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 at Ocean Recovery

At Ocean Recovery, we typically follow a 4-stage programme for LSD addiction treatment.

1. Admissions Assessment Stage

When deciding to reach out to our 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 we make the admissions process as simple and stress-free as possible.

Our admissions coordinators will 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 our doctor, which can be done over the phone, or we can provide an in-person evaluation if you prefer face-to-face. Once the doctor has cleared you to start, the addiction recovery staff will go over your treatment plan and any additional information you may need to be aware of upon 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 settling into our rehab, 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 our 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 is where we can treat the more psychological effects of LSD addiction through multiple therapies and frequent 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.

Therapies we offer 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. We provide literature and further study from medical professionals.
• 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. Our variety of options caters to many different individuals who might find certain therapies more effective than others.

4. Aftercare Treatment

We particularly pride ourselves on maintaining clients’ health even after treatment through our aftercare programme.

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.

We provide 12 months of free aftercare treatment weekly, helping you to identify and avoid triggers which could cause relapse. The team is made up of several medical professionals who are available on call to provide further advice and support when under pressure from relapse.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment Programmes at Ocean Recovery

Dual diagnosis is when an individual experiences a mental health disorder alongside their addiction. This is commonly recognised at Ocean Recovery and is offered to 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 is also common within the facility, which manifests as multiple substance use for those suffering from mental disorders.

With multiple combinations of diagnoses, our residential courses of treatment are designed to be personal to suit your needs.