Hey, I'm in a similar situation to you (21, alcoholic) and I've been experiencing similar things and wondering about it myself. I often hear conversations and voices that aren't there, particularly after heavy drinking periods (the morning after, or at night when everything else is quiet). I also get the occasional visual hallucination, nothing to visceral, but definite warping and colours and stuff. Anyway, auditory hallucinations are certainly a symptom of alcoholism, and I'm pretty sure that's what it is rather than the onset of schizophrenia. However, alcohol abuse, particularly at our age, has been linked to the triggering of schizophrenia-like symptoms.
I know what a stupid and hypocritical thing it is to say, since I haven't been able to do it myself, but it's definitely worth cutting back on the drinking. Not cold turkey, 'cos that'll make you feel a lot worse, but maybe having one or two less drinks a night than you would otherwise. When I was on the wagon and managed to cut back a fair amount, I definitely felt better for it, and the hallucinations disappeared. So if you can find someone to help you do that, I honestly think it would help. It's what I'm gonna try and do. Best of luck!
Is it normal that I hear things that aren't there?
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Hey, I'm in a similar situation to you (21, alcoholic) and I've been experiencing similar things and wondering about it myself. I often hear conversations and voices that aren't there, particularly after heavy drinking periods (the morning after, or at night when everything else is quiet). I also get the occasional visual hallucination, nothing to visceral, but definite warping and colours and stuff. Anyway, auditory hallucinations are certainly a symptom of alcoholism, and I'm pretty sure that's what it is rather than the onset of schizophrenia. However, alcohol abuse, particularly at our age, has been linked to the triggering of schizophrenia-like symptoms.
I know what a stupid and hypocritical thing it is to say, since I haven't been able to do it myself, but it's definitely worth cutting back on the drinking. Not cold turkey, 'cos that'll make you feel a lot worse, but maybe having one or two less drinks a night than you would otherwise. When I was on the wagon and managed to cut back a fair amount, I definitely felt better for it, and the hallucinations disappeared. So if you can find someone to help you do that, I honestly think it would help. It's what I'm gonna try and do. Best of luck!