2. Hallucinogenic Drugs and Dual Recovery How do hallucinogenic drugs like Marijuana, Ecstasy, and Acid affect mental health?

3. What comes to mind when you hear about “Hallucinogens?”

4. Hallucinogenic drugs… Alter perception of reality Cause hallucinations Alter the senses (touch, taste, smell, sound, sight)

5. 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)

6. 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

7. Effects of Marijuana Health Bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer (more carcinogens that tobacco) Immunosuppressant Impotence and infertility

8. Effects of Marijuana Health Increased heart rate and blood pressure Impaired coordination and movement Increased appetite Weight gain; overeating and reduced physical activity

9. Effects of Marijuana Feelings “High,” euphoria (during intoxication) Anxiety; mild to Panic Attacks Irritable or anxious mood (during withdrawal)

10. Effects of Marijuana Thinking Hallucinations; auditory, visual, tactile Difficulty concentrating Paranoid ideation; suspiciousness to delusional beliefs

11. Effects of Marijuana Behavior Poor grooming and routine Decreased responsiveness to others Disorganization Social withdrawal, isolation Apathy, lack of motivation

12. Influence of Marijuana on Depression  Depression  Social withdrawal  Isolation  Positive peer support

13. Influence of Marijuana on Bipolar Disorder  Mood swings  Irritability  Sleeplessness

14. Influence of Marijuana on Schizophrenia  Hallucinations  Delusions  Paranoia, suspiciousness  Apathy, amotivation  Isolation, social withdrawal

15. “Ecstasy” (MDMA) 10% people ever used (1996 survey) Intoxication: minutes to a few hours or days Banned in 1985 Derivative of anesthetic

16. 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

17. 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

18. “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

19. Effects of Hallucinogens Health Elevated body temperature Increased heart rate and blood pressure Appetite loss Memory loss Headaches Nausea Sweating Sleeplessness

20. 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

21. Effects of Hallucinogens Thinking Alteration of thinking and self-awareness Anxiety and panic (“bad trips”), flashbacks Confusion Suspicion

22. 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

23. Influence of Hallucinogens on Depression  Anxiety  Fatigue  Isolation and social withdrawal  Depression

24. Influence of Hallucinogens on Bipolar Disorder  Sleeplessness  Routine, schedule  Mood swings  Restlessness

25. Influence of Hallucinogens on Schizophrenia  Hallucinations  Paranoia  Delusions  Isolation and social withdrawal

26. Dual Recovery from Hallucinogenic Drugs

27. 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

28. 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

29. 2. Avoid substance use Triggers relapse of mental health symptoms Decreases beneficial effects of medications Requires higher doses of psychiatric medications

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. Thank you for coming!