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- From: bobw@promind.com (Bob Wallace)
- Newsgroups: rec.drugs.psychedelic
- Subject: How to talk someone down (ARRRT technique)
- Date: Sun, 30 Jul 1995 12:03:43
- Message-ID: <3vgn9l$sh2@miwok.nbn.com>
-
- Excerped from: "Uppers, Downers, and All Arounders" by Inana & Cohen
- (CNS Productions 0-926544-11-X), without permission. Very good book.
- Edited for length. The Haight-Ashbury Clinic is known for sophisticated
- and compassionate handling of drug problems.
-
- "The Haight-Ashbury Clinic uses the following ARRRT guidelines in
- dealing with a person experiencing a bad trip:
-
- Acceptance -- first, gain the user's trust and confidence.
- Reduce stimuli -- get the user to a quiet, non-threatening environment.
- Reassure -- educate the user that they are experiencing a bad trip, assure
- them they are in a safe place, with safe people, and they will be all right.
- Rest -- help the user relax; use stress reduction techniques [such as slow,
- deep breathing, or relaxing muscle groups] and let them rest.
- Talk down -- discuss peaceful, non-threatening subjects with the user;
- avoid any topic which seems to create more anxiety or a strong reaction.
-
- The best treatment for someone on a "bad trip" is to talk them down in a
- calm manner, without raising your voice or appearing threatening. Avoid
- quick movements, and let them move around so they don't feel trapped.
-
- Two cautions when using the ARRRT talk-down technique
-
- 1. If the user is experiencing severe medical, physical, or even emotional
- reactions which are not responding, medical intervention is needed.
-
- 2. Although most psychedelic reactions are responsive to ARRRT,
- PCP may cause unexpected and sudden violent or belligerent behavior.
- Exercise caution when approaching someone suspected of using PCP."
-
- I've also found it helps to remind the person who they are, where they are,
- that they took a drug which will wear off, and they won't die or go crazy.
- Calm, flowing music may also help.
-
- [I'd appreciate it if some nice information shephard would faq this.]
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