LSD Addiction

What is LSD Addiction?

LSD is a psychedelic drug that alters the way people perceive the world around them and their feelings. LSD is usually taken and ingested through blotter paper tabs, capsules, and liquids; its effects can last for about 6 to 12 hours.

It is known for inducing “trips,” which are experiences where users may see vivid colors, shapes, and patterns, and experience heightened emotions or sensory distortions.

Some popular street names for LSD or its slang include:

• Acid
• Lucy
• Windowpanes
• Dots
• Microdots

What does LSD look like?

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) typically comes in a variety of forms, and its appearance can vary depending on the method of preparation or consumption. Here are different forms:

• Blotter Paper (Most Common)
• Liquid Form
• Capsules or Tablets
• Gel Tabs
• Crystal LSD

How Does LSD Work?

It is a powerful hallucinogen that alters perception, thought, and emotion. Here’s how it works:

1. It stimulates 5-HT2A serotonin receptors, which alter sensory perception and mood. This causes visual hallucinations, altered thinking, and a distorted sense of time.
2. People often experience ego dissolution, where the boundary between self and the external world disappears, creating feelings of unity or confusion.
3. It increases communication between brain regions, leading to enhanced creativity, but also to a sensory overload.
4. It increases emotions, making them either euphoric or anxiety-inducing depending on the user's mindset and environment.
5. Its effects take 30 to 90 minutes to begin, peak after 2 to 4 hours, and can last up to 12 hours.

Why is LSD Addictive?

LSD is not physically addictive, but it has a very high related rate of psychological addiction. The same factors that contribute to its addictive potential now apply to several brain processes:

Dopamine System:

LSD indirectly influences dopamine, the neurotransmitter linked with pleasure and reward. This makes repeated use feel desirable, reinforcing the behavior.

Serotonin System:

The main effect of the medication on serotonin receptors is to change mood and perception, which can be quite appealing. Many users chase the euphoria or spiritual insights they embark on during trips.

Neuroplasticity:

Repeated use of LSD can rewire synaptic connections, embedding memories of experiences associated with use. These associations are enough to trigger cravings upon exposure to individuals, locations, or situations related to previous trips.

What are the Symptoms of LSD Addiction?

Following are some of the main symptoms one can look out for in LSD addiction:

Behavioral Symptoms:

• Spending a lot of time in activities necessary to obtain, use, or recover from the use of LSD
• Use of LSD despite problems created for health, work, or relationships
• Neglect of responsibilities or hobbies because of the use of LSD.
• Taking larger doses over a period to achieve the same effect
• Repeated failed attempts to quit or reduce usage
• Engaging in high-risk activities or behaviors, such as driving under the influence
• Feeling that LSD is necessary to be creative, to socialize, or to learn more about oneself

Physical Symptoms:

• Dilated pupils
• Increased heart rate and elevated blood pressure
• Nauseous feelings, dryness of the mouth, and excessive perspiration
• Trembling or weakening of muscles
• Loss of coordination and blurred vision
• Tingling feelings in the limbs
• Hallucinations, disconnection from reality
• Extreme temperature fluctuations such as sweating/chills
• In rare cases, seizures

Psychological Symptoms:

• Panic attacks and anxiety
• Depression and mood swings
• Paranoia and a very high degree of suspicion against others
• Aggression or irritability
• Suicidal thoughts

What causes LSD addiction?

Many personal, environmental, and social influences can cause one to develop this LSD addiction:

Psychological Factors:

• Mental health disorders: Anxiety and depression are the problems that could make a person turn to LSD as an escape from inner suffering.
• Curiosity and experimentation: The curiosity to try LSD often leads to getting habituated to the use.
• Escapism: The tendency to take the drug as an escape from reality or to handle stress introduces addiction dependence on LSD.

Social and Environmental Factors:

• Social influences and peer pressure: The factor of friends or the community might influence or make it seem normal to use LSD frequently.
• Spiritual or philosophical inquiry: Some people repeatedly take LSD to have spiritual insight or another state of consciousness.
• Exposure to LSD-friendly environments: The more exposed one becomes to an environment with a prevalent usage of LSD, the likelier they are to be addicted.

