Mushrooms
Drug Assignment
Description:
This drug looks like dried mushrooms and is swallowed. The active component in mushrooms is psilocybin which is a hallucinogen. Psilocybin can also be made in illegal labs and sold on the street as a white powder, in tablets, or in capsules. A person can eat these mushrooms, brew a tea with them, mix them with other foods or, as some people do to mask their bitter taste, coat them with chocolate and eat them.
Short term effects:
Taken in a small dose, some short term effects typically include nausea and excessive yawning. After these initial effects, a person feels drowsy or relaxed. Higher doses can lead to hallucinations, anxiety, paranoia and nervousness. The person may have a distorted sense of time, place and reality. Physical effects of mushrooms can include increased heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature, muscle weakness, lack of coordination, and dilated pupils.
Long term effects:
People can build up a tolerance to psilocybin and psilocin after taking mushrooms for a long period of time. To feel the effects of it, they have to take larger and larger amounts. This can be dangerous or even deadly. This can lead to psychiatric diseases like schizophrenia and psychosis.
Addiction related issues:
Local- Although people usually do not become addicted to mushrooms and there are no withdrawal symptoms, people become dependent on them to feel good or cope with life. 3.5 grams of mushrooms cost about 15 dollars and extensive use can leave you broke and homeless. Mushrooms aren't a serious issue in Mississauga.
National-Causes a divide between those who are in favor of using drugs and those who are opposed.
Global- A higher percentage of crime is associated with drug users.
Consequences of Addiction
Some of the physical consequences of this drug include: psychiatric diseases like schizophrenia and psychosis and in extreme cases, death. Many people who use mushrooms become isolated from friends and family. Many people may also run into financial troubles because too much money is spent on the drug. People can also become depressed and experience flashbacks after long term use.
Ways to get Help
Narcotics anonymous is a very well know self-help group for any one who is or has been addicted to any kind of drug. Narcotics anonymous is open for anyone experiencing any problems related to any substance. Narcotics anonymous says that they have a twelve step system in helping patients with their addiction problem, some of the twelve steps include:
- Realizing the mistakes you've made in the past
- Admitting that you are "powerless" in controlling your addiction
- Helping other fellow drug addicts
- Making amends for mistakes you've made in the past