Trailing picture of distressed woman on mind-altering substances.People who take mind-altering drugs do so with a purpose. They want to escape reality. Back in the late 1960s, LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) was very popular during the “free love” movement. There was so much turmoil going on in America that folks were looking for an escape. They found it. Fifty years later, not much has changed. The youth of America is still taking mind-altering substances to escape the turmoil of their own life and society.

Common Mind-Altering Substances

The list of illegal and mind-altering substances has grown over the years. It seems every month a new designer drug with mind-altering characteristics hits the streets. In fact, some of today’s mind-altering drugs are derived from yesterday’s drugs. The list is long. For those who don’t remember the names of familiar mind-altering substances, here’s a short list:

  • Phencyclidine (PCP) – also known as Angel dust
  • LSD – also known as acid
  • ‘Shrooms – mushrooms that contain the psychedelic drugs psilocybin and psilocin
  • Mescaline and Peyote – substances found in the peyote cactus
  • Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid or GHB – the date rape drug

All of these mind-altering substances as well as others lower inhibitions and create hallucinations. We can include the ever-popular MDMA or ecstasy in this group. The medical profession considers most of these to be addictive. It’s worth noting that all of these drugs are illegal. We can consider that to be a clear indication that they are all dangerous.

Psychotropic Medications

There’s another kind of legal medication that experts consider to be mind altering. We are talking about psychotropic medications. These are the medication psychiatrists prescribe for mental health disorders. Given that they impact your brain and motor function, they are, by definition, mind-altering substances.

Doctors typically prescribe these medications to treat conditions like anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Here are a few of the common drugs we find on the list of psychotropic medications: Thorazine, Seroquel, Klonopin, Prozac, Paxil, Remeron, Adderall, and Xanax. All of these prescription drugs have medical benefits. However, they are highly addictive, and people must take them with great care.

Getting Treatment

If someone forms an addiction to any of the above substances, a stint in rehab will be necessary. Most likely, treatment will start with medical detox. With its addictive properties, each of these drugs come with possible severe withdrawal symptoms. It’s best to submit to a medically-monitored detox where medical professionals are available to assure safety.

After detox, it’s time to find out what reality the patient is trying to escape. Through the use of individual and group therapy, the patient gets the chance to learn about their addiction. When the counselor matches the prevalent issues with the right coping skills, the patient has an excellent opportunity for recovery.

About Beaches Recovery

Beaches Recovery center is a premier drug rehab in Jacksonville, Florida. We offer a comprehensive menu of drug and alcohol treatment options that include detox, various forms of therapy and aftercare programs. We are proud to say that each of our patients receives individualized care. To assure they receive the treatment that best meets their circumstances, we offer the following options:

There is no future if you plan to live your life with addiction. Sooner or later, the addiction will win. The good news is you have a great option. You can admit defeat and reach out your hand for help to Beaches Recovery.

It just takes a single phone call to an addiction specialist at 866.605.0532. With our help, you can set aside your mind-altering substances or any addiction and enjoy your travels down the road of recovery.