Addiction to hallucinogens

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What is addiction to hallucinogen?

Hallucinogens are substances that lead to a trance-like state, altering a person's awareness of their surroundings. They will also influence one's thoughts and feelings, being known as psychedelic drugs. Among the most commonly abused hallucinogens, there are LSD and PCP. Unfortunately, more and more people are struggling with such addictions, requiring specialized intervention to recover. Addiction treatment centers offer inpatient programs for those who are addicted to hallucinogens. The sooner the recovery process begins, the better the outcome is going to be. If you are interested in reading more information on the subject, do not hesitate to keep on reading.

Nature of addiction to hallucinogens

Numerous studies have confirmed the addictive nature of hallucinogens. There are two main categories of drugs, meaning classic hallucinogens, such as LSD, and dissociative drugs, such as PCP. Both these drugs can lead to hallucinations, with the person in question having difficulties discerning between what is real and what is not. Moreover, drugs like PCP can cause one to feel disconnected from his/her body and environment, or out of control. Unfortunately, this type of addiction cannot be overcome alone, and early intervention is a must, given the severe health consequences.

How does this addiction develop? Upon receiving hallucinogen drugs on a regular basis, the brain will trigger subsequent chemical reactions. The person in question will start to experience hallucinations and other associated symptoms, with the brain associating these new manifestations with the drug intake. Over time, one will require more and more of the drug, feeling like life is boring without them. Should they attempt to stop, they are bound to experience withdrawal symptoms, which can be more or less intense. Among the most common manifestations, there are: irritability, aggressiveness, and restlessness. Intense cravings will prevent one from working, sleeping, or engaging in various activities. Relationships are affected by the drug abuse as well, as one is exclusively focused on satisfying his/her cravings.

Hallucinogens are often presented as mind-altering chemicals, with specialists drawing attention to their highly addictive effect. LSD, for instance, is made from lysergic acid and it can lead to severe addictions. The same goes for dissociative drugs, such as PCP, which was initially used as a general anesthetic for surgery. These drugs can throw a dark veil over one's life, leading to all sort of problems. They play a negative influence over one's mood, sensory perception, sleep, hunger, body temperature, sexual behavior, and even the intestinal muscle control. Considering all these changes, it makes sense that this kind of addiction can be difficult to overcome without specialized help.

Those who are addicted to hallucinogen substances will refuse to acknowledge they have a problem or might hide their addiction from others. Nonetheless, the cravings for the respective drugs might be quite intense, with one losing his/her ability to function as intended or desired. One might also develop a tolerance to the drug, consuming more and more in order to achieve the same effect. Money issues can become apparent, as one will spend his/her entire budget on drugs. People might refrain from any unnecessary interactions, avoiding work-related responsibilities. Under the influence of drugs, they might put themselves or others at risk.

A healthy recovery will always start with acknowledging addiction and understanding the backdrop, the causes from which it stemmed. Many people attempt to quit hallucinogens on their own, only to fail, over and over again. The need to use the drugs can be quite intense, especially during the initial detox period. This is the reason why it is for the best to check into an addiction treatment facility and given their inpatient programs a try. Within a specialized center, you have the best chances to recover and return to healthy living.

Effect of addiction to hallucinogens

It is important to be aware of the long-term effect hallucinogens can have on the body. Many people attempt to disregard the effects of these drugs, even though these are quite obvious, not only to themselves but also to others, such as friends and family. Addiction can affect relationships in many different ways. Addicts usually focus exclusively on their addiction, being distracted from the real world and what happens with others. Close relationships often suffer because of addiction, as one struggles to keep up appearances.

As the brain suffers from the influence of psychedelics, it often happens that one will make wrong choices. Parents might avoid spending time with their children, missing out on important milestones. Teenagers will end up stealing money, engaging in criminal acts to satisfy their cravings. Couples might drift apart from each other, focusing exclusively on the addiction. Important events will be avoided, especially since one is consumed by the desire to consume the respective drugs. Aggressive tendencies, anger, and emotional instability might become apparent, affecting both personal and professional development.

From a personal perspective, hallucinogens can have a destructive impact, causing one to lose interest in personal hobbies and passions, as well as in future goals. These drugs can prevent one from pursuing a career, with many people losing their motivation. Satisfying the cravings for the respective drugs will become the number one priority, with everything else fading into the background. One will be affected by both the short and long-term effects of the drugs, struggling to function or perform basic tasks. Changes in the sense of time can lead to confusion, but one will mostly remember the so-called "spiritual experience" caused by the intake of drugs.

Those who are dealing with such addictions will have a hard time maintaining a suitable performance at work. Teenagers might exhibit impaired school performance, falling behind or abandoning school altogether. The changes brought on by the regular intake of drugs will be noticed by employers, with job loss becoming a definite possibility. Addiction can distract one from work-related responsibilities, with a less-than-satisfactory performance as a result. Moreover, the relationships with co-workers will be strained as well.

