Article Overview:

  • DMT doesn’t cause physical dependence or withdrawal.
  • DMT may cause psychological dependence, and people may have a hard time stopping using the drug.
  • Drug addiction rehab may be useful for people who are struggling with DMT misuse. Rehab may include inpatient or outpatient treatment, therapy for other mental health disorders and aftercare programs that help support people in living a sober life.
  • DMT treatment may consist of medication to help reduce negative side effects in a person who has taken too much DMT, or in therapy or rehab programs that encourage people to live a healthy lifestyle.

Understanding DMT Addiction Treatment & Rehab

DMT is a molecule that is naturally found in the human brain at low levels. It is known to turn on serotonin receptors found on the surfaces of brain cells. It is also found in certain plants. Various cultures in South America have been ingesting DMT for centuries as a part of ayahuasca, a tea-like drink that induces hallucinations. It is also possible to synthesize DMT in a lab, resulting in a white crystalline powder that can be smoked or snorted. This psychedelic drug is illegal in the United States, but its popularity as a street drug is growing.

DMT, like many other hallucinogens, is not known to cause physical addiction. For this reason, people who use it may not need to go through DMT treatment for withdrawal symptoms. However, DMT can cause psychological dependence and people who use it regularly and have trouble cutting back may want to look into drug addiction treatment to help ease their mental dependence on the drug.

Types of Treatment for DMT Misuse

The Food and Drug Administration has not yet approved any medication, device or method for treatment for hallucinogen misuse. However, other types of counseling or behavioral therapy may help people who are struggling with DMT misuse.

There are several stages that lead to a substance use disorder. Initially, a person may try a substance just for fun. The situation becomes more problematic when that person starts abandoning former friends to hang out with people who also use the drug, or starts using the drug because they don’t know how to deal with stress or negative feelings. Substance misuse is escalated to the next stage when a person starts using other drugs or taking higher doses and abandons previous relationships and responsibilities.

The final stage represents addiction, where a person can no longer control whether or not they use the substance, they continue to use despite financial or legal problems and drug use takes over their life. DMT and other hallucinogens may be psychologically addictive and lead to these or other problems.

The good news is that there are many different types of treatment for drug addiction. Medical professionals understand a lot about how addiction works, and can help people develop their own strategies to overcome it. Behavioral therapy for substance abuse treatment includes steps like:

  • Recognizing situations or environments where someone is likely to use, and coming up with strategies to help people cope with those situations
  • Giving people incentives to stop using substances
  • Examining and re-thinking a person’s attitudes towards substances
  • Helping people learn how to deal with negative situations where they may be tempted to turn towards using

A person who has misused DMT may be experiencing negative side effects that could eventually lead to brain and organ damage, coma, or death. Someone going through a bad trip or getting sick from DMT use may benefit from medical attention. Doctors can prescribe medications that might help manage these symptoms until the DMT effects wear off.

Medical Detox

Detox is the process of a substance leaving the body. Hallucinogens are typically flushed out from the body fairly quickly, and as a result people who stop using DMT typically don’t experience long detox periods or go through intense withdrawal symptoms. However, if someone has been using multiple drugs or is experiencing other mental or physical health problems, they may have more difficulty with the detox process. A person who thinks that they will experience negative withdrawal symptoms can look into medical detox to ease the process. During this stage, medical professionals can help offer medication and support to ease symptoms and address any health issues.

People searching for drug detox centers in Ohio may want to consider The Recovery Village Columbus. This facility is centrally located in Ohio and offers 24/7 medical care for people who are going through detox. Ohioans who have been taking large amounts of DMT or who have been using this drug along with other addictive substances may want to go through a detox program that can offer them medical support and help deal with any potentially severe complications.

Residential Rehab Programs

One type of drug addiction rehab is residential or inpatient treatment. People going through residential rehab typically live at a rehab center 24 hours a day, where they can receive intensive medical care and work with counselors to begin building a different life.

Residential rehab programs may be useful for people who want to get out of an environment or away from people who encourage them to use DMT. Many people find that living at a facility and being surrounded by substance use disorder specialists and peers who are also undertaking the same journey is helpful for their own recovery.