Genetic and traumatic factors:

• Genetic predisposition: This is said to be the highest risk factor. A person could be fighting an addiction problem just because of their genes.
• Past trauma: Individuals with previous trauma that has not been resolved may use LSD as a method of self-medication to help cope with their emotional pain. 

What are the effects of LSD addiction?

LSD addiction has been known to affect both mental and physical health, causing damage ranging from mere short-term disruptions in symptoms to long-term health risks.

Short-term Effects of LSD

Physical Effects:

• Dilated pupils
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Sweating or chills
• Dizziness and loss of coordination
• Tremors and muscle weakness
• Dry mouth and loss of appetite
• Insomnia or sleeplessness

Psychological Effects:

• Visual hallucinations and synesthesia, such as “hearing” colors.
• Distorted perception of time, space, and reality
• Mood swings from euphoria right through to panic
• Paranoia, anxiety, or fear of losing control
• Delusions and dissociation from reality.
• Impaired decision-making and judgment
• Bad trips – overwhelming fear or despair

Long-Term Effects of LSD Addiction

Mental Health Risks:

• Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD): Flashbacks or other visual disturbances may continue for more than months, even years.
• Persistent psychosis: Paranoia, disorganized thinking, and mood disorders can develop or worsen.
• Anxiety and chronic depression: Long-term use can paralyze emotional regulation.
• Detachment from reality: Difficulty differentiating between what is real and what is only imagined.

Social and Professional Consequences:

• Relationship problems due to erratic behavior or emotional instability
• Difficulty keeping a job or performing other responsibilities
• Isolation from family, friends, and social networks

For those navigating recovery or simply looking to understand the drug’s impact, it’s important to explore how long LSD stays in your system and the lasting effects it can have on the body and mind.

What makes a person addicted to LSD?

Although LSD is not physically addictive, it is possible for users to develop an addiction on a behavioral basis through repeated use. There are several personal and environmental factors that have been identified which enhance LSD addiction:

• Mental health issues: Depression, anxiety, and trauma are just some of the reasons which may lead to LSD use for managing one’s emotions.
• Escapism and self-medication: Some take LSD in order to escape from life’s problems or distasteful feelings.
• Spiritual curiosity: The possibility of mystical experiences is a factor that might attract users to regular drug consumption.
• Drug-friendly environment: The more a person finds himself attending events or living in spaces where drug use is common, the higher the temptation for its use.
• Genetic predisposition: It can make people particularly susceptible to addiction and other dangers.
• Past trauma: Unresolved trauma in a person may be ‘using’ LSD for relief of feelings, causing addiction.

What are the treatments for LSD addiction?

Treatment of LSD addiction needs to focus on the mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges faced by individuals. Though there are no specific medications available with regard to LSD addiction, there are a number of effective treatment strategies:

Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This process makes a patient aware of the triggers and changes negative thought patterns related to LSD abuse.
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): It teaches the ways of regulating emotions and coping with different situations in life that reduce impulsivity.
• Motivational Interviewing: This approach empowers the individual with the ability to reinforce motivation toward change and recovery.

Group Therapy and Support Networks

• 12-step programs: NA, Narcotics Anonymous, for example, offers peer companionship, accountability, and a feeling of belonging.
• Group counseling: It involves facilitating experiences where individuals share experiences and develop a sense of understanding, exposure, and learning of healthy coping techniques.

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Many LSD users have co-occurring mental disorders such as anxiety or depression. Dual Diagnosis Treatment covers the substance use problem and the mental health problem simultaneously to ensure better long-term outcomes.

Holistic Treatments

• Mindfulness-based therapy: Practices such as meditation and yoga help reduce stress and promote mental well-being.
• Creative therapies: Art, music, or outdoor activities offer healthy outlets for expression and healing.

Sober Living Homes

Bridges Sober Apartments LA provides a structured sober living home in Los Angeles while offering a safe and supportive environment for people recovering from addiction.

These homes provide people with a second chance at life by fostering responsibility, belonging, and sociability. Professional support helps create healthy patterns in residents to enable them to live a long-term sober life.