LSD Addiction Treatment

LSD Addiction and Health Implications

LSD, Lysergic acid diethylamide, also known as acid, can potentially have long-lasting effects with a single use. LSD can cause more than visual hallucinations and heightened sensitivity, including a decline in mental health and long-term perceptual changes.

With a drug that has such a high risk, it’s important to be able to recognise when recreational use advances into drug addiction.

Signs of LSD Addiction

• Increased tolerance – the more LSD you take, the more you might feel the need to replicate the same effects every time.
• Continuous obtaining and abuse – sustained LSD use that disrupts everyday life may suggest a problematic compulsion.
• Continuous harm – if risks are not recognised, it could cause injury and damage to mental health.

A study suggests some severe symptoms of LSD addiction can include:

• Prolonged Schizophrenic Psychosis – losing touch with reality and chronic mental illness.
• Post-hallucinogen Perceptual Disorder – ongoing visual disturbances even without being under the influence.

Though in small doses people can experience a sense of euphoria, with prolonged use of LSD, these hallucinations can cause dangerous psychopathology in vulnerable individuals, which shouldn’t be taken lightly.

The study states that Post-hallucinogen Perceptual Disorder can persist for up to 5 years after use, which is why it’s so important to recognise LSD addiction and get help as soon as possible.

LSD Addiction Treatment

A typical LSD addiction treatment pathway may involve a 4-stage programme for LSD addiction treatment, depending on your assessment and clinical needs.

1. Admissions Assessment Stage

When deciding to reach out to LSD addiction treatment services, the assessment stage is all about getting to know you and your struggles with LSD misuse.

As touched on before, there can be many elements to your LSD addiction, so it’s important to be able to pinpoint the struggles you may be experiencing. Reaching out can be the most difficult step in recovery, even if it’s for a loved one, so the admissions process should be as simple and stress-free as possible.

Admissions coordinators can run through a free pre-admissions screening questionnaire asking about your health, home circumstances and level of drug use. This isn’t an interrogation process, and everything discussed will be highly confidential, taking around 20 minutes.

Next, we will organise a consultation between yourself and a doctor, which can be done over the phone, or an in-person evaluation can be arranged if face-to-face support is preferred. Once the doctor has cleared you to start, the treatment team can outline the next steps and any additional information you may need before arrival.

As inpatient treatments are not commonly offered through public health organisations, there will be a financial aspect to consider when seeking treatment, meaning this assessment will include an initial deposit.

2. Detoxification Stage

After arriving at the selected rehabilitation service, the first step in your recovery is a detox. To ease you into this stage, you’ll likely be medically induced, which will allow you to wean off any drugs that might still be in your system whilst also treating the withdrawal symptoms.

Common LSD withdrawal symptoms might include:

• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Depression
• Insomnia
• Flashbacks
• Moodswings

Depending on the person, the detox stage usually lasts between 7 and 10 days. Discomfort during this time can be reduced with around-the-clock medical support from clinical staff.

As soon as we feel your symptoms have improved or stopped altogether, we begin 1-to-1 counselling in order to introduce you to the rehabilitation stage of treatment. This stage can address the psychological effects of LSD addiction through appropriate therapies and counselling.

3. Rehabilitation Stage

LSD addiction treatment is optimised with a range of psychological therapies. Here, you’ll be able to discuss your experience with LSD at length in a safe and confidential space.

Therapy options may include:

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – focuses on thoughts and behaviours; CBT can prevent distortions and help reframe your state of mind, encouraging a positive attitude.
• Relapse Prevention – by looking into signs of emotional relapse and common triggers, this programme builds in safeguards to prevent relapse from occurring in the first place.
• Group Therapy – involves working with a fully trained and licensed therapist alongside others who are struggling with their addiction.
• Addiction Counselling – designed for all types of addictions to assist long-term recovery.
• Psychoeducation – creates the opportunity to learn more about your addiction. Literature and further study from medical professionals may be provided.
• Activities – made up of daily walks, meditation and yoga sessions.

By working through a range of therapies, you can gain a better insight into your addiction, helping you to understand your triggers and how to prevent relapse as well as developing long-term coping methods. Therapy choices can be tailored to individual needs and preferences.

4. Aftercare Treatment

Aftercare planning can support clients’ health and wellbeing after treatment.

Due to one of the major effects of LSD addiction being its psychological after-effects, aftercare can be a crucial part of LSD addiction treatment.

Aftercare may include ongoing support to help identify and avoid triggers that could cause relapse. Availability and duration will depend on the selected service and individual needs.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programmes

Dual diagnosis is when an individual experiences a mental health disorder alongside their addiction. This can be assessed as part of an individual’s wider treatment plan, with support arranged through the most appropriate service for both inpatients and outpatients.

Conditions such as anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder can all be intertwined with substance abuse. Polysubstance use can also occur alongside mental health difficulties and may need to be considered in the treatment plan.

With multiple combinations of diagnoses, Residential courses of treatment can be tailored to individual needs.