Outpatient Rehab

For people with less severe cases of substance use disorder, outpatient treatment can be a good option. People taking part in outpatient rehab go to a rehab center for only part of the day, and can often keep up normal school and work schedules. While patients are in an outpatient rehab program, they typically receive individual and group counseling as they work to apply new skills, habits and behaviors to their everyday life. This type of treatment plan offers less intensive care, but can be cheaper than residential rehab.

A person dealing with hallucinogen use disorder might go straight into outpatient rehab, or they may begin this process after undergoing an inpatient program. Every person is different and may have a different treatment plan based on their individual needs.

Dual Diagnosis

When someone has a mental health problem or mood disorder in addition to a problem with substance use, this is called a co-occurring disorder. It is very common for people to struggle with multiple issues at once. Addressing all of these issues at the same time can help aid the recovery process. A rehab center will often evaluate patients for co-occurring disorders and offer counseling or medication to help treat any underlying issues.

Aftercare and Sober Living

Detox, inpatient and outpatient programs can help people get DMT out of their bodies and learn how to lead healthier lifestyles that don’t involve substance use. However, without enough support and long-term care, it’s easy for people with substance use disorders to relapse. This is why rehab centers typically offer aftercare programs. These programs may include things like support groups, further behavioral counseling or medication. The goal of aftercare is to help people remain sober for the long term.

See More: Body, Mind, and Well-Being Resources

How Long Does Rehab Take?

Rehab is going to look different for each person. Some people may go through a long process of medical detox, an inpatient program, a partial hospitalization program, outpatient rehab and then aftercare programs. Others may jump straight to outpatient rehab. How long rehab takes for a person depends on how severe their problem with DMT use is, whether they have also been using other substances and their overall physical and mental health. Speaking with a medical professional can help someone determine what a personalized treatment plan might look like.

What Does DMT Rehab Cost?

Again, the cost of different treatment plans is going to vary from person to person. For example, inpatient rehab costs more than outpatient. For a better idea of what to expect, people should contact a treatment center to talk with a specialist about treatment options that might work best for them. Contacting a center directly can give a person a better idea of how much rehab costs.

Does Insurance Cover Rehab?

Marketplace insurance plans provided through the Affordable Care Act offer coverage for substance use disorder treatments. Other insurance providers, such as many states’ Medicare plans, also offer rehab insurance. People who aren’t sure about their coverage can call their insurance company and ask about which types of treatment are covered, or contact treatment centers to determine if their insurance covers rehab.

There are options for people looking for rehab without insurance. A good rehab facility can work with a potential patient to come up with alternate payment plans to fit their financial needs. Some banks also offer loans to help people cover their costs. If cost is a concern for someone, the treatment plan may be able to be modified to help give them a lower overall cost. There are several options available to people depending on their needs, so people interested in substance use disorder treatment shouldn’t let cost stop them from getting more information about rehab.

Choosing a Rehab Center for DMT Abuse

Choosing the right rehab center is important. Different types of treatments work better for different people. Those struggling with a substance use disorder may want to choose a rehab facility that offers a variety of treatment options so that they can work with specialists to figure out which treatment plan might be right for them.

People looking into drug rehab in Ohio should consider contacting The Recovery Village Columbus. Our facility offers medical detox services as well as both inpatient and outpatient treatment options. TRVC also offers comprehensive aftercare programs that can help guide patients’ long-term recovery and is staffed by specialists who are able to treat a variety of co-occurring disorders. Treatment for DMT or hallucinogen abuse is just a phone call away.

Sources

Healthcare.gov. “Mental health and substance abuse coverage.” Accessed August 14, 2019.

MedlinePlus. “Substance Use Disorder.” July 21, 2019. Accessed August 14, 2019.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Hallucinogens.” Revised April 2019. Accessed August 14, 2019.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. “How Do Hallucinogens (LSD, Psilocybin, P[…] the Brain and Body?” Updated February 2015. Accessed August 14, 2019.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: […]uide (Third Edition).” Updated January 2018. Accessed August 14, 2019.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.