Psychedelic Drug Use by Adolescents
Social Work July 1, 1968 DOI: 10.1093/sw/13.3.33 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractAdolescent use of the psychedelic drug LSD carries serious consequences for development. Users often experience severe panic and psychosis. Teens diverted from essential developmental tasks face long-term mental health risks. The most talented and socially aware youth become politically disengaged. The author argues that LSD use undermines healthy maturation and social engagement.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Keywords | Vulnerability computing Mental health Drug prevention Panic Developmental psychology |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | LSD use among adolescents leads to panic states, psychoses, disrupted developmental tasks, and political deactivation of talented youth. |
Abstract
The author presents background about the growth of the psychedelic drug culture among adolescents, concentrating on the implications of the patterns of use of a major psychedelic drug, LSD, for future human development. Three areas of consequence are delineated: (1) the vulnerability of many persons who use LSD to marked panic states and psychoses, (2) the diversion of those in their middle and late teens from essential developmental tasks with longer range mental health hazards, and (3) the political deactivization of those youths most talented and sensitive to societal imperfections.