintenance of cardiac activity. Patients in delirium receive plenty of fluids while watching the heart and kidneys function.

Recovery from alcoholic delirium occurs quickly. It can be achieved by normalizing healthy sleep in the patient. A deep prolonged sleep returns a clear conscience and normalizes the state of the patient.