Hallucinogen Addiction Treatment in New York

Hallucinogen abuse can be a frightening and harmful experience, often leading to intense hallucinogenic effects like terrifying hallucinations, paranoia, and even heart failure. These drugs can severely impact a person’s mental health, physical well-being, personal relationships, and professional life.

For many hallucinogen users, addiction can be a lonely and isolating ordeal. But if you’re battling an addiction to any types of hallucinogens, you don’t have to face it alone.

New York offers excellent treatment options for addiction disorders, including support for those experiencing hallucinogen abuse. Available resources include inpatient treatment programs, residential recovery centers, emergency hotlines, and counseling sessions. The help you need is always just a phone call away.

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Understanding Hallucinogen Addiction

A hallucinogen, also called a psychedelic, is a drug that can change the way you perceive the world. It can affect your thoughts, emotions, and the ways in which you process reality.

What Are Hallucinogens?

Hallucinogens can be either synthetic or natural; organic kinds, such as peyote cactus, magic mushrooms (containing psilocybin), and ayahuasca, come from specific fungi and plants. These drugs produce their effects by interfering with the brain’s chemical networks, often altering perceptions and reality.

Specifically, hallucinogens frequently affect the neurotransmitters serotonin and glutamate, which help regulate a person’s moods, feelings, sensory perceptions, and responses to the outside world. Examples of hallucinogens include lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and MDMA (ecstasy, or molly). Another group of hallucinogens, known as dissociative drugs, can make people feel like they’re leaving their own bodies. Angel dust (PCP), DXM, and ketamine (or special K) all belong to this category.

Throughout history, numerous cultures have used psychedelic drugs like peyote and shrooms in ceremonial contexts to promote healing and spiritual experiences. More recently, medical researchers are investigating the potential of safe, controlled doses of substances like psilocybin and mescaline (found in peyote) to treat anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

Nevertheless, these drugs can be very dangerous and are almost always illegal to possess in the U.S.

Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Hallucinogen Usage

In the short term, people who take hallucinogenic drugs often experience vivid hallucinations: They can see and hear all kinds of things that aren’t real.

These episodes are often called trips. A “good” trip seems like a pleasant experience. It might involve, for instance, viewing beautiful colors and patterns as well as mystical and soothing sensations.

A bad trip, on the other hand, can be horrifying. People might see, for example, demonic and violent images all around them — perceptions that are utterly realistic. Naturally, these sights can induce panic and paranoia.

Various factors can lead to a bad trip, including unfamiliar environments, negative thoughts, and overstimulation. In some cases, the chemical makeup of a person’s brain is simply more susceptible to a bad trip.

In any event, there can be severe physical consequences to using hallucinogens. And, depending on the dosages and the frequency of usage, those side effects could persist.

The risks and symptoms include the following:

  • an increased heart rate
  • high blood pressure
  • insomnia
  • amnesia
  • panic attacks
  • blurred vision
  • dizziness
  • appetite suppression
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • tremors
  • seizures
  • breathing difficulties
  • muscle weakness

Some of these problems can even lead to death.

Furthermore, repeated use of hallucinogens can cause social isolation, alienation from friends and loved ones, career failures, and severe financial losses.

Are Hallucinogens Addictive?

While medical research shows that hallucinogenic drugs may not be as chemically addictive as substances like alcohol and opioids, some types of hallucinogens do possess addictive properties. Psychological dependence on these drugs is also common among hallucinogen users, who may fear living without them or believe that hallucinating is essential for managing daily stress and anxiety.

The Importance of Professional Treatment for Hallucinogen Addiction

If you think you might be addicted to a hallucinogen, you should contact an addiction specialist right away. Generally speaking, the longer a person waits to seek professional help, the harder the addiction is to overcome.

Addiction disorder specialists can provide you with proven treatment methods. Plus, they can create a customized recovery plan for you, one that’s tailored to your specific circumstances and physical condition. As a result, your treatment will be much more effective.

By contrast, trying to beat addiction alone is usually ineffective, and it can be very painful. Without professional assistance, it’s hard to deal with the anxiety, depression, and self-control issues that frequently come with substance withdrawal. The pressure can feel overwhelming, and relapses are a constant danger.

What does hallucinogen addiction treatment entail? It might be handled on an outpatient or inpatient basis. And, as mentioned, treatment programs vary from patient to patient. But these methods are common:

Medical Detox

For many patients, the first step in addiction recovery is a medical detoxification, a process that can take several days to complete.

A detox is when someone, under the supervision of a licensed professional, abstains from a particular addictive substance. During that period, the person’s body will totally eliminate this substance from its system, along with any accompanying toxins.

During a detox, a team of caregivers will monitor the patient’s progress, treat any withdrawal symptoms, and offer emotional support. And, if necessary, round-the-clock care will be provided.

Rehab

After detox, patients can begin the long process of rehabilitating their lives and overall health.

Therapy is crucial to many rehab programs. It lets people discover the roots of their substance abuse disorders and change the thought patterns and behaviors that feed into addiction.

During individual sessions, a licensed therapist will delve into a patient’s emotions, personal beliefs, and struggles with addiction. Over time, the therapist will help the person understand and contextualize the addiction. The patient will also gain greater control over substance-related cravings and triggers.

For their part, group therapy sessions give patients a safe space to support, nurture, and learn from one another. When everyone within a group shares their travails, no one has to feel isolated. Instead, addiction recovery can become a hopeful, maybe even joyful, communal experience.

Even after a patient leaves a treatment center, the rehabilitation process can continue. One way to keep making progress is to meet with a recovery coach.

Though they’re not licensed therapists, recovery coaches support patients as they keep avoiding certain substances. These coaches supply tips and strategies for preventing relapses. And, should the need arise, they can reconnect patients with their recovery specialists.

Medications

In many instances, addiction disorder patients take prescription medications. For example, doctors sometimes prescribe methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone for opioid use disorder.

However, the FDA has not yet approved any drugs to help people overcome hallucinogen addictions. Even so, a person might take prescription painkillers or other medications to treat certain hallucinogenic side effects.

Mid Hudson Addiction Recovery’s Approach to Hallucinogen Addiction Treatment

The state of New York has long been known for its excellent substance use disorder and drug addiction treatment centers. Mid Hudson Addiction Recovery epitomizes this outstanding legacy of care, specializing in hallucinogen addiction treatment to help young adults and others struggling with substance use.

At Mid Hudson, patients receive thorough medical screenings, personalized treatment plans tailored to their unique needs, and compassionate care focused on both behavioral health and physical well-being. The center combines traditional therapies with holistic practices, allowing doctors, therapists, and counselors to address every aspect of a patient’s life and foster a well-rounded recovery.

The environment at Mid Hudson Addiction Recovery is especially conducive to recovery. The center is attractive, peaceful, and clean—inside and out—and equipped with state-of-the-art technology to support treatment. Every element of the facility is designed to promote healing and wellness.

Professional help is key to a successful recovery from hallucinogen addiction and other substance use disorders. Trained, licensed, and experienced healthcare providers at Mid Hudson will design a course of treatment that’s both effective and manageable. They’ll support you in avoiding obstacles, overcoming depression and anxiety, and achieving each milestone in your recovery journey.

Take the first step on your path to recovery by contacting Mid Hudson Addiction Recovery for a confidential consultation. From that moment on, you’ll never be alone in your fight against drug use and addiction.