Mixing LSD & Alcohol

For many people, their substance misuse involves more than one substance. Those who find themselves misusing substances like LSD and alcohol at the same time can put themselves at risk for experiencing serious and potentially fatal outcomes.

It is important to be aware of the risks that LSD and alcohol can cause when they are combined. If you or someone you love are struggling with the misuse of either of these substances, read on to learn more about the effects of mixing LSD and alcohol, the dangers that you may be at risk for, and how you can get help.

What is LSD?

LSD (D-lysergic acid diethylamide) is a mind-altering hallucinogen that can profoundly alter a person’s mood, perception, and awareness of the world around them.¹ Though their precise mechanism of action isn’t fully understood, many classic hallucinogens such as LSD are thought to disrupt certain types of brain communication through their influence on serotonin neurotransmission.¹

Some people who use LSD (also commonly referred to as “acid”) drink alcohol, a central nervous system depressant, at the same time. Separately, LSD and alcohol have several adverse effects; together, the interaction between the substances is potentially unpredictable.²

Polysubstance Abuse: Acid and Alcohol

Polysubstance use (also referred to as concurrent substance use, co-occurring substance use, simultaneous substance use, and polydrug use) refers to when 2 or more drugs are used simultaneously, either intentionally or unintentionally.^2,3

People may use LSD and alcohol together for various reasons, such as to combat or enhance the effects of 1 or both substances and to escape from stress.^3,4 Often, polysubstance use such as this takes place merely because a person wants to experience the novel effects of the particular substance combination.²

Dangers of Mixing LSD and Alcohol

Separately, LSD and alcohol can have several adverse effects. When two substances are used together, the combined effects can be dangerous and unpredictable.² For example, LSD could alter the perceived effects of alcohol, making a person more likely to drink heavily and ultimately increasing a person’s risk of dangerous levels of alcohol intoxication or alcohol overdose, which can be fatal.^1,5

The Short and Long-Term Effects of LSD and Alcohol

A hallmark effect of LSD is hallucinations, which involve a person feeling sensations, hearing sounds, and seeing images that do not exist.¹ The effects of the drug are typically felt between 20-90 minutes after someone takes LSD and can last up to 12 hours.¹ People who use hallucinogens often refer to the experiences brought on by LSD and other drugs as “trips.”¹

In addition to hallucinations, LSD and other classic hallucinogens may have other short-term effects including:¹

• Increased blood pressure.
• Increased breathing and heart rate.
• Increased body temperature.
• Sweating.
• Loss of appetite.
• Nausea.
• Dry mouth.
• Decreased coordination.
• Relaxation.
• Altered sense of time.
• Sensory distortions (such as seeing brighter colors than normal).
• Spiritual experiences.
• Bizarre behavior.
• Temporary psychotic features, such as paranoid delusions.

Alcohol is a commonly used intoxicating substance that has a variety of potential short- and long-term effects. The short-term effects of alcohol vary depending on several factors including a person’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC), alcohol tolerance, gender, weight, and more.^6,7

The short-term effects of alcohol can differ as a person’s BAC rises and may include:^6,7

• Feelings of relaxation.
• Drowsiness.
• Slurred speech.
• Impaired balance, coordination, and motor skills.
• Increased risk of injury (e.g., from a car accident or fall).
• Poor judgment.
• Increased risk of dangerous behaviors (e.g., driving while intoxicated and unprotected sex).
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Memory blackouts.
• Decreased levels of alertness.
• Loss of consciousness.
• Coma.
• Death.

Research on the long-term effects of LSD is limited. However, while rare, hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD) and persistent psychosis have been associated with the use of certain hallucinogens.¹ A person with a history of mental illness may be more likely to develop HPPD or persistent psychosis, although they can occur in anyone, even if a person uses LSD or another hallucinogen just once, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.¹

Alcohol can lead to the development of several serious long-term health issues including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, stroke, liver disease, mental health conditions including anxiety and depression, and an increased risk of developing various cancers.⁸

LSD, Alcohol, and Addiction

Though its use can become problematic for some people, LSD is not considered addictive in the same way that some other substances, such as opioids, are. With LSD use, people do not typically develop the compulsive, drug-seeking behaviors that characterize addiction.¹

Unlike LSD, chronic use of alcohol can lead to addiction, a condition commonly diagnosed as an alcohol use disorder (AUD). An AUD is a chronic but treatable medical condition characterized by ongoing, compulsive drinking despite alcohol’s negative consequences.^5,9 If someone is struggling with alcohol use, professional alcohol addiction treatment can help.

Getting Help

Mixing substances like LSD and alcohol is never safe because the effects of combining drugs can be wildly unpredictable and could even increase the likelihood of certain life-threatening situations.²

If you are struggling with LSD and alcohol misuse or addiction, having a conversation with your doctor can be a great way to start the search for a treatment center. You can also use our treatment locator tool to find addiction rehab near you.

You can also look at the facilities listed below to see if they provide the program you are looking for:

• California: Laguna Treatment Center
• Florida: Recovery First Treatment Center
• Florida: River Oaks Treatment Center
• Nevada: Desert Hope Treatment Center
• Mississippi: Oxford Treatment Center
• Texas: Greenhouse Treatment Center

American Addiction Centers can help you recover from substance misuse or addiction. Call to learn about your treatment options. It’s confidential and free, and there is no obligation to enter treatment.

Does Insurance Cover Alcohol and LSD Addiction Rehabs?

For those who have insurance, using health insurance to pay for rehab should cover at least some of the cost of addiction treatment. Depending on your individual insurance plan, treatment at a specific facility may or may not be covered. It’s important that you know what is covered prior to attending a rehab. Use the free online insurance coverage checker tool below to find out if your health insurance provides coverage for addiction rehab and other rehabilitation treatment plans for substance abuse recovery.

Coverage may vary depending on your needs and insurance plan. To find out if your policy covers rehab, click here, or fill out the form below. Your information is kept 100% confidential. You can also click here to find a rehab near me.