Hallucinogens and psychedelics are powerful psychoactive drugs that can alter perception, mood, and cognition. Often romanticized as tools for enlightenment or healing, these substances can also pose significant risks—especially for those with a history of trauma, posttraumatic stress disorder, or co-occurring alcohol and drug use.
At Aliya Veterans, we provide specialized care for veterans and first responders who have used or are currently using hallucinogenic drugs. Whether for self-medication, recreation, or spiritual exploration, frequent or unsupervised use of psychedelics like LSD or magic mushrooms can cause lasting psychological effects, exacerbate mental illness, and hinder the healing process.
What Are Hallucinogens and Psychedelics?
Hallucinogens are a broad class of psychoactive substances that cause altered states of consciousness, mystical experiences, and profound changes in sensory perception. These drugs can be naturally occurring—such as psilocybin mushrooms, peyote cactus, or salvia divinorum—or synthetic psychedelic compounds, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and designer drugs like 2C-B.
These substances are known for producing vivid hallucinations, time distortion, emotional shifts, and sometimes euphoria. However, the hallucinogenic effect is not without risk. The subjective effects of these drugs vary widely and can be profoundly destabilizing, especially for individuals with underlying anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder, or stress disorders.
Common types of Psychedelic and Hallucinogenic Drugs:
- LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide): A potent, synthetic psychedelic often associated with intense sensory distortions and long trips.
- Psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms): A naturally occurring psychedelic used for centuries in ceremonial settings, now under modern psychedelic research for its therapeutic potential.
- Mescaline (from the peyote cactus): Used traditionally by Native American tribes, known for vivid visual hallucinations.
- DMT and Ayahuasca: Hallucinogenic compounds associated with mystical experiences, increasingly used in spiritual retreats.
- Salvia divinorum: A powerful hallucinogenic drug that can cause short, dissociative episodes and a loss of bodily control.
- PCP and Ketamine: Classified as dissociative hallucinogens with both recreational drug use and limited clinical interest.
- Designer psychedelics: Laboratory-made types of psychedelic drugs that mimic the chemical structure and mechanisms of action of classic hallucinogens.
Why People Use Psychedelics
There is growing public interest in the potential therapeutic and clinical applications of hallucinogens, especially in treating major depression, chronic pain, and PTSD. However, outside clinical settings, taking psychedelics is often recreational, spiritual, or experimental in nature.
People may use psychedelics for:
- Escapism – Avoiding emotional pain or unresolved trauma
- Self-exploration – Seeking personal insight or “spiritual awakening”
- Experimentation – Curiosity about altered states
- Perceived healing – Influenced by future psychedelic trends or online communities promoting the effectiveness of psychedelic substances without medical supervision
Veterans and first responders, in particular, may turn to psychedelics to escape the emotional toll of trauma, especially if other treatment options have failed or felt impersonal. However, this can be dangerous without professional guidance.
Why Veterans and First Responders May Turn to Psychedelics
The pressures and trauma associated with military service and first responder roles often result in serious mental health disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, and major depressive disorder. Many individuals in these populations also struggle with alcohol and drug misuse, drug abuse, and chronic pain due to injuries or emotional overload.
Psychedelics may seem appealing as a way to:
- Break free from emotional numbness or despair
- Explore spiritual or moral wounds
- Disconnect from painful memories or daily stress
- Seek healing outside of traditional addiction medicine
Unfortunately, using psychedelics medicinally without supervision can backfire—triggering psychotic breaks, panic attacks, or even suicidal ideation. When combined with alcohol or other substances, the effects of psilocybin, LSD, or other drugs become even more unpredictable.
The Risks of Frequent or Unsupervised Use
Although some researchers are exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics through psychedelic therapy, these treatments involve strict protocols, screening for risk factors, and controlled amounts of psychedelics administered in clinical settings. In contrast, recreational drugs are often taken in unsafe environments, at high doses, or in combination with other substances.
Frequent use of psychedelics can result in:
- Bad trips: Episodes of extreme fear, paranoia, hallucinations, or panic, which may cause lasting trauma.
- Flashbacks and hallucinogen-persisting perception disorder: Unwanted visual disturbances long after use.
- Exacerbated mental illness: For those with a history of major depression, anxiety disorders, or schizophrenia.
- Increased psychological dependence: Relying on the drug for emotional relief or to feel “connected.”
- Physical danger during trips: Accidents, self-harm, or unsafe behavior in an altered state of consciousness.
- Risky combinations: Mixing psychedelics with alcohol and drug use increases the risk of adverse effects and overdose.
Because of the unpredictable effects of classic psychedelics, unsupervised use is especially risky for individuals with a history of trauma, drug abuse, or substance dependence.
Treatment for Hallucinogen Use and Co-Occurring Disorders
At Aliya Veterans, we specialize in trauma-informed care for veterans and first responders struggling with the misuse of psychedelics, recreational drugs, and alcohol and drug combinations. Many of our patients have tried psychedelics in search of relief, only to experience worsening symptoms, isolation, or psychological distress.
We provide individualized treatment options that may include:
- Detox and Stabilization – For those who have been using hallucinogens or combining them with other substances.
- Dual Diagnosis Treatment – Addressing both drug abuse and co-occurring conditions like PTSD, depression, or anxiety.
- Trauma-Focused Therapy – Including EMDR, CBT, and DBT to help process root causes of substance use.
- Education on Risks and Recovery – Learning the truth about psychedelics effects, brain chemistry, and emotional impact.
- Safe, Effective Alternatives – Replacing self-medication with research-based therapies and professional support.
Our team understands the complex relationship between trauma and substance use—and we’re here to help you heal with dignity, structure, and compassion.
Get Help Today at Aliya Veterans
Whether you’ve had a bad trip, experienced the adverse effects of hallucinogenic drugs, or find yourself relying on psychedelics like LSD to feel better, you don’t have to face it alone. Aliya Veterans offers a structured path forward—with trauma-informed, veteran-specific care that addresses the root causes of drug abuse and mental health challenges.
You’ve carried others through chaos. Now it’s time to let someone carry you.
Contact us today to learn more about our treatment programs for veterans and first responders and discover a future that doesn’t depend on psychedelics to find peace.