Legal problems can occur as well. Hallucinogens are not legal, no matter the type or active substance contained. Both using and possessing drugs can put one at risk of being arrested. If you are driving under the influence, you might end up in jail as well, losing your driver's license for a considerate period of time. Many people might engage in criminal acts just to obtain money to purchase more drugs.

Inpatient addiction treatment programs

If you are dealing with an addiction to hallucinogens, such as LSD or PCP, you might consider checking into an addiction treatment center. These facilities have state-of-the-art inpatient rehab programs for different addictions, including to such drugs. Before you commit to any particular facility, you can visit the respective campus and ask questions about their programs. As a result, you will be 100% certain that you have found the best place for your needs.

Upon joining an inpatient rehab program, you will have to remain within the respective facility for the entire program duration. All prospective patients benefit from an initial assessment, which is thorough and performed by experienced specialists. The information gathered is used to create personalized intervention plans. Some of the aspects analyzed include: co-existing health issues, history of addiction, type of addiction, severity and frequency of abuse, physical and mental health, etc. The intervention plans are revised regularly, with consideration to the progress each patient has made. Residential stays vary between 30 and 90 days, in accordance with the patient's needs and challenges experienced. Most patients need several months to overcome their addiction and fight towards abstinence.

The more severe one's addiction is, the longer the recovery process is going to be. Generally speaking, a successful inpatient stay will also mean a lower risk of relapse. The best thing about these programs is that they address not only the actual addiction, but also its root causes. Recovery programs are chosen in accordance with the patient's needs and the risk of relapse. Those who are dealing with severe addiction will benefit the most from such programs, as they will be removed from the dysfunctional environment and potential triggers. These recovery programs teach patients to address potential triggers in a healthy manner, so future relapses are prevented.

No matter which addiction treatment center you will choose, you can be absolutely certain that you will benefit from exceptional care and support. While in recovery, patients are monitored and helped by various medical specialists and therapists. These are the experts who will help patients overcome the difficult detox and focus on their recovery, the best possible network of support. For many patients, the immediate availability of help represents exactly the motivation they needed to fight for long-term sobriety.

Inpatient detox, the first cornerstone of recovery from hallucinogen addiction

All the hallucinogens are addictive, no exception present. Given their highly addictive effect, it should come as no surprise that the person in question will seek more of the same substance to experience a potential high. Without the drug, most people will experience withdrawal symptoms, such as aggressiveness, restlessness, anger, tremors, or irritation. The brain is responsible for these symptoms, doing what it takes for the drugs to return. As a result, one might return to old habits, especially if he/she does not have a strong network of support.

Inpatient addiction treatment programs begin with an initial detox period. Patients are helped to overcome the intense withdrawal symptoms, often with a combination of therapy and counseling. There is no current medication that can be used to treat such addictions. Once the patient has managed to finish the detox period, it is time to begin the recover process. The daily schedule will include various therapies and counseling. A major goal of such programs is to prevent the health-related complications related to the drug abuse.

Therapies used in hallucinogen addiction recovery

The withdrawal period conquered, patients are helped to work on their recovery. In accordance with each individual situation, different therapeutic options might be employed, with a regular assessment of the progress made. If one also struggles with mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety, additional therapies might be included. Patients are taught to cope with real situations without resorting to drugs and to find other spiritual experiences that do not have anything to do with addiction. Moreover, they are learning how to work through potential triggers.

If you are battling other addictions as well, you might have to choose a program that fits your current needs. For instance, the addiction to alcohol can make matters worse, with severe health consequences. You need a program that can help you overcome both the addiction to hallucinogens and alcohol. The good news is that you will be monitored from up close, with the intervention plan being adjusted with careful consideration to your medical history and any treatments you might take for co-existing conditions.

Standard therapeutic options include psychological counseling and cognitive behavioral therapy. Additional therapies might include: energy healing and Reiki, guided imagery, chiropractic treatments, aromatherapy, music therapy, hypnosis, biofeedback, art therapy, massage therapy, animal therapy, or acupuncture. Most centers embrace a holistic approach to recovery, with patients being handled by multidisciplinary teams. Newer therapies might be offered in upscale facilities, such as: motivational enhancement therapy, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy, interpersonal therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, acceptance commitment therapy.

The success rates of such programs vary from one facility to the other. Patients who manage to overcome the detox period and work on their recovery present the best chances of success. The same goes for teenagers, once removed from peer pressure and potential triggers. As a general rule, the longer programs are associated with a lower risk of relapse, as patients have an ample amount of time to work on their addiction and its root causes.

If you are struggling with an addiction to hallucinogens such as LSD or PCP, you might want to consider an inpatient rehab program. Within the safe and structured environment of an addiction treatment center, you can work on your recovery and say goodbye to drugs forever. Patients benefit from personal intervention plans, with a regular assessment of the progress made. Dedicated specialists help them overcome the initial detox period and work towards long-term sobriety, with each patient learning how to cope with real situations and address potential triggers, without relying on drugs or their effect.

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