Treatment for Hallucinogens & Dissociative Drug Misuse

Hallucinogens are a class of drugs that can cause effects that distort a person’s perception of reality. ^1p.1 They typically fall into two categories: classic hallucinogens like LSD and psilocybin (psychedelic mushrooms) or dissociative drugs like ketamine and PCP. ¹  Both types of drugs can produce auditory and visual hallucinations, altered thinking, and detachment from reality.^1p.1 Misusing these substances can lead to adverse health effects such as hallucinations, paranoia, psychosis, or long-term cognitive deficits.¹ However, effective, evidence-based treatments exist for substance use disorders, including hallucinogen and dissociative drug use disorders, facilitating healing and recovery. ²

What Are Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs?

Hallucinogens and dissociative drugs can temporarily alter a person’s mood, thoughts, and perception of reality. They may be derived from plants or synthetically produced.³ Along with other health effects and safety concerns, users often feel intense emotions that can range from happiness to fear, anxiety, or confusion. These types of drugs can have significant sensory effects, including a distorted sense of time and space. ³

Examples of hallucinogens include LSD, psilocybin (found in “magic” mushrooms), mescaline (peyote), and dimethyltryptamine (DMT), the psychoactive ingredient in ayahuasca. ⁴ These psychedelic drugs influence the way serotonin is processed in the brain.⁴

Dissociative drugs include ketamine and PCP. ⁴ They can cause people to feel disconnected from their bodies and their environment. Dissociative drugs act on glutamate in the brain, which affects critical processes in the brain, such as learning and memory, emotional regulation, and one’s perception of pain. ⁵

Effects of Hallucinogen and Dissociative Drugs

Psychedelic and dissociative drugs may cause multiple short-term and long-term health effects.⁶ The potency of any drug will depend on various biological factors such as age, gender, personality and mood, expectations, and mindset. ⁶ All of these factors play a role in how hallucinogens or dissociative drugs will affect a person. The effects vary widely, however, both types of drugs can produce a range of emotions.

Potential health effects of psychedelic drugs include:⁶

• Visual hallucinations like seeing vibrant colors, shapes, and scenes.
• Impaired perception of time and space.
• Various mind and mood-altering effects.
• Fear or anxiety, or positive emotional and spiritual experiences.
• Elevated heart rate and/or increased blood pressure.
• Nausea.
• Headaches.

Potential health effects of dissociative drugs include: ⁶

• Distorted vision or hearing.
• Feeling detached or disconnected from one’s body.
• Engaging in dangerous behaviors.
• Short-term psychosis.
• Higher rates of suicidal ideation.

Both drugs can cause negative interactions with various medications, though more research is needed.⁷

Common Hallucinogen and Dissociative Drugs

Both hallucinogens and dissociative drugs cause disruptions in a person’s sense of reality and impair one’s ability to communicate and think rationally.¹ Common types of hallucinogens include LSD, often referred to as acid, and psilocybin, commonly referred to as mushrooms.¹ Dissociative drugs include ketamine, which can be used as an anesthetic for humans and animals, and PCP, originally developed in the 1950s as an anesthetic used during surgery. ¹

Are Hallucinogens Addictive?

While classic hallucinogens are predominantly used to alter mental states and do not trigger compulsive drug taking, they are not considered to be addictive, however, problematic patterns of misuse can still develop.^{7, 10}Research suggests that dissociative drugs may indeed result in increases in dopamine that can make them self-reinforcing, driving continued use that can result in problematic patterns of misuse.¹⁰

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) has specific criteria for hallucinogen use disorders ranging from mild to severe, which can apply to hallucinogens and dissociative drugs as well.

The DSM-5 criteria for hallucinogen use disorder is as follows: ^{8, 11}

• Consuming the substance in larger amounts and for longer periods than intended
• Persistent desire to cut down or regulate use and unsuccessful attempts to stop
• Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using, or recovering from the effects of substance use
• Cravings for desired substance
• Substance use impairs the ability to fulfill obligations at work, school, or home
• Continued use of the substance despite it causing significant social or interpersonal problems
• Reduced recreational, social, or occupational activities because of substance use
• Recurrent substance use in unsafe environments
• Persistent substance use despite knowledge that it may cause or exacerbate physical or psychological problems
• Tolerance, or needing to use more of a substance to achieve the desired effect.

Help for Hallucinogen Use & Misuse

There is help available for hallucination addiction and dissociative drug misuse. Treatment should be individualized to meet each person’s specific needs. There are different types of treatment settings, which include: ⁹

• Inpatient treatment: Typically for people with severe SUD who need 24-hour care for their mental health and/or addiction treatment.
• Residential treatment: Typically spans from a few weeks to several months, depending on the severity of the condition being treated. These programs can vary in focus, with some aimed at preparing people with severe mental health conditions for community living, while others specialize in helping those overcoming substance use disorders.
• Partial hospitalization program: This program is for those requiring more intensive treatment than traditional outpatient or intensive outpatient programs (IOP) but does not need 24/7 supervision in inpatient/residential settings. PHP programs can be up to 6 hours per day.
• Intensive outpatient program: Structured outpatient treatment that is often 3 hours per day, 3 days per week. Typically includes individual and group counseling.
• Outpatient treatment: Usually, a weekly appointment with a therapist is needed to stay engaged in the recovery process. Best for those who can keep weekly appointments and have already completed higher levels of care or have a mild SUD and don’t require more treatment.

Where Can I Learn More about Hallucinogen Treatment?

Treatment for hallucinogen misuse or addiction typically involves a comprehensive approach tailored to the person’s needs, which may include detoxification, behavioral therapy (such as cognitive-behavioral therapy), support groups, and holistic treatments to address psychological and behavioral aspects. Rehabs.com offers a comprehensive treatment directory where people can find information on specialized facilities and programs that focus on hallucinogen addiction.

American Addiction Centers (AAC) addiction helpline can provide personalized guidance and support. The helpline connects people with compassionate staff who can answer questions about hallucinogens, including LSD, and answer questions about available treatment options. They can also verify insurance benefits. Asking for help can be the first step in overcoming addiction to hallucinogens and dissociative drugs and achieving sustained recovery.