THE EFFECTS OF MDMA-ASSISTED THERAPY ON ALCOHOL AND SUBSTANCE USE IN A PHASE 3 TRIAL FOR TREATMENT OF SEVERE PTSD
Drug and Alcohol Dependence February 1, 2022 Christopher R. Nicholas, Julie B. Wang, A. Coker et al. 67 citations
MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD may also reduce hazardous alcohol use without increasing illicit drug use. In a randomized trial, 90 adults with severe PTSD received either MDMA-assisted therapy or placebo plus therapy. Those in the MDMA group showed a greater reduction in alcohol use scores (average decrease of 1.02 points) compared to a slight increase in the placebo group (average increase of 0.40 points). Changes in drug use scores did not differ between groups. The findings suggest MDMA-assisted therapy could serve as an integrated treatment for co-occurring PTSD and alcohol or substance use disorders.