In the newsletter of the Multi-disciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, Zevic Mishor writes about the development of a free guide to supporting people through extreme states induced by the voluntary use of psychedelic drugs. The guide is called The Manual of Psychedelic Support: A Practical Guide to Establishing and Facilitating Care Services at Music Festivals and Other Events.
Mishor quotes an excerpt of a personal story from the manual:
He was in despair and crying, whilst at the same time he was very disruptive and threateningā¦ By now we were eight people working to detain himāfour security personnel and four care giversāand still the man was putting up a fight. I ran to bring the stretcher, adding four pillows and two mattresses to make it softerā¦ He was screaming and he kept saying, āI will beat you up! I know you now! I will find you and kill you!ā, as well as things like, āWho am I?ā, āIs this really happening?ā, āAm I really?ā, but quickly changing back to his violent threatsā¦
I saw him later at a crossroads at the festival and he truly was thankful. He even fell on his knees when I told him we had a plastic bag with his mobile phone and dirty clothes. It was wonderful to see him so different and happy! I wish I could see him again and chat moreā¦I felt so warm to receive thanks and to know that I protected him from the darker self we all hide inside. It is always amazing to see a human being like a wild dangerous beast one day, and the next day like a saint, the hope of humanity!ā
The manual is available for free download at PsychSitter.com
Bringing Light to Dark Places: The Manual of Psychedelic Support (MAPS Bulletin Spring 2015 Vol. 25, No. 1 – Psychedelics and Policy, May 13, 2015)
