People take drugs for many reasons. Some do it as part of their medical treatment. Some do it recreationally. Others use drugs because they believe doing so will allow them to reach a point of enlightenment.

One of the drugs that people take to become more enlightened is LSD. However, using LSD can lead to addiction and not enlightenment. So, when a person develops an addiction, they may require help to stop using LSD.

Liberty Home can help if you or someone you love is struggling with LSD use. Our comprehensive treatment can help many people overcome substance addiction.

LSD Addiction Treatment at Liberty Home

Liberty Home’s treatment options are divided between two centres, each one offering support for different parts of the recovery journey.

Primary Treatment

Liberty Home’s inpatient treatment centre in Cape Town, South Africa, offers patients intensive support and treatment for substance use, including LSD use. While in our inpatient rehab, staff will be available 24/7 to support our patients. The centre offers substance abuse and mental health services for those with co-occurring disorders, as addiction and mental health invariably go hand-in-hand.

While this centre does not offer a detox programme, our staff does collaborate.

How We Treat LSD Addiction

Many people are addicted to LSD, and our substance abuse treatment is designed to give them comprehensive care and support so they can recover. Our drug addiction treatment includes:

CBT is a dynamic form of therapy that can be adapted to numerous substance use and mental health disorders. It can help LSD users by helping them identify and change the thought patterns that can contribute to their drug use.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Originally developed as a treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder, Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) has proven to be a flexible form of treatment. It can aid those dealing with an addiction to LSD by assisting them in developing their skills in four key areas: mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. DBT can help individuals find balance in their lives, leading to a decrease in dependence on illicit substances.

Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT)

Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a form of treatment that is primarily used in trauma therapy. It can help people process traumatic memories. It can help those struggling with addiction by assisting them to healthily deal with trauma that may contribute to their addictive behaviours.

EMDR Therapy

While there are many users who want to get treatment for LSD use and get better, some people may be ambivalent or even apathetic towards recovery. MI can help them resolve these mixed feelings through open dialogue. Not only can it help resolve mixed feelings regarding recovery, but it can also help motivate a person towards getting better.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

What Is LSD?

Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent hallucinogenic substance. It is well-known for having profound effects on perception, mood, and thought processes. LSD is typically taken orally, often on small squares of blotter paper, but can also be found in liquid form or as a powder.

When taken, LSD can alter a person’s sense and sensations, often referred to as ‘trips.’

A person ‘tripping’ on LSD can experience visual and auditory distortions, enhanced sensory perception, and an altered sense of time. Users may see vibrant colours, patterns, and shapes, even with closed eyes.

LSD was first synthesised in 1938. Its use became widespread during the 1960s counterculture movement, which contributes to its association with that era.

Signs Of LSD Addiction

There are a number of signs that can indicate the use of LSD. A prominent sign is a preoccupation with LSD. The drug will be their highest priority and will occupy most, if not all, of their thoughts.

This preoccupation can also cause them to neglect their responsibilities and relationships as they’d rather spend their time and energy on LSD abuse instead of work, school, or social interaction.

Many people who engage in substance abuse can also become secretive as they try to hide their LSD use. Physically, LSD addiction can lead to weight loss. People struggling with LSD addiction can also have mood swings and changes in their sleeping patterns.

People who use LSD can be affected by a variety of short-term effects other than the previously mentioned 'tripping.'

Individuals might feel euphoria, heightened creativity, or deep introspection. Despite this desirable effect, LSD can also induce anxiety, paranoia, and confusion. Users often find it challenging to distinguish between reality and hallucinations, leading to potentially risky behaviour.

LSD can dilate pupils, increase heart rate, elevate blood pressure, and cause sweating. Nausea and chills are also common. The intensity and nature of these effects can vary widely based on the dosage, the user’s mental health, and the environment in which the drug is taken. The unpredictability of these experiences makes LSD particularly risky to take.

Short-Term Effects of LSD Addiction

Like any form of drug abuse, one of the most concerning effects of long-term LSD use is developing a tolerance. When a person develops a tolerance, they need to take more of the drug in order to get the high that they want. While this is not a major concern with LSD, as LSD overdoses are rare, tolerance is still concerning.

Long-term LSD use can also cause a person to develop mental illnesses such as depression or anxiety. These conditions can also be exacerbated if a person already has these conditions. Long-term use, especially if a person uses high doses, can also cause a person to develop psychosis.

Chronic LSD use can also cause a person to develop persistent sleep disorders such as insomnia, which can lead to other physical and mental health issues. Repeated use of LSD can also cause a person to develop cardiovascular problems, especially if a person already has underlying heart problems.

Long-Term Effects of LSD Use

Health Risks of LSD

While LSD is not considered a physically addictive drug, there are still a number of ways that it can impact a user’s health. This form of drug addiction can elevate a person’s heart rate and blood pressure, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems. The insomnia that LSD causes can morph into chronic sleep issues.

LSD can also cause numerous mental health issues. High doses of LSD, or long-term misuse, can result in psychosis. Some LSD ‘trips’ can also become so intense that a user may become unable to distinguish between what is real and what is an illusion.

Some people who use LSD can also have distressing flashbacks, and they may develop Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), which is when the flashbacks reoccur long after the drug’s other effects have worn off.

LSD Withdrawal Symptoms and Timeline

LSD is not physically addictive. Because of that, physical withdrawal symptoms are rare.

With that said, many users may experience psychological withdrawal symptoms. They have increased anxiety, depression, mood swings, increased irritability, and they may become restless. Insomnia and vivid dreams are also common and can disrupt a person’s sleep. They may also struggle with a general feeling of tiredness and lack of energy.

When it comes to the withdrawal timeline, the first few days after the last dose of LSD can bring the aforementioned heightened anxiety, mood swings, and difficulty sleeping.

Emotional instability and fatigue may persist over the next one or two weeks when in detox from LSD, although sleep patterns usually begin to improve at this point. After roughly a fortnight of withdrawal, the majority of psychological symptoms begin to subside, though some users can continue to experience lingering anxiety or mood changes.

Seek Help for LSD
Addiction With Us

Addiction can be lonely. Some people can blame the person struggling with addiction and distance themselves as if addiction were a transmittable disease. In other cases, some people may withdraw from their social circles.

Even if a person’s loved ones are present and supportive, they may not fully understand what the reality of addiction and recovery is. However, the treatment providers at Liberty Home are in recovery themselves. If recovery is possible for them, it’s possible for you or your loved one as well.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Many Counselling Sessions Do Patients Receive Per Week?

Patients receive 2-3 counselling sessions per week.rugs, synthetic drugs, Xanax, and LSD (hallucinogens).

What Conditions Are Treated Using EMDR?

EMDR is used to treat trauma and PTSD symptoms, anxiety, depression, OCD, chronic pain, substance use disorders, and other distressing life experiences

Is Liberty Home Clinic Pet-Friendly?

No, Liberty Home Clinic is not pet-friendly.

Can You Overdose on LSD?

Overdosing on LSD is incredibly rare, even when using large amounts. That said, a slim possibility does not mean that something is impossible.

How Addictive is LSD?

LSD is not physically addictive. However, psychological addiction is prevalent. The hallucinogenic effects can reinforce the desire to use the drug again.