New Trial Studies Psilocybin Treatment for People with Alcohol Use Disorder

A recent trial, published in the journal Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, reported the effects of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) (1). Thirteen participants answered interview questions before and after the treatment regarding coping strategies, cravings, and stress among other topics (1). The study is reportedly the first ever of its type (1).

“Participants reported that the psilocybin treatment helped them process emotions related to painful past events and helped promote states of self-compassion, self-awareness, and feelings of interconnectedness,” state the Results (1). According to the responses, the psilocybin helped participants experience new, more positive emotions such as a sense of belonging (1).

“Our findings suggest that psilocybin treatment prompted meaningful and enduring improvements in self-compassion and affect regulation,” read the Impact Statement, in part (1). “These psychological processes may help individuals with AUD cope with difficult emotions and stress and prevent relapse by encouraging adaptive coping responses.”

Reference

1. Agin-Liebes, G.; Nielson, E. M.; Zingman, M.; Kim, K.; Haas, A.; Owens, L. T.; Rogers, U.; Bogenschutz, M. Reports of Self-Compassion and Affect Regulation in Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Psychology of Addictive Behaviors 2023.