 |
 |
|
||||||
|
|
MONTGOMERY – Department of Mental Health & Mental Retardation Commissioner Kathy Sawyer and Associate Commissioner for Substance Abuse Services Kent Hunt want to warn Alabama citizens about the dangers of psychedelic substances. Psychedelic substances alter brain chemistry and can inflict permanent damage to important brain functions.Popular during the 1960s and 1970s, psychedelic drugs seem to be making a comeback "Unfortunately, we are seeing more youth, usually middle school age groups, experimenting with psychedelics," said Hunt. According to NCADI, hallucinogenic drugs are substances that distort the perception, which can produce unpredictable, erratic and violent behavior in users that sometimes leads to serious injuries and death. The effects of any hallucinogen and the user's reaction to it can differ significantly among individuals and can range from ecstasy to terror. In fact, during any one hallucinogenic episode, a user is likely to experience various psychic and emotional reactions. "Users may experience different reactions to the same drug on different occasions, sometimes finding the effects pleasing and other times finding them disturbing, threatening or even terrifying," Hunt said. "While true physical dependence is rare, chronic users may become psychologically dependent on hallucinogens." Psychological dependence exists when a drug is so central to a person's thoughts, emotions, and activities that the need to continue its use amounts to a craving or compulsion. A wide variety of drugs fall within the hallucinogen category, including synthetic drugs like MDMA (Ecstasy), LSD, and PCP. "Recently, law enforcement has experienced a growth in arrests for the distribution and sale of harmful synthetic drugs like Ecstasy and MDMA," Hunt said. "It is important for Alabamians to understand that an individual taking synthetic hallucinogens has no true knowledge of what chemicals or potentially deadly combinations of illegal drugs they may contain." Natural hallucinogens include mescalin, peyote, certain strains of cannabis (marijuana), and psilocybin. Psilocybin is the active ingredient in the Psilocybe mexicana mushroom and some other mushroom species. Psilocin is an accompanying alkaloid, usually present in small amounts. Psilocybin and psilocin are derivatives of tryptamine, and are chemically related to LSD. "Basically, this is a naturally occurring form of LSD. Young people may not realize that natural substances can often be more dangerous than synthetic substances or may think the effects will not be as strong," Hunt said. It is important to know that use of hallucinogens is dangerous often causing extremely dilated pupils; rapid heart rate; marked changes in sensory perception; a sense of euphoria, relaxation and/or well being; nausea and loss of appetite; chills; shaking; paranoia; confusion; and acute panic. As with other hallucinogenic drugs 'bad trips' can also occur and may develop into brief psychotic episodes. "Long term effects like flashbacks have also been recorded," Hunt said.RESOURCES Information about hallucinogens was obtained from the NCADI—Straight Facts about Drugs and Alcohol, http://www.health.org. Individuals can reach the Alabama DMH/MR Division of Substance Abuse Services for contact information and referrals for substance abuse treatment facilities by calling (334) 242-3961 or by visiting the DMH/MR website at http://www.mh.state.al.us and clicking on the "Substance Abuse" link. The DMH/MR website has a Substance Abuse Treatment Facility Locator allowing citizens to anonymously enter their ZIP code and receive contact information for treatment facilities in their area.Alabamians needing immediate help with substance abuse and/or addiction problems should call the toll-free 24-hour crisis line at 1-800-SOBER90.
|
|
|||||
|
|
 |
