What Are Hallucinogens?
A hallucinogen is a drug that distorts a person’s perceptions of reality. Hallucinogens may be found in naturally occurring plants or can be laboratory-created. There are two types of hallucinogens:
- Psychedelics – These include mushrooms, LSD, mescaline, and peyote. The result of using these drugs is an increase in the processing of everything in a user’s environment. This means they will feel as if they are unfiltered and feeling their world completely.
- Dissociatives – These include ketamine, salvia, and PCP. Using these drugs involves an out-of-body experience that deprives the user of certain sensory perceptions.
Each hallucinogen presents its results by affecting different parts of the user’s brain chemistry.
Addiction
Although there are people utilizing hallucinogens for medical and religious purposes, there is quite a number that cannot regulate their use. These individuals often encounter their addiction through a first-time casual use that turns into an inability to stop using.
Hallucinogen addiction can be challenging for people to admit, as hallucinogens are commonly used recreationally. However, hallucinogens are highly addictive, and those with addictive tendencies may fall prey to them more easily. Moreover, people may find that they can only “feel” how they want to when using drugs. In these cases, the person may begin to believe they cannot be the same fun person they can be when using hallucinogens.
The fact is that hallucinogens can take hold of someone quickly and quietly. When using hallucinogens, a person may see themselves as only experimenting. The person may also chalk any side effects to just being part of the ride. However, it should be noted that people who use hallucinogens regularly will begin to develop a tolerance. This tolerance leads to a need for higher doses to find the same effects. If left untreated, the momentary disconnect that the drugs provide turns into long-term mental health issues.
Treatments
The treatment for hallucinogen addiction is twofold. Treatment will involve therapy, both group and individual, as well as medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This approach will remove some of the anxiety associated with coming off a regular amount of hallucinogens while delving into the reasons for continued use.
Medical professionals will ensure that not only are people learning about the origins of their addiction but also making strides to deal with any physical side effects of prolonged use.
Benefits of Hallucinogen Addiction Treatment
There are numerous benefits to committing to addiction treatment. The first is that it shows a willingness to admit to your issues. This step can often be the most challenging part. However, it can be empowering to know that you will no longer allow yourself to be burdened by addiction and that you are taking back control of your life. A person struggling with a substance addiction must remember this affirmation and hold onto it during difficult moments in treatment.
Once treatment begins, you will eventually learn to rediscover the experiences and emotions initially thought to only come from hallucinogens. Help can be found with the assistance of medical professionals and group therapy. You will gradually understand that the need for hallucinogens does not involve actual reality and that real positive emotions and experiences can be found elsewhere.
