Hallucinogen and Street Drug Addiction

Most hallucinogens don’t create a physical dependency or withdrawal symptoms, so physical addiction is impossible. (One exception is PCP, which can be highly addictive.) However, users can still develop a psychological dependency on these drugs. It’s also possible to build up a tolerance over time, leading users to increase their dosage or frequency.

Yes. Even those drugs which aren’t physically addictive can have frightening side effects. Hallucinogens warp reality for users, and some can experience “flashbacks” of their hallucinations many years after they stop using the drug. The effects on the mind can cause panic attacks or even psychotic episodes. Individual street drugs come with their own lists of dangerous side effects. For example, LSD can cause high blood pressure, fever, and muscle tremors. PCP can cause delusions, paranoia, and other effects similar to those experienced by people suffering from schizophrenia.

Hallucinogens and street drugs distort your ability to recognize reality and process the world around you. As a result, you can experience unpredictable changes in personality, mood, and surroundings. In some cases, a “trip” can induce pleasant and mentally stimulating experiences. These experiences can contribute to a psychological dependency on the drug. Unfortunately, users cannot control or predict their hallucinations and can also experience “bad trips,” which include terrifying, anxiety-inducing thoughts and feelings.

The signs of a hallucinogenic episode are much different than the “highs” associated with most drugs. If someone you know is experiencing a hallucination, their sense of reality will begin to change. They may be more relaxed and sociable. They may experience senses in unusual ways, claiming to hear colors or see sounds. Someone experiencing a bad trip can become frightened and anxious, unable to escape their hallucination.

People can use hallucinogens and street drugs in a wide variety of ways. Some drugs, such as DMT and PCP, can be swallowed as tablets or pills. Others, like peyote, can be consumed as a liquid, raw, or in a tea. Ketamine can be snorted or injected. Still other street drugs can be inhaled or smoked. LSD can even be absorbed through the lining in the mouth with paper pieces soaked in the drug.