Psychedelic-assisted therapy improved abstinence and reduced rates of relapse among individuals with alcohol and tobacco use disorders.

Background

Psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), may help reduce symptoms and the rate of relapse for treatment of substance use disorders (SUD). This study summarized insights from published systematic reviews on the benefits of psychedelics on SUD treatment outcomes, including abstinence, relapse, and symptoms of withdrawal.

Findings

This umbrella review included 16 systematic reviews that measured the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy on use disorders involving alcohol, tobacco, opioids, and cannabis, with results for treatment of alcohol and tobacco use disorder strongest. Included studies showed that abstinence was as high as 70% for individuals with alcohol use disorder, along with reductions in short- and long-term relapse and related drinking behaviors. Psychedelics also improved rates of smoking cessation and sustained abstinence at one-year following therapy.

Program/Policy Takeaways

Psychedelic-assisted therapy may improve outcomes for individuals with alcohol and tobacco use disorders. Behavioral health providers can use the insights from this study to explore treatment options that may be available in the future to treat individuals with SUD or other behavioral health diagnoses.