Question Title: How can I stop the after effects of shrooms?

I am 19 years old and I am having a serious problem with my sight because of taking the hallucinogenic drug the "shroom". Over the past five years I have smoked pot, taken acid 3 times (once was a whole hit, and two were just a half of a hit) and eaten mushrooms 3 times. The first two years of this five year span was spent doing the most drugs and each year after dropped considerably to where I just used once every six months. The last time that I ate acid was in December of this year which was a half of a hit, and it had been two years since I had done it last.I didn't have any problems or after effects from that. The last time I ate shrooms was in May and it had also been two years since I had previously done that. The amount that I ate was about two stems, which is a very small amount. I did not experience an effect from the shrooms. What I did experience the next day and every day since then is permanent trails (hallucenations) I have not used any impurity or drug (besides nicotine) since this event and the situation keeps getting worse. I do not understand this. The "trails" used to only occur at night, but now they happen all of the time. When I am driving the road signs jump out at me and then zoom back. They also shoot backwards repeating their shape in a line for about ten times. This happens with every road sign that I pass. When I am smoking a ciggerate, especially at night, and I flick the ash into an ash tray or out a window, the red from the ciggerate seems to follow the real cherry of the ciggerate and then catch up to it about 30 seconds or so After I am done flicking it. Also i catch "Trails" off of outside lights and the interior lights off my car. Usually if I am turning to look at something or i Look down at the radio, the lights always traill off. Also when people are talking or just plain moving I catch trails off of thier movements and mine to. Those hallucinaions are very similar to when you wave your hand in front of a computer screen. I do not understand why this is happening and I would like to know what caused this permanent damage and if there is anything that i can do to fix it.The problem is getting worse and worse. It scares the heck out of me and agrivates me. If there is anything tht you can suggest for me to try I would really appreciate it. Each day the amount of "trails" or "Flashbacks" (However you woudl like to name it) become more frequent and more powerful. Please if their is any advice or sugestion that you could give me to help my situation I would greatlyappreciate it because this completely scares me to the point where I can't sleep in the dark because the hallucinaitons are so bad.
Sinccerely,
Kate

Dear Kate,

Your description fits with what is known as "Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder" (Flashbacks). These episodes usually let up after a few months, but may persist for 5 years or longer. You should consider being evaluated by a sophisticated mental health professional. Relaxation therapy might be helpful in diminishing the anxiety which these episodes trigger, and some non-addictive psychotropic medications could reduce their intensity.

The most important thing is for you to avoid using or abusing psychoactive substances - they could make what sounds like a pretty bad situation a lot worse.

Take a look at http://www.drsteve.org for more information on hallucinogen abuse. Good luck!

DrSteve

The information provided is for general medical education purposes only, and not a substitute for medical diagnosis and treatment provided by your physician.

keywords: hallucinogen persisting perception disorder flashback flashbacks marijuana cannabis

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