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December 18th, 2024
LSD Addiction Treatment
What is LSD addiction treatment?
LSD addiction treatment focuses on addressing the mental and emotional aspects of LSD abuse, helping individuals understand the reasons behind their use and providing tools to cope with the triggers that lead to it.
LSD addiction treatment programmes typically offer a structured environment where individuals can safely explore the psychological effects of their LSD use, working with professionals to regain control over their behaviour.
What are the aims of LSD addiction treatment?
Below, we take a look at some of the main aims of LSD addiction treatment:
Understanding the root cause: One of the primary goals of LSD rehab is to uncover the underlying reasons that lead someone to repeatedly use LSD, whether it’s to escape emotional pain, experience heightened states of consciousness or due to peer pressure.
Building coping mechanisms: Rehab programmes aim to provide individuals with coping mechanisms to handle stress, anxiety or depression without turning to hallucinogens. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and other therapeutic approaches are often used to address these issues.
Reducing the risk of long-term psychological effects: LSD can cause lingering psychological effects such as flashbacks, anxiety or depression. Rehab aims to reduce the risk of these long-term impacts by helping individuals process and overcome any trauma or psychological stress caused by LSD use.
Preventing relapse: Rehab programmes focus on relapse prevention, equipping individuals with the skills and support systems needed to avoid returning to LSD use. This includes aftercare planning, group therapy and ongoing support.
When is the right time to choose LSD rehab?
Sometimes, it can be difficult to determine whether you can stop using LSD on your own or if it’s something you need help with. Since LSD doesn’t have physical withdrawal symptoms like other substances, it may feel as though stopping should be easy. However, frequent use can lead to psychological dependence and knowing when to seek help can be confusing.
That’s why if you’ve been using LSD frequently, it’s always a good idea to check in with yourself and assess whether your use has developed into something more concerning.
Here are six questions to consider. If you answer ‘yes’ to any of these, it might be time to seek help through an LSD rehab programme:
- Do you find yourself using LSD more frequently or in higher doses than you initially intended?
- Have you experienced negative effects in your personal, social or professional life due to your LSD use but continue to take it?
- Do you often think about or plan your next LSD trip, even when not actively using it?
- Have you tried to cut down or stop using LSD but found it difficult to do so?
- Do you feel like you need LSD to have a good time or to escape from reality?
- Have you experienced persistent flashbacks or other long-lasting psychological effects from your LSD use?
Answering ‘yes’ to any of these questions could indicate a growing dependence on LSD and may be a sign that professional help is needed.
How is an LSD rehab programme structured?
Rehab often gets a bad reputation, and for many, the idea of attending can be daunting, either due to the stigma from others or simply fear of the unknown. Rehab is a highly personal experience, which means that not many people openly share what happens there. While we can’t guarantee exactly what you’ll experience on a personal level, we can promise how our LSD addiction treatment programme is structured here at Primrose Lodge.
Initial assessment
The first step in our LSD addiction treatment programme is an initial assessment. This part is essential because it allows us to get a clear understanding of your history with LSD, your current mental and emotional state and any underlying issues that need to be addressed. It’s a chance for us to get to know you and tailor the programme to your specific needs, ensuring that you receive the best possible care from the start.
Detox (if needed)
Detox from LSD is not usually required, as the drug doesn’t cause physical withdrawal. However, if you’ve recently used LSD and are experiencing flashbacks or hallucinations or if you’re in the midst of struggling with it, this period gives us the opportunity to stabilise you. Our medical team will be there to ensure you feel safe and supported during this time, helping you regain control over your thoughts and emotions.
Therapy
Once you’re settled, the heart of our programme is therapy. We use traditional methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) to work through the underlying causes of your LSD use. In addition, we incorporate holistic therapies like yoga and art therapy to help you reconnect with yourself in a calming and therapeutic way. The goal is to uncover the root of your relationship with LSD and develop healthier coping mechanisms for the future.
Aftercare
As you move through the programme and begin transitioning back into your day-to-day life, aftercare becomes a vital part of your recovery. Aftercare serves as both a safety net and a learning tool, providing ongoing support as you adjust to life without LSD. We offer resources, counselling and group sessions to ensure that you feel confident in your recovery and equipped to maintain your progress.
What can I expect during the LSD detox period?
During the LSD detox period, you can expect a different experience compared to detoxing from substances like alcohol or opioids, which typically cause physical withdrawal symptoms. LSD isn’t known for causing such physical symptoms; however, prolonged heavy use can lead to psychological issues, one of which is Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD).
HPPD can manifest in ways that may feel unsettling or dangerous. People have reported afterimages, perception of movement in their peripheral vision, blurring of small patterns and seeing halo effects around objects. Some even experience changes in size perception, such as macropsia (objects appearing larger than they are) and micropsia (objects appearing smaller). These symptoms can create disorientation, anxiety and an altered sense of reality, which makes it difficult to function in daily life.
This is where rehab becomes crucial. In a safe environment, medical professionals can help manage and alleviate the psychological effects, offering support and treatment to guide you through the recovery process.
What’s next?
If you or a loved one is struggling with LSD addiction, Primrose Lodge is here to help. Our structured LSD addiction treatment programme provides the support you need to overcome psychological dependence and regain control of your life. With personalised assessments, therapeutic approaches and ongoing aftercare, we’re committed to guiding you through every step of recovery.
Contact Primrose Lodge today and take the first step toward a healthier, brighter future.
Frequently Asked Questions
(Click here to see works cited)
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); Office of the Surgeon General (US). Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs and Health [Internet]. Washington (DC): US Department of Health and Human Services; 2016 Nov. [Table], LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424847/table/appd.t7/
- Hermle L, Simon M, Ruchsow M, Geppert M. Hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol. 2012 Oct;2(5):199-205. doi: 10.1177/2045125312451270. PMID: 23983976; PMCID: PMC3736944.
