Bad trips can be very dangerous. Those who experience them can sometimes become violent and threaten their own safety as well as the safety of others. Therefore, immediate professional treatment is sometimes necessary for a bad trip.

You can also avoid the possibility of a severe bad trip by seeking treatment now. Call 800-411-9312 (Who Answers?) today if you or someone you love is a consistent abuser of hallucinogens. We will help you find the rehab program that will create the safest, strongest recovery plan.

How Do I Know Someone Needs Medical Help for a Bad Trip?

There are some ways to help sooth a person who is going through a bad trip without professional treatment, depending on the severity of the situation. If the individual is out at a party or somewhere unfamiliar, it can help to move them away from others and from areas where there is a high level of stimulation. Taking them into a dark room, speaking quietly to them, playing soft music, and reminding them that everything will be okay can all be helpful.

However, Brown University states, “If your friend is inconsolable or seems violently agitated, then seek medical help right away.”

If you feel you are in danger, do not engage with the individual. Simply call 911 and wait for the ambulance to come. This is the safest way to ensure that your friend gets the help they need without putting either of you in harm’s way.

What Happens When an Individual is Treated for a Bad Trip?

A bad trip can make someone violently agitated.

Your friend or loved one will need to be taken to a hospital or inpatient center immediately where they can receive medical attention in a controlled environment and be watched during the symptoms of their bad trip. Sometimes these symptoms can last for hours and can be very frightening.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Bad trips… include terrifying thoughts and nightmarish feelings of anxiety and despair that include fears of losing control, insanity, or death.” Therefore, the patient can often be inconsolable and will need to be calmed under any means necessary.

Benzodiazepines may be given during an individual’s initial treatment to minimize their fear and other severe symptoms and to help keep them calm. Sometimes, they may need to be fully sedated for their own safety. The individual may also need to be restrained if their symptoms are severe.

Most hospitals will make sure that the patient is put in a room with little to no stimulation for the duration of their symptoms. This will minimize their interactions with other stimuli that could intensify their reactions.

What Happens Next?

If an individual is experiencing issues with a bad trip, it is likely they will need drug abuse help in a professional treatment setting. They may also experience flashbacks or other psychological problems associated with their substance abuse, and they will need to be checked for any co-occurring disorders as well.

Hallucinogen abuse is dangerous, and when a bad trip causes someone to require medical care, they will need to then attend substance abuse treatment in order to recover safely. Call 800-411-9312 (Who Answers?) to find treatment options that will cater to your needs or the needs of your loved one and that will help you avoid any further issues associated with hallucinogen abuse.

How to Deal with a Bad Trip