LSD is different from that of other drugs because LSD isn’t addictive and doesn’t have any official withdrawal symptoms. Are you worried that you or someone close to you is addicted to LSD? Help is at hand. Here we tell you a little about LSD, what to look out for and how we can get you or a loved one the best possible treatment.
What is LSD addiction?
LSD, or Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, derives from ergot, a fungus that grows wild on rye and other grasses. LSD is a hallucinogenic drug, i.e. a drug that causes profound distortions in an individual’s perception of reality and objects. People feel things, see images and hear sounds that don’t really exist. An LSD “trip” can be good or bad and can be affected by how you’re feeling and who you’re with. It can start between 20 minutes to an hour after taking the drug and can last for 12 hours. Once the trip’s begun, nothing can stop it. Unlike many drugs, LSD is not physically addictive. However, users can become psychologically dependent on LSD. Its high can become a distraction and an escape from reality. LSD is usually taken orally as tiny squares of paper, liquid or pellets. Street names for LSD include acid, cheer, dots, drop, L, lightning flash, tab and trips.
Signs, symptoms and risks of LSD addiction
Look out for dilated pupils, rambling or strange speech, mood swings, sweating, erratic behaviour and disorientation as signs that someone is taking LSD. There is no evidence to suggest that LSD does any long-term physical damage but it can have serious implications for a user who has a history of mental illness. It may also be responsible for triggering mental health problems. A big risk of LSD addiction is that a trip can have very frightening effects. Panic can set in and bad trips can be terrifying. Flashbacks can happen with the user re-living trips after the original experience.
Treating LSD addiction
LSD addiction treatment is based more on psychological treatment than on physical, addressing the longing to reuse and the hallucinations. At Addiction Helper, we’ll advise you on all the options for recovering from LSD addiction, and provide you and your family with all the support you need.