Hallucinogenic Drugs and Dual Recovery How do hallucinogenic drugs like Marijuana, Ecstasy, and Acid affect mental health?
What comes to mind when you hear about “Hallucinogens?”
Hallucinogenic drugs… Alter perception of reality Cause hallucinations Alter the senses (touch, taste, smell, sound, sight)
Hallucinogenic Substances (synthetic and organic) Marijuana: THC (Cannabinoid) “Ecstasy:” MDMA (Hallucinogen) LSD: “Acid” (Hallucinogen) Mescaline: of Peyote Cactus (Hallucinogen) “Magic Mushrooms:” Psilocybin (Hallucinogen) PCP: “Angel dust” (Phencyclidine)
Marijuana (Cannabis) Obtained from hemp plant, active ingredient is THC Most widely used illicit psychoactive drug in US 32% people ever used (1996 survey) Intoxication: minutes to 3-4hrs
Effects of Marijuana Health Bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer (more carcinogens that tobacco) Immunosuppressant Impotence and infertility
Effects of Marijuana Health Increased heart rate and blood pressure Impaired coordination and movement Increased appetite Weight gain; overeating and reduced physical activity
Effects of Marijuana Feelings “High,” euphoria (during intoxication) Anxiety; mild to Panic Attacks Irritable or anxious mood (during withdrawal)
Effects of Marijuana Thinking Hallucinations; auditory, visual, tactile Difficulty concentrating Paranoid ideation; suspiciousness to delusional beliefs
Effects of Marijuana Behavior Poor grooming and routine Decreased responsiveness to others Disorganization Social withdrawal, isolation Apathy, lack of motivation
Influence of Marijuana on Depression Depression Social withdrawal Isolation Positive peer support
Influence of Marijuana on Bipolar Disorder Mood swings Irritability Sleeplessness
Influence of Marijuana on Schizophrenia Hallucinations Delusions Paranoia, suspiciousness Apathy, amotivation Isolation, social withdrawal
“Ecstasy” (MDMA) 10% people ever used (1996 survey) Intoxication: minutes to a few hours or days Banned in 1985 Derivative of anesthetic
LSD (“Acid”) Most powerful hallucinogen Soaked into paper, tablet, crystalline, or tablet 10% people ever used (1996 survey) Intoxication: minutes to a few hours or days
Mescaline (from Peyote Cactus) Derived from plants or other sources in nature Smoked or eaten 10% people ever used (1996 survey) Intoxication: minutes to a few hours or days
“Magic Mushrooms” (Psilocybin) Derived from plants or other sources in nature 10% people ever used (1996 survey) Intoxication: minutes to a few hours or days
Effects of Hallucinogens Health Elevated body temperature Increased heart rate and blood pressure Appetite loss Memory loss Headaches Nausea Sweating Sleeplessness
Effects of Hallucinogens Feelings Amplification of senses (smell, touch, taste, sound, sight) Merging of senses Anxiety, panic (“bad trips”), flashbacks cause intense fear over loss of control
Effects of Hallucinogens Thinking Alteration of thinking and self-awareness Anxiety and panic (“bad trips”), flashbacks Confusion Suspicion
Effects of Hallucinogens Behavior Lack of insight and judgment; jumping out of the window out of the belief that one could “fly” Aggression and violence
Influence of Hallucinogens on Depression Anxiety Fatigue Isolation and social withdrawal Depression
Influence of Hallucinogens on Bipolar Disorder Sleeplessness Routine, schedule Mood swings Restlessness
Influence of Hallucinogens on Schizophrenia Hallucinations Paranoia Delusions Isolation and social withdrawal
Dual Recovery from Hallucinogenic Drugs
Dual Recovery Implications (from Stress-Vulnerability Model*) 1. Take psychiatric meds as prescribed 2. Avoid substance use 3. Increase coping skills 4. Increase social support 5. Engage in meaningful activities * Mueser, K. et al (2003). Integrated Treatment for Dual Disorders: A guide to effective practice. The Guilford Press: New York
1.Take psychiatric medications as prescribed Effective at decreasing severity of symptoms Effective at preventing symptom relapse Avoid self-medicating with substances Communicate concerns with medications and side effects with treatment team
2. Avoid substance use Triggers relapse of mental health symptoms Decreases beneficial effects of medications Requires higher doses of psychiatric medications
3. Increase coping skills “strategies used to minimize effects of stress” Relaxation Positive self-talk Problem-solving Exercising Artistic expression Talking out feelings with supports
4. Increase social support “the help and caring people feel they can count on from other people” Family members Friends Treatment team members Recovery supports (groups, meetings) Clergy member
5. Engage in meaningful activities “tasks that provide a strong sense of purpose and gratification to a person” Helps structure time Provides something to look forward to Examples include; work, going to school, doing volunteer work, being a regular participant at a support group
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