Hallucinogen Dependence

What are hallucinogens?

Hallucinogens are drugs that can cause people to see, hear, and feel things that are not real. Some of these drugs cause intense mood swings.

Some hallucinogens occur naturally (salvia divinorum, peyote, and certain mushrooms). Several others are man-made (LSD, MDA, STP). Common names for hallucinogens include angel dust, love boat, LSD (acid), mescaline (peyote), and psilocybin (magic mushroom).

What is hallucinogen dependence?

You are psychologically dependent on a drug if you feel you need it to function.

What is the cause?

Hallucinogens change body chemistry, especially in the brain. When you first start using the drugs, you use them because they make you feel good. If you use them because you cannot feel good without them, you have become dependent on the drugs.

You have a higher risk of becoming dependent on hallucinogens if you:

• have ADHD, depression, or anxiety
• have a family history of drug abuse
• abuse other drugs

What are the symptoms?

Signs of hallucinogen use include:

• dilated pupils
• warm skin and heavy sweating
• higher body temperature
• increased heart rate and blood pressure
• loss of appetite
• sleeplessness
• dry mouth
• tremors
• distorted sense of sight, hearing, and touch
• distorted image of self and time perception
• mood and behavior changes like roller-coasters
• panic attacks
• paranoia
• delusions
• hallucinations
• rigid muscles
• coma
• unpredictable flashbacks that can occur years later

If you are a heavy user, you may have signs of brain damage, such as memory loss, short attention span, confusion, and trouble thinking. These changes may be strong or they may be subtle. They may be permanent or they may go away when you stop using hallucinogens.

More extreme reactions to the drug may make you violent against yourself or others. Sometimes heart or lung failure may occur.

A very serious problem with hallucinogens is that they distort your sense of reality. For example, you may believe you can fly or drive 1000 miles an hour. Thousands of people end up in emergency rooms with injuries caused while "tripping."

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and drug use and examine you. A sample of your urine may be tested for drug use.

How is it treated?

For any treatment to be successful, you must want to give up hallucinogens.

Withdrawal from long-term hallucinogen use is usually not life threatening and does not cause physically painful symptoms. Treatment initially consists of managing the symptoms of withdrawal, which can include a longing to reuse, hallucinations, and panic.

You may be prescribed antipsychotic medicines for psychotic symptoms.

You may benefit from attending a self-help group (for example, Narcotics Anonymous), a support group, or a therapy group. You might be treated in a substance abuse treatment program. The healthcare providers and counselors will work with you to develop a treatment program.

How long do the effects last?

There are few known long-term effects from hallucinogens. However, "flashbacks" - times when you feel the effects of the drug again - can happen days, weeks, or even years after you stop taking the drug.

How can I take care of myself?

The best way to help yourself is to see your healthcare provider and make plans to stop taking drugs.

• Get support. Talk with family and friends. Consider joining a support group in your area.
• Learn to manage stress. Ask for help at home and work when the load is too great to handle. Find ways to relax, for example take up a hobby, listen to music, watch movies, take walks. Try deep breathing exercises when you feel stressed.
• Take care of your physical health. Try to get at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Eat a healthy diet. Limit caffeine. If you smoke, quit. Don’t use alcohol and drugs. Exercise according to your healthcare provider's instructions.
• Avoid situations where people are likely to use alcohol or drugs.
• Check your medicines. To help prevent problems, tell your healthcare provider and pharmacist about all the medicines, natural remedies, vitamins, and other supplements that you take.
• Contact your healthcare provider or therapist if you have any questions or your symptoms seem to be getting worse.

For more information, contact:

NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
Phone: 1-818-773-9999
Web site: http://www.na.org/