Learn the symptoms of withdrawal of LSD, the treatment of LSD addiction, the treatment of LSD overdose, and the treatment of a Bad Trip of LSD in this article.

Symptoms of LSD Withdrawal

For LSD, the term withdrawal does not have the same meaning as for drugs that are habit-forming or addictive. While LSD use can rapidly lead to tolerance, it is not addictive.

However, since symptoms caused by LSD use can continue, the former user may still have repercussions of usage to deal with. This could include: 

• HPPD (Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder) – continuing perceptual distortions after the trip is over, ranging from milder alterations to full-blown flashbacks. This disorder has its own DSM-IV R listing. 
• depression 
• anxiety 
• schizophrenia 
• impaired memory 
• lessened attention span 
• mental confusion 
• difficulty with abstract thought 
• psychological dependence 
• suicidal thoughts

LSD Addiction Treatment

Any treatment of LSD usage has to be preceded by determining the cause. There can be difficulty making a diagnosis and friends or family may be able to help in identifying the cause of the immediate symptoms. Patients who seek medical care may appear to be psychotic, be experiencing extreme anxiety or panic, or present with traumatic injuries that can result from the distorted perceptions that accompany LSD use. Depending on the presentation, LSD use may need to be distinguished from: 

• panic attack 
• use of other illegal drugs 
• metabolic issues 
• central nervous system lesions 
• schizophrenia 
• psychosis 
• heat-related illness 
• infection

A specialized test can detect LSD in the urine for up to 24 to 36 hours after a dose of 200–400 mg, though a “usual” dose is somewhat less than this.

LSD Overdose Treatment

An overdose of LSD may result in the following, each of which needs to be treated directly: 

• coma 
• respiratory arrest 
• hyperthermia 
• blood clotting issues

LSD Bad Trip Treatment

By the time someone having a bad trip on LSD gets medical attention, it is usually too late for stomach pumping, unless there is another substance involved that requires it. Approaches include minimizing stimulation using a quiet, dark room and conversing with the person to help mediate reality for them and calm them. Reassuring the person of his or her identity as well as yours may be quite important. It is best not to leave the person alone. If the person cannot be calmed in this way, sedatives may be used. Steps may also be taken to prevent frequent complications, such as hyperthermia.

LSD Withdrawal and Treatment Sources:

• drugabusehelp.com
• erowid.org
• emedicine.com
• recovery.org.uk
• adanz.org.nz

Related Article: LSD Usage, Statistics, Effects >>