Hallucinogens

Different hallucinogens can go under a number of nicknames for teenagers. Psilocybin may be known as shrooms or magic mushrooms. Lysergic acid diethylamide can be referred to as acid, blotter, or LSD. Phencyclidine goes by names such as angel dust, wack, ozone, PCP, and boat.

How exactly does a hallucinogen affect your teenager’s perception?

This type of drug goes straight to the root of your perception—your brain. It may alter how your senses work. Suddenly, images may be appearing that are not really there, sounds may be heard that no one else can hear, and normal everyday materials can feel extremely new or different to the touch. Like stimulants, hallucinogens can be the cause for an elevated pulse or high blood pressure. In extreme cases, complete heart failure can occur.

If a teenager uses the drug, he/she may experience different feelings as well. Generally the drug can leave one feeling quite disoriented, perplexed, and apprehensive. Outright delusions and severe paranoia are serious effects that a user may have to deal with. These serious effects may require urgent medical attention. A teenager using a hallucinogen may have little control over his/her self. Slurred speech, involuntary muscle spasms, and hostility are just some of the possible bodily reactions to the drug.

Hallucinations and distortion

You must emphasize to your teen that despite how he/she may be offered the drug at a party or somewhere else, hallucinogens are illegal. The drug can cause heavy distortion of your teen’s surroundings. Like with the use of other drugs, a teen’s body may develop a tolerance to the substance. The hallucinations that the substance may bring about can even take place long after the time of use, maybe up to months or years after. The effects that a hallucinogen may have on your child long after his/her use can be flashbacks, a lack of drive or motivation × Motivation
/mo·ti·va·tion/ n.Noun Motivation is defined as the reason or reasons that initiates and guides someone to act, behave or strive to do something that in a particular way. Motivation can come from anywhere and usually consists of being something inspirational and often time’s goal oriented. In everyday living motivation is described as the reason someone does something.  It is what guides and leads us through our lives.  It determines why we act and behave towards activities. If we can find the right motivation in a way we have the ability to do whatever it is the motivation is directed towards. Motivation is determined by both internal and external factors that stimulate a certain desire and energy in a person. Motivation comes from: the intensity of a need or desire, the reward or incentive of an action, and also can come from the expectations a person has on their self or from those that surround them.
, extended periods of depression × Depression
Depression /de·pres·sion/ Depression is defined as a mental condition characterized by feelings of severe despondency and dejection, typically also with feelings of inadequacy and guilt, often accompanied by lack of energy and disturbance of appetite and sleep. Statistics has shown that diagnosis of depression is growing at a very dangerous rate. Globally, depression affects over 350 million people of all ages. Depression has been linked to other negative health outcomes, such as obesity, heart disease, and stroke. Compared to those not affected by depression those who face it are more likely to be unemployed and have a higher chance of divorce. Most people that suffer from depression do not seek care or attention. Since this is a global issue, many efforts are made to help those who are suffering depression. It is important for those that face depression to find help so that they can overcome this plague that millions of people face.
, anxiety × Anxiety
  anx·i·ety n.noun Merriam- Webster dictionary defines anxiety as: : an abnormal and overwhelming sense of apprehension and fear often marked by physiological signs (as sweating, tension, and increased pulse), by doubt concerning the reality and nature of the threat, and by self-doubt about one's capacity to cope with it Anxiety is a very common ailment that almost everyone experiences on an almost daily basis. However, anxiety effects some more than others and can cause severe emotional distress that is too much for an individual to handle. When anxiety plagues an individual so severely that it becomes a disorder, it is crucial that this individual receives therapeutic and emotional restoration in the form of psychological and therapeutic assistance. Teens who experience abnormal amounts of anxiety, tend to self medicate with intoxicants such as drugs and alcohol. When negative, self medication takes place, teens are at great risk of developing harmful coping mechanisms that may be life-long lasting. Anxiety /anx.i.e.ty/ n.Noun Anxiety is defined as the state of uneasiness or tension caused by the feeling of worry or nervousness caused by apprehension of possibilities of the future. Anxiety is a common emotional trait that many people face.  It affects our actions and can prevent us from making decisions.  Usually anxiety holds us back from the types of things that are outgoing or out of our comfort zone and it brings fear. Anxiety is a normal experience for most people and is a normal part of life.  However, when the anxiety reaches the level of a disorder then it can be dangerous.  This would include an intense, extensive, excessive and persistent worry or fear.  Another factor that is caused by an anxiety disorder can be anxiety, fear, or terror attacks when the intensity of anxiety becomes very high.  Types of anxiety disorders can include: social anxiety, separation anxiety and many different phobias etc.  
or panic attacks, emergence of phobias or obsessions, and intensified delusions.

Is your teen a hallucinogen user?

In order to catch your troubled teenager using hallucinogens, watch out for the following signs:

•Hazy vision or perception of sound

•Enlarged pupils

•Feeling extremely anxious or paranoid

•Abrupt changes in temperament

•Dizziness

•Illogical, absurd actions

If you notice these signs in your teenager, don’t try and handle things all on your own. Abuse × Abuse
Abuse /a·buse/ Abuse is defined as the improper usage or treatment of an entity, often to unfairly or improperly gain benefit. Abuse can come in many forms, such as physical or verbal maltreatment, injury, assault, violation, rape, unjust practices: crimes or other types of aggression. Abuse is a negative and real threat that many people face. Child abuse is a problem that is continually occurring. The main types of child abuse are physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglecting. When these types of abuse occur in a home, they often go unnoticed. The stress and fear of the abuse will usually cause the victim to remain quite about the problem. It is a difficult problem to find out and assess, but there are solutions. It is important that people are aware of signs of abuse. They may include unexplained injuries, changes in behavior, fear of going home, changes in eating and sleeping and lack of personal care or hygiene.
of a substance like this is a serious matter and requires proper attention, seek professional help.

Caught in the act

What can you do if you catch your troubled teenager at a time of his/her actual use of the substance? Call a medical professional right away, and talk to your child. Call your teenager by his/her name in order to help them re-focus on the present reality and reassure them of their safety in order to keep him/her from panicking. Physically stay by his/her side until a professional gets there. Remain calm for the sake of your teenager.