Drug use in teens can take many different forms, and many different drugs can be abused. One of these is hallucinogens. Hallucinogens are still a popular drug that many teens find themselves stuck in a pattern of abusing. Unfortunately, the negative impact of hallucinogens on one’s brain and physical health is more significant than many people realize. Understanding peyote and other hallucinogens can come in handy in combating substance abuse in your daughter.

Hallucinogen use disorder (HUD) poses many potential dangers to mental and physical health. While some people think there is a reduced risk in using these substances, there is absolutely a danger of psychological changes and addiction from hallucinogen use. Mescaline (also known as peyote) is a form of hallucinogenic drug that can cause dangerous changes in your teen’s life. Clearview asserts that treatment for HUD is possible, and remission and recovery from hallucinogenic drugs are achievable.

Hallucinogen Use Disorder

HUD, also called hallucinogen addiction, is a type of substance use disorder (SUD) involving addiction and dependence on hallucinogenic substances. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) describes SUD as “a treatable mental disorder that affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to their inability to control their use of substances like legal or illegal drugs, alcohol, or medications.”

A person with HUD may exhibit the following characteristics:

  • Spending a great deal of time over a month getting, using, or recovering from the effects of hallucinogenics
  • Using hallucinogenics more often than intended or being unable to limit usage
  • Having to use more substances each time to get the same results
  • Being unable to stop or reduce hallucinogenic use
  • Continuing usage despite emotional, nervous system, physical, or mental health effects
  • Reduced involvement in important activities due to the use of hallucinogenics

Over time, an addiction to hallucinogens can form with continued and repeated use of hallucinogenic drugs. Hallucinogenic abuse and dependence are often accompanied by addiction to other substances like marijuana as well. The dangers increase when a person engages in multiple forms of substance abuse, including other hallucinogenic drugs.

Understanding Peyote and Other Hallucinogenic Drugs

Many types of hallucinogenic drugs exist. These drugs are used to alter human perception as well as mood. Some common hallucinogenic drugs include psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”), LSD (“acid”), MDMA (“molly”), and mescaline (“peyote”). These drugs alter perception and mood, and they also cause physiological changes in the brain. All hallucinogenic drugs can cause harm when taken repeatedly and with abandon.

Peyote is a small spineless cactus with the active hallucinogenic ingredient mescaline. This substance is sometimes used in religious ceremonies, but it is often abused by people and taken at frequent and unsafe doses.

Understanding Peyote: The Dangers of Hallucinogenic Drugs

Hallucinogens have the risk of psychological addiction, in which the person is dependent psychologically and emotionally on the high they achieve when using the drug. This effect leads to repeated and increased usage, which leads to HUD. Psychological addiction can be difficult to break, as the positive mental state of the user can be reliant on the drug. These addictions can be hard to break without intervention and mental health care.

The risks of addiction can affect both mental and physical health. Health risks can include anything from the physical symptoms of the drug use including nausea, vomiting, increased heart rate, and decreased motor control. These symptoms can interfere with daily life and cause the user to be a danger to themselves or others. Studies have shown an increase in sexually transmitted diseases and uncontrolled sexual risky behavior as well.

The Effects of Hallucinogens on Mental Health

The use of hallucinogens can also greatly affect mental health. Hallucinogens can change one’s mood and alter how they feel. What’s more, they can create severe mood drops after they have worn off. This mood drop can cause the user to attempt to use higher amounts of hallucinogenics to achieve the same results and feel normal. There is also a risk of unsafe drug interactions with common mental health medications.

It’s also important to note that these drugs are not safe to take if someone has previous mental health disorders. The risk of developing SUD increases exponentially in cases of bipolar disorder or depression, as a lack of inhibition and control already exists. There is also a risk with hallucinogenic and psychedelic drugs for long-lasting effects of delusions and flashbacks, called hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD). This disorder and its subsequent risks can be minimized when treatment is received.

Treatment Options for Hallucinogen Use Disorder

Getting treatment for HUD is paramount when psychological dependence and addiction form. Treatment can involve many different aspects, from the intervention of a crisis counselor to more direct care at a treatment facility. The emotional dependence on substances such as peyote can be hard to break, but with therapy that addresses the underlying issues, this can be achieved.

Clearview Horizon Girls Academy offers many forms of care and therapy through our treatment facility. When HUD persists, the care your daughter receives needs to be personalized and quick-acting.

Dependence on substances usually arises from underlying issues such as mental health problems. SUD is often co-occurring with other mental health issues. That’s why comprehensive treatment is the best way to address the underlying concerns and promote lifelong sobriety.

Hallucinogen use disorder (HUD) and other substance use disorders (SUDs) can feel overwhelming when we witness them in our loved ones. However, it is possible to receive treatment and achieve sobriety. Understanding peyote and fellow hallucinogenics is key to detecting signs of HUD in your daughter. Emotional and psychological dependence or addiction to these drugs is possible, and treatment is necessary to break that addiction. Recognizing the risks hallucinogens like peyote pose to physical and mental health is crucial. Finding reputable treatment services is also paramount. If you think your daughter may be developing a dependence on hallucinogenic substances, we at Clearview can help you intervene. Call us today at 866-584-4788.