Hallucinogen Drug Abuse Treatment

Hallucinogens bring a person in a state of euphoria by causing hallucination. In history, hallucinogens have been used in performing religious rituals and most often it is used for recreational purposes. The person with hallucinogen addiction will experience tripping, which brings around mental stimulation and distresses the person severely. Hallucinogens are made of two major components including - dissociative drugs & classic hallucinogens. But, both of these categories of hallucinogens will bring around dangerous health conditions and affect one's health adversely.

What are Hallucinogens?

Hallucinogens fall in that category of addictive drugs that causes a person to develop a distorted perception of what is real. Use of this drug will make a person feel the things and situations, which are not actually real. A person under the influence of Hallucinogens can be a real threat to himself as well as the people around him at the time when he reacts to the hallucinations. 

There are both man-made and hallucinogenic drugs that are derived from plants and fungi that are found in nature including mushrooms. In certain cases of religious practices, hallucinogens have been used by people in ceremonies. According to a study, around 15.5 percent of people belonging to the age group of 12 and above have used hallucinogens once or more in their lives. 

Common Hallucinogenic Drugs:

Hallucinogens are highly addictive - It can fool around people to get them lose the sense of place & time. It plays with the person’s mind disabling to understand what is real. Some of the most common hallucinogens include LSD, LMT, ecstasy, and mescaline. The “highs” that you experience with the drug will depend on the type of hallucinogen that has been consumed. Consumption of these drugs is very dangerous and can devastate every area of a person’s life. Therefore, it is important to get immediate help or treatment from a hallucinogen rehab, if you or someone close to you is suffering from the condition. 

Common Hallucinogenic Drugs Include: 

1. LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

2. Peyote buttons

3. DXM (Dextromethorphan)

4. AL-LAD (6-allyl-6-nor-LSD)

5. Mescaline (Trimethoxyphenethylamine)

6. Psilocybin (Mushrooms, or Shrooms)

7. DMT (Dimethyltryptamine)

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

LSD first used accidentally in 1938 is the most powerful hallucinogens. It is soluble in water and has no odour. In the purest form the drug is white, however because of manufacturing defects color may change to tan or black. The effect of LSD comes up after thirty to ninety minutes of its use and the effect can last for as long as twelve hours. 

Effects of LSD Uses:

• The Users develop extreme tolerance to the drug and other hallucinogens.

• But, the tolerance will start fading after a few days of taking the drug.

• The mechanism that hallucinogens work with has not yet been found.

• With some studies, it has been found that it hits directly the serotonin receptors of the locus coeruleus and the cerebral cortex. 

Peyote

Peyote comes from a small cactus plant. It’s mainly used during religious practices and ceremonies. In addition to that, the drug is also used to cure many ailments including cold, toothache, fever, diabetes, skin diseases, and pain during the birth of a child. Peyote works by affecting prefrontal cortex and the peripheral nervous system. In reality, it will not completely remove pain, but brings around an environment where the person gets distracted from the pain. 

Psilocybin

Psilocybin (Mushrooms) come from around 200 mushroom species that grow naturally. It’s uses will make the person feel as if everything is going slow and the time has stopped somewhere. The prefrontal cortex gets affected in this case. 

Effects  of Psilocybin:

• The person starts developing tolerance to the drug quickly, but it will go away soon if the person stops using the same. 

• Psilocybin will not usually affect your physical health however it affects the mental health of the person. 

• It is the least harmful drug in the category, but that does not mean that it’s completely harmless.

DMT

DMT is also known as “businessman’s trip”, because of the only short-term effect that it has on the user. The effect lasts for as much as  five to fifteen minutes. There are many plant species from which these drugs are produced. DMT is a major ingredient found in the ayahuasca, which is a chemical cocktail drunk by the Amazonian tribes. Ayahuasca is found naturally. Although it will have a short term effect on the user, it can cause unmanageable hallucinations. It won’t usually cause psychological or physical dependence. 

Mescaline

This drug was first introduced in 1897 and was used in the treatment of other addictions. But, later on it was announced as being illegal. Mescaline is the actively working ingredient of Peyote and therefore it works in a similar way. It targets the prefrontal cortex and the peripheral nervous system. 

DXM

DXM are usually used in a number of cough syrups. A dose of a one-third ounce of the drug will work quite well on the person helping in the treatment of cough. But, consuming a higher dose as much as four ounces or more can create hallucinations. The effect of high doses of hallucinogens can last as long as six hours. 

Signs & Symptoms of Hallucinogen Uses:

It is very important for you to notice the changes and find out if your loved one is suffering from hallucinogen abuse. There are long-term and short term effects that will be noticed on the physical, behavioral, and mental status of the person. However, in the case of hallucinogen drug abuse, it is sometimes hard to notice these symptoms as they come and go very fast. Some of the most common symptoms of hallucinogen addiction include confusion, problems with being attentive, forgetfulness, and very slow reaction stimuli. But, in most cases these symptoms are yet not permanent. 

Here are some noticeable changes that are worth noticing when you are trying to determine if someone close to you is suffering from hallucinogen addiction. 

Physical Symptoms of Hallucinogen Abuse:

• Decreased concern about personal Hygiene.

• Frequent Shaking & Tremors.

• Extreme Disorientation.

• Delirious Speaking.

• Unexplained Sweating.

Behavioral Symptoms of Hallucinogen Abuse:

• Acting and Speaking Unusually.

• Confusion.

• Disorientation.

• Mental Illness

• Paranoid

• Aggressive behavior.

• Unexplained Fearfulness 

Financial Issues & Hallucinogen Abuse:

Hallucinogen users will need money without any valid reason. They will have no explanation on why they need money. In an extreme case of addiction, the person can even go on stealing money and valuables from people around. 

Other Symptoms of Hallucinogen Addiction Include:

• Hyperthermia

• Panic attacks

• Trembling

• Elevated heart rate

• Dilated pupils

• Combative behavior

Treatment for Hallucinogen Abuse:

Hallucinogen Addiction treatment is generally based on behavioral therapies. They are not addictive in nature like other drugs. People suffering from hallucinogen abuse disorder will also suffer from various co-occurring disorders including anxiety and depression. Here are the types of treatment available for hallucinogen drug abuse:

Hallucinogen Abuse - Residential Treatment:

At the hallucinogen abuse Residential treatment facilities, there is 24/7 access to medical assistance and availability of medications. The patient is provided with a safe environment where he can get through many counseling sessions and therapies focused on their individual treatment program. There are group, individual & recreational therapies as a part of the treatment program. In addition to this, many residential treatment facilities will have more holistic treatment programs that include meditation, yoga, and exercise sessions. You will also be given training on how to work out and get rid of bad habits. 

Hallucinogen Abuse - Outpatient Treatment:

Outpatient hallucinogen treatment centers are suitable for those patients who do not have much time and people who cannot completely leave their family or work responsibilities during the course of treatment. Also, these programs are perfect for those who have already gone through the residential treatment programs and they no longer feel a need for a structured environment to work on their recovery.