Among 192 adults with alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, or psychiatric disorders surveyed at a large hospital, 66% had previously tried psychedelics, 72.4% believed psychedelics could help patients with substance use or psychiatric disorders, and 69.8% said they would personally try psychedelic-assisted treatment for such a condition. Willingness to try psychedelic treatment was significantly higher among those who had previously used psilocybin (90.0% vs. 47.8%), MDMA (89.7% vs. 61.2%), or ketamine (100% vs. 65.7%). Participants opposed to psychedelic treatment were more likely to perceive risks including depression, anxiety, heart damage, brain damage, and addiction. The authors conclude that further safety trials and educational interventions are needed.
Adults with opioid use disorder who have survived injection-related infections generally support psychedelic-assisted therapy as a treatment for substance use disorders, but they also express concerns. In interviews with 17 participants, common supportive themes included that hospitalization helped them recognize the severity of their disorder, that psychedelic-assisted therapy could foster insight and openness to recovery, and that professional monitoring during sessions was reassuring. Participants also valued addressing underlying mental health issues and the role of spirituality. Concerns centered on the possibility of a "bad trip," adverse effects, relapse risk, and misuse of psychedelics. Further research is needed, especially when standard medications have failed.