LSD may seem like a harmless substance to those who enjoy this substance, but it can cause a variety of effects. The long term effects of LSD have started to make themselves known in a large number of current and former users. Thankfully, the best addiction treatment center in Tacoma, WA, has to offer may help manage this situation and give a person the chance to recover.
Common Short and Long Term Effects of LSD
When a person takes a dose of LSD, a variety of effects are likely to occur. The severity of these effects depends on the amount of the drug taken: a more substantial intake will cause a more severe and long-lasting impact. Typically, a person starts to experience a variety of reactions within 20-90 minutes of receiving their dose of LSD. These effects include:
- Seeing images that aren’t there
- Hearing sounds that aren’t there
- Unexpected changes in mood, including happiness, paranoia, excitement, and fear
- Loss of appetite and even some nausea
- Impulsive behaviors that are hard to control
- Sleeplessness in spite of exhaustion
- Numbness throughout the body
- Increased heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature
These short-term effects typically wear off after 12-24 hours, though lingering remnants may stick around longer. Unfortunately, heavy users of LSD may experience long-term effects that cause a variety of issues. Just a few potential long-term effects include:
- Increased incidence of hallucinations
- Flashbacks long after taking LSD
- Fear and emotional difficulties
- Possible psychosis
- Paranoia
- Mood troubles that are hard to balance
- Disorganized thinking and inability to focus
These long term effects of LSD have been confirmed by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and can be a real problem for many individuals. As a result, it is essential to know how treatment programs like aftercare can help manage these issues – particularly the dangers of flashbacks.
The Dangers of the Acid Flashback
Acid flashbacks occur to episodes of hallucinations that occur months – or even years – after a person last took LSD. These reactions occur without warning and vary in intensity. Some individuals are at a higher risk for a flashback, but anybody who has taken LSD may experience one.
For example, the study “New Onset LSD Flashback Syndrome Triggered by the Initiation of SSRIs” found that people receiving SSRI or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors often experienced higher rates of LSD flashbacks than those who did not take these medicines for various issues.
However, acid flashbacks can occur in users without warning and may even occur after taking this substance one time. As a result, people who have taken LSD need to understand the various treatment options available and how substance abuse treatment programs can help them.
Treating This Problem
Treating the long term effects of LSD requires that a person know the warning signs of a flashback. These typically include visual and auditory hallucinations, as well as feelings of dread and paranoia. When these symptoms occur, people need to reach out to a care center for specific treatment options. Psychotherapy programs may be necessary for some people because LSD flashbacks can be very frightening.
Likewise, care options such as cognitive behavioral therapy can be beneficial for those experiencing the long term effects of LSD. This behavior adjustment method helps a person understand their hallucinations and gives them better coping mechanisms for these situations. As a result, they can walk away from the situation and, if necessary, visit a treatment center to get through this challenging period.
And while LSD is not physically addictive, the way that alcohol and opiates are too many people, their lingering presence can make them an issue even to people who tried them once. Hallucinogenic are not a safer alternative to “harder” substances and should not be treated as such. Anybody who abuses these substances runs the risk of developing short- and long-term effects.
Getting the Care That You Need
So if you or someone you love is experiencing the long term effects of LSD and needs help, please call 855.478.3650 to contact us at Bayview Recovery. At our center, you can get partial hospitalization, outpatient care, and aftercare for LSD flashbacks. With our extended care option, dual-diagnosis, trauma therapy, and amenities such as water rafting and skiing in a beautiful Pacific Northwest city, your chance of recovery is massively increased.
