In a retrospective study the case histories of 154 patients with acute alcohol psychosis were examined. The obvious diagnostic criteria in the doctor’s differential diagnosis between alcohol withdrawal delirium and alcohol hallucinosis was clouding of sensorium and disorientation. 103 patients were diagnosed as having alcohol withdrawal delirium, 51 patients alcohol hallucinosis. Mean age and sex ratio were the same in both groups. Further psychopathological symptoms in both groups supporting differential diagnosis are discusse