University Montpellier, Department of Addiction, CHU Nîmes, Nîmes, France, CESP, University Paris-Sud, UVSQ, INSERM, Université Paris-Saclay, Villejuif, France.
2 papers in the library · 22 citations · publishing 2025-2026
A pilot randomized controlled trial tested psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in 30 adults with severe alcohol use disorder and depression who had recently completed detoxification. Participants received either 25 mg or 1 mg of psilocybin in two sessions three weeks apart, alongside standard care. At 12 weeks, the 25 mg group had a significantly higher abstinence rate (55% vs 11%), greater reductions in drinking days and craving frequency, and a lower relapse rate (35% vs 50%), though the latter difference was not statistically significant. Blinding was imperfect, and one serious adverse event (myocardial infarction) occurred in the 25 mg group, deemed unrelated. The treatment appears feasible, acceptable, and safe in this population.
In psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, participants who responded to treatment described their experience as an inner dialogue and used adaptive coping strategies, while non-responders focused on sensory and affective details and relied on suppressive coping. The presence of inner dialogue may represent a unique therapeutic mechanism, underscoring the value of preparation and integration in such therapy.