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Drug Addiction
LSD is the shortened version of a substance called Lysergic Acid Diethylamide. LSD was discovered in 1938 by two Swiss chemists, Arthur Stoll and Alfred Hofman. The substance comes from a fungus called ergot and produces hallucinogenic qualities when orally ingested. LSD is available in either a liquid, tablet or on a sugar cube. When taken on the tongue, LSD has a slightly bitter taste and the effects are unpredictable. Depending upon the amount of the drug taken, it can affect the user’s personality, mood, expectations and also influences the surroundings.
When taking LSD, the user is said to be “tripping” and because the drug is so unpredictable, there is no way of knowing how a person will react. A person using LSD will experience a wide array of effects which include the following:
LSD addiction develops from a psychological dependence on the drug. A user craves the high feeling experienced when taking the drug, which is part of its allure and appeal. An LSD use may experience ‘flashbacks,” which are memories of a previous experience they have had when coming down from a high. Flashbacks can occur as long as 12 months after using and a person can also develop schizophrenia and severe depression as a result of using LSD.
People who use LSD with other types of stimulant medications increase the chances of having a bad trip. Mixing the drug with ketamine is particularly dangerous because the combination can increase the feelings of disorientation in the user. While LSD does not have a particular overdose potential, mixing it with any other type of drug does increase the chances of having an adverse reaction.
People with an LSD addiction usually decrease or discontinue using over time. The drug is not considered by classic standards to be addictive, this is because users do not involve in drug-seeking behavior like a person with cocaine or alcohol addiction. People who have an LSD addiction must take continuously higher doses of the drug to experience the same intoxicating effects initially experienced.
One of the dangers of LSD addiction is a user can develop serious psychological effects over time. There have been several research studies conducted which suggest a chronic LSD user can experience irreversible damage to the portions of the brain associated with memories, coordination and decision making.
An addiction to LSD should be treated within the safety of a rehabilitation facility, under the supervision and guidance of a qualified medical staff and drug addiction specialists. Treatment should address the disease of addiction as a whole including the use of therapy, counseling and drug awareness education. The program should address the individual needs of each patient and be tailored to suit the type of addiction presenting.
If you or someone you love is facing an addiction to LSD, there is help available to you. Please contact us today for more information.
