Treatment Options for DMT Addiction

Table of Contents

What DMT Addiction Looks Like
Treatment Options
Relapse Prevention

Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a naturally occurring psychoactive chemical that can produce euphoria and mystical or spiritual experiences for many people. However, the drug can create a state of psychological dependence, or a compulsion to use DMT in order to continue to have such experiences.

What Does DMT Addiction Look Like?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) contains a list of symptoms doctors look for when diagnosing addiction.[13]

The symptoms include the following:

Taking DMT in larger doses or over a longer period than intended
Wanting to quit or cut back, but being unable to do so
Spending excessive time getting or using DMT
Experiencing DMT cravings
Inability to fulfill major obligations due to drug use
Continued DMT use despite the problems it causes
Reduced time spent on occupational or recreational hobbies due to drug use
Using DMT in situations where it’s hazardous
Using DMT despite the fact that it causes physical or psychological problems
DMT tolerance
DMT withdrawal

The more of these symptoms you have, the more likely you are to be struggling with DMT addiction.

What Treatment Options Are Available for Addiction to DMT?

If you’re addicted to DMT, you are unable to stop using it, even if you want to. You may make many plans to cut back on use, but you continually return to use of the drug. This is a clear sign that you need help.

These are some of the treatment options available to address DMT addiction:

Therapy

Therapy is the backbone of all addiction treatment programs. While medications can play a key role in the recovery process in some cases, therapy is where the bulk of work in recovery takes place.

You’ll meet with a highly trained professional who has experience treating clients with addictions. You’ll identify things that contributed to your DMT abuse, and you’ll devise ways to effectively manage triggers without returning to DMT use.

Many different therapeutic approaches may be used in DMT addiction treatment. Examples of therapy types used in addiction treatment include the following:[1-3]

Cognitive behavioral therapy
Contingency management
Motivational enhancement therapy
Family therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy
Rational emotive behavioral therapy

This table can help you explore the pros and cons:

Therapy Type	Pros	Cons
Cognitive behavioral therapy	Helps you develop practical skills you can use to manage your emotions and behaviors	Requires active participation on your part
Contingency management	Can be helpful for addiction and other behavior-based issues	May not address the underlying cause of your addiction
Motivational enhancement therapy	Can increase your motivation to change in a short period	Doesn’t provide specific skills you need to change your life
Family therapy	Can improve your communication and problem-solving ability	Requires the participation of all family members
Dialectical behavior therapy	Teaches skills for managing emotions and interpersonal relationships	Requires a therapist trained in DBT, which may not always be available
Rational emotive behavior therapy	Helps you develop more helpful ways of thinking	Could be confrontational and not supportive

Inpatient & Outpatient Rehab Programs

If you enroll in an addiction treatment program for DMT abuse, you’ll have the choice of inpatient or outpatient rehab. Neither option is better for everyone. The right choice will depend on the specifics of your addiction, history of recovery attempts, home situation, and co-occurring mental health issues.[4]

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab takes place in a primary care facility or a special clinic. The National Institute on Drug Abuse says staying in treatment for an adequate period is critical. For most people, that’s at least 90 days.[14]

During this time, you have access to medical care as well as regular psychological and social support via individual and group counseling sessions. Clients also participate in skill-building workshops and healthy activities that support a life in recovery.

Examples of activities in inpatient rehab include the following:

Therapy sessions
Support group meetings
Mediation workshops
Skill-building workshops
Exercise sessions
Yoga classes
Group activities

Outpatient Rehab

In outpatient rehab, you’ll live at home, but you’ll visit the treatment center regularly to participate in individual or group therapy on a consistent basis. Particularly in intensive outpatient rehab programs, the work is similar to that completed in inpatient rehab, but you don’t live at the facility. If your home environment is not conducive to recovery, you may live in a sober living home.

Outpatient rehab tapers in intensity as you gain a stronger footing in recovery. Treatment is not necessarily a linear journey. If you begin to experience intense cravings for DMT, you may step back to a higher level of treatment at any point.

Experts recommend 90 days of treatment for the best chances of continued success in recovery. A longer duration of treatment is linked to lower relapse rates.[5]

Medication

Medication may be part of your recovery plan for DMT addiction. While there isn’t a medication designed to treat DMT addiction specifically, medications may be used to treat withdrawal symptoms or co-occurring mental health or physical issues.

For example, if you are struggling with depression in recovery, you may be prescribed an antidepressant. And medications may be available to manage symptoms of other mental health issues.

In a comprehensive addiction treatment program, your doctor will manage all medications. Treatment for co-occurring disorders ensures that all conditions are treated simultaneously.[6]

Holistic & Alternative Therapies

Holistic and alternative therapies are becoming increasingly popular. While they shouldn’t be the primary treatment for DMT addiction, they can augment traditional care. Any alternative treatment should be supported by evidence for its ability to assist in the management of addiction.

Examples of holistic treatment approaches include the following:

Acupuncture: Researchers say acupuncture may reduce relapse by regulating neurotransmitters involved in drug craving.[15]
Meditation: Researchers say mindfulness meditation could help people learn how to feel less distressed when exposed to drug cues and cravings.[8]
Yoga: Research suggests that participating in a yoga practice can lessen drug cravings and help people reduce relapse risks.[9]
Exercise: Researchers say participating in exercise could reduce cravings and help people stay abstinent longer.[12]

Relapse Prevention

Relapse is often part of the journey to sustained recovery, and this is true for DMT addiction. Relapse doesn’t mean a failure in recovery, but the goal is to reduce the likelihood of it occurring.[11]

A solid aftercare plan can help. Here are some things to include in your relapse prevention plan:

Keep going to therapy. Maintain regular sessions with your therapist. While the frequency of sessions will taper in active recovery, it’s a good way to stay on track with your recovery. If you feel yourself craving DMT more, add in a couple of sessions.
Find a support group. While 12-step groups like Narcotics Anonymous are most commonly associated with the term support group, there are many options to choose from. Other examples include SMART Recovery and S.O.S.
Make a daily checklist. Make a list of activities that support your mental health and recovery, and do them every day. This list might include things like exercise, journaling, getting outside, or talking to a friend. If you feel yourself beginning to slip, go back to this list, and complete it again.[12]
Reach out for help. Recovery from DMT addiction is a lifelong process. It’s normal to struggle. When you do, reach out for help. This can often make the difference between you relapsing or not.

Updated May 7, 2024

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