I once met a mural artist who told me a very memorable story of his peculiar time at the cuckoo's nest, how he got there and how he left. It was the 1960s-70s a

I once met a mural artist who told me a very memorable story of his peculiar time at the cuckoo's nest, how he got there and how he left. It was the 1960s-70s and all had been reasonably normal in his life, until his attendance at a certain party. Though he was untroubled in the company of recreational drug fiends, he didn't participate, at least not deliberately. However, someone had surreptitiously spiked the punchbowl with LSD. Being a gentle and kind sort of creature, he unwittingly embarked on a profound psychedelic odyssey. Still under the effects of the punch and yet unable to rationalize the situation, he called his sister for help, who persuaded him against his better judgment to check in to a psychiatric hospital. Shortly after, his state of mind returned to normal where he was able to assess the cause, but the talons of the ward took hold and would not let him go. They'd already begun to medicate him heavily with tranquilizers which clouded his mind and dulled his resolve. His pleas for understanding were ignored and he soon realized that he'd become a prisoner. In this situation his only assets were his art and good character. In a sanctioned stupor he devised a plan; he would begin "cheeking" his medicine in the presence of the nurses and spitting it out in their absence. He was permitted art supplies, the results of which quickly earned him respect among the staff. He'd use this to eventually obtain permission to paint outside in the courtyard, where he'd scan every possible vector for a way out. His fear had began to impel him after seeing inmates which were previously articulate and sociable become zombies after what he presumed were lobotomies. He suspected he was on the list for the same. Once he gained the trust of the staff, he finally sprang for freedom. He got it and never returned. He carried on with his art, remaining perfectly sane, innocuous and successful in his trade.