LSD in the Treatment of Alcoholism
American Journal of Psychiatry – October 01, 1969
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
A compelling finding from a study involving 95 alcoholic patients reveals that while all treatment groups, including those receiving LSD and methamphetamine, showed improvement in drinking and employment after one year, no significant difference existed between the groups. With an impressive 87 percent follow-up rate, the results challenge the efficacy of LSD treatment in alcoholism, suggesting that traditional routine care may be equally effective. This highlights the need for continued exploration in substance abuse treatment and outcomes within psychiatry and clinical psychology.
Abstract
Ninety-five alcoholic patients took part in a single-blind study of the efficacy of LSD treatment, which featured four treatment groups: LSD given with and without a therapist present, sodium amobarbital-methamphetamine hydrochloride given with a therapist present, and routine clinic care. At one-year follow-up, with 87 percent of the patients reporting, all groups showed significant improvement in the areas of drinking and employment, but there was no significant difference between groups on any improvement criterion measure. This study thus lends no support to the claims made for the efficacy of LSD treatment in alcoholism.