Chloralism

Chloralomism, often called "alcoholism," is a mental disorder that occurs due to the abuse of chloral hydrate, benzotriazole, or phenylcyclopropane hydrochloride. This dangerous mental disorder is characterized by disturbances in thinking and sleep, behavioral changes, emotional disturbances and physical symptoms.

Symptoms of chlorolamism may appear within a few hours after taking the drug and last up to several days. Symptoms include: lethargy, drowsiness, increased thirst, slow reaction time, loss of consciousness, high blood pressure, breathing problems, constipation and nausea.

In severe cases, hallucinations, manic symptoms, paranoia, depression, uncontrolled actions and even suicide are possible. Chloralamicism can be life-threatening for the patient - anaphylactic reactions, renal failure, myocardial infarction, etc.

Although chlorals are toxic, they play an important role in medicine and are used to treat various diseases. However, if chloral is used incorrectly or in case of overdose, serious consequences and serious diseases are possible, one of which is chloralism - chronic poisoning with chloral drugs (chloral hydrate).

Chloralism is one of the drug addictions; its pathogenesis is hallucinosis. It occurs most often with the abuse of chloral hydrate with caffeine. The drug causes intoxication phenomena, including vegetative symptoms, agitation with characteristic alcoholic and hallucinatory psychoses, and episodes of euphoria. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome often develops. Signs characteristic of neuroleptic syndrome and exogenous psychoses are also observed.

The syndrome usually forms after the first intravenous injection of chloral hydrant (usually in the morning or after midnight), in a state of mild post-intoxication euphoria, after taking alcohol or other drugs. Those who take part can introduce new doses of the drug in order to enhance the effect. It is not uncommon not only for intravenous administration of hydrochloride, but also for its consumption by mouth. The development of the syndrome is also observed with self-prescription of hydrochlorides 3-4 times during the day in a dose of 0.5 g of dry substance hydrochloride with intervals between doses of 6 and 9 hours.

When a drug is introduced into the body directly through the skin, local inflammatory phenomena may occur in the form of dermatitis, such as skin intolerance to chlorhexidine. Tangible effects on the skin are detected after a few hours and can last up to 2 days. They include hyperemia, moderate swelling, and sometimes blisters, accompanied by a feeling of heat and burning. The condition usually improves within 48-72 hours after stopping the drug with codeine and calcium gluconate.

Up to 6 months, many victims continue to have mental disorders in the form of depression, anxiety, restless sleep, anorexia, decreased performance up to psychosis, and hallucinations. Subsequently, the mental status becomes more stable, although cases of the appearance of “severe” exacerbations and individual mental defects are not uncommon both during the period of drug abuse and in long-term periods. Some experience symptoms of a somato-vegetative and electroencephalographic nature, which are similar to those observed during intoxication with other hallucinogens - butyrate, dextromethorphan.

Chloralism is a psychological problem that occurs as a result of substance use. The term was first reported by Swedish psychiatrists in 1958. In English, the term is used as non-infectious chloral hydrate psychosis or non-convulsive neuroleptic poisoning (neuroleptascholia). However, this use should be abandoned, since the literal translation would mean “destruction by hydrogen chloride” or “madness from chlorine.” **Psychogenesis** The underlying mechanism