Key Takeaways
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Using LSD and MDMA can cause long-term emotional problems, paranoia, and problems with thinking.
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A partial hospitalization program (PHP) gives people who need more than outpatient treatment but less than 24/7 inpatient care structured help.
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PHPs offer group therapy, medical monitoring, and personalized psychiatric care all at the same time.
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A lot of people go to PHP after drug detox to help their mental health problems that won’t go away.
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PHP can be beneficial for people who have both trauma, anxiety, and depression that are linked to using psychedelic drugs.
Introduction
LSD and MDMA are often thought of as party or recreational drugs, but using them too much can have profound effects on your mental health. Users may have hallucinations that last for a long time, panic attacks, memory problems, or emotional numbness that lasts long after the drug has worn off.
A partial hospitalization program fills the gap between outpatient therapy that isn’t intensive enough and inpatient care that feels too limiting. It provides people with a great deal of assistance every day, allowing them to go home at night. PHPs are becoming a key part of long-term psychedelic recovery plans for people in Chandler, Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale and other cities in Arizona.
What About Using LSD and MDMA in the Wrong Way Is Bad for Mental Health?
Both LSD and MDMA change the levels of serotonin in the brain, which changes mood, perception, and thinking. Using this system too many times can make it less effective, which can cause depression, anxiety, irritability, and even flashbacks or hallucinations. MDMA can hurt neurons that control mood, and LSD has been linked to long-term psychosis in people who are already vulnerable.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says that taking MDMA in large amounts or often can cause problems with memory and controlling emotions for a long time (NIDA, 2023). Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is a condition that can happen months after using LSD. It causes flashbacks and visual distortions.
Also, the U.S. National Library of Medicine confirms LSD misuse may result in disorganized thinking and lingering psychotic symptoms (MedlinePlus, 2024).
What Is a Partial Hospitalization Program, and Who Can Use It?
In a structured clinical setting, a partial hospitalization program offers up to six hours of treatment per day, five days a week. It is a level of care that falls between being hospitalized and receiving regular outpatient services.
PHP is great for:
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Those who have just come out of inpatient care
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Those who have trouble with mood swings that last a long time because of psychedelics
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People who have more than one disorder, like trauma or depression
Addiction treatment programs in cities in Arizona, like Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa often include psychiatry, one-on-one therapy, family counseling, and support from other people who are going through the same thing. Clients get the most out of inpatient treatment because they can go home to a stable environment at night.
How Does Group Therapy Help People Who Have Used Psychedelics Get Better?
Group therapy is one of the most beneficial aspects of partial hospitalization treatment services. Clients can discuss their triggers, share strategies for managing them, and receive support from others who are experiencing similar challenges in these sessions.
When LSD or MDMA is involved, group sessions often talk about:
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Feeling numb or disconnected emotionally
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Anxiety or panic attacks
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Depression or a lack of motivation after taking drugs
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When using psychedelics, you might act in a way that puts you at risk
These peer-led insights, with the help of a therapist, enable people to become more emotionally resilient and self-aware. Group work also helps people feel less ashamed and alone.
Can PHP Help with Anxiety, Trauma, and Other Co-Occurring Disorders?
Yes. PHPs can help people who use psychedelics with more than one condition at the same time. Trauma, unresolved grief, anxiety disorders, and even PTSD may have come before drug use and gotten worse after it.
Some of the things that come with integrated services are:
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CBT and DBT for anxiety
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Managing psychiatric medications
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Psychoeducation about how the brain works and how to get better
This all-encompassing approach helps people stop using drugs like MDMA or LSD to deal with emotional pain. As highlighted by SAMHSA, integrated treatment planning for co-occurring disorders is essential for sustainable recovery (SAMHSA TIP 42, 2020).
What Happens After Getting Off of LSD or MDMA?
Even though LSD and MDMA aren’t physically addictive in the usual way, drug detox programs may still be needed to help with early withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, trouble sleeping, and mood swings.
The next important step after detox is PHP. It helps clients address deeper issues, teaches them how to cope, and gradually prepares them for less intense outpatient care. Many clients are at risk of relapsing or having ongoing mental instability if they don’t take this step in between.
Conclusion
For people who are recovering from the mental effects of using MDMA or LSD, partial hospitalization treatment provides a safe, structured, and healing space. It fills the gap between detox and complete independence while meeting a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and trauma-related needs.
Virtue Recovery Chandler can help if you or someone you care about is having trouble after using psychedelics. Call us at 866-338-5779 today to learn more about how our partial hospitalization program can help you or someone you care about have a better, more stable future.
FAQs
Is PHP enough to help people who use psychedelics in the wrong way?
Yes, PHP gives a lot of people the right amount of structure and freedom to deal with psychological effects and stop them from happening again.
What signs make someone eligible for PHP after taking MDMA or LSD?
You may need PHP if you have long-term anxiety, depression, visual problems, or emotional instability after using drugs.
How long does a PHP usually last?
Depending on progress and individual needs, programs usually last between 2 and 6 weeks.
Can PHP help with more than one disorder at a time?
Yes, for sure. PHPs are meant to help people with both substance abuse and mental health problems at the same time.
Is group therapy beneficial after taking psychedelics?
Yes. Group support helps you feel like you’re not alone and provides you with tools to address your problems in a safe and caring setting.
Resources & Citations
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National Institute on Drug Abuse. MDMA (Ecstasy) Abuse. NIDA, 2023,
https://nida.nih.gov/publications/research-reports/mdma-ecstasy-abuse/ -
U.S. National Library of Medicine. Substance Use – LSD. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia, 2024,
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000795.htm -
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. TIP 42: Substance Use Treatment for Persons With Co-Occurring Disorders. SAMHSA‑Library, March 2020,
https://library.samhsa.gov/product/tip-42-substance-use-treatment-persons-co-occurring-disorders/pep20-02-01-004
