Attitudes Toward Psychedelic Treatments by Individuals With Histories of Substance Use or Psychiatric Disorders: A Survey Study.
Journal of addiction medicine – May 28, 2025
Source: PubMed
Summary
Patient perceptions of psychedelic-assisted treatment are shifting dramatically, with 72% of individuals with substance use disorder or psychiatric disorders believing in their therapeutic potential. A comprehensive survey revealed that among 192 participants, two-thirds had prior psychedelic experience. Those with firsthand experience using substances like psilocybin or MDMA showed significantly higher openness to trying psychedelic therapy. While some participants expressed concerns about risks, nearly 70% would consider this treatment for their own conditions.
Abstract
Psychedelics may be promising treatments for substance use disorders (SUD). This study aims to understand how individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), and psychiatric disorders perceive and experience psychedelics for both nonmedical and medical use. Data for this cross-sectional survey study were collected from June 2023 to February 2024 at a large, tertiary hospital through the hospital's patient portal, inpatient floors, and flyers. English-speaking adults with AUD, OUD, and psychiatric disorders were recruited. The response rate was 1.9% and the cooperation rate was 13.7%. The survey collected participants' demographic information, substance use treatment and history, and perceived risks and harms associated with psychedelics and psychedelic treatment. Of 192 participants surveyed, 66% had previously tried psychedelics, 72.4% believed psychedelics could help patients with SUD or psychiatric disorders, and 69.8% said they would personally try psychedelic-assisted treatment for a SUD or psychiatric condition. Participants were significantly more likely to want to try psychedelic treatment for their own SUD or psychiatric disorder if they had previously used psilocybin (90.0% vs. 47.8%, P<0.001), MDMA (89.7% vs. 61.2%, P<0.001), or ketamine (100% vs. 65.7%, P=0.003). Participants against psychedelic treatment were significantly more likely to think that the risks associated with using a psychedelic included depression, anxiety, heart damage, brain damage, addiction, and more. A majority of participants supported psychedelics as a treatment and would accept receiving psychedelics as a treatment. However, further safety trials and educational interventions to best understand the benefits and risks of psychedelic-assisted therapy need to be completed.