Cessation and reduction in alcohol consumption and misuse after psychedelic use

In a survey of 343 people who had problematic alcohol use for an average of seven years and then used psychedelics in non-clinical settings, 83% no longer met criteria for alcohol use disorder after the experience. Most respondents were White males in the USA who took moderate or high doses of LSD or psilocybin. They rated the experience as highly meaningful and insightful, and 28% said changes in life priorities or values helped reduce alcohol misuse. Greater dose, insight, mystical-type effects, and personal meaning were linked to larger reductions in drinking. The results suggest naturalistic psychedelic use may reduce problematic alcohol use, supporting further research into psychedelic-assisted treatment.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Background: Meta-analysis of randomized studies using lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for alcohol use disorder (AUD) showed large, significant effects for LSD efficacy compared to control conditions. Clinical studies suggest potential anti-addiction effects of LSD and mechanistically-related classic psychedelics for alcohol and other substance use disorders. Aims: To supplement clinical studies, reports of psychedelic use in naturalistic settings can provide further data regarding potential effects of psychedelics on alcohol use. Methods: An anonymous online survey of individuals with prior AUD reporting cessation or reduction in alcohol use following psychedelic use in non-clinical settings. Results: 343 respondents, mostly White (89%), males (78%), in the USA (60%) completed the survey. Participants reported seven years of problematic alcohol use on average before the psychedelic experience to which they attributed reduced alcohol consumption, with 72% meeting retrospective criteria for severe AUD. Most reported taking a moderate or high dose of LSD (38%) or psilocybin (36%), followed by significant reduction in alcohol consumption. After the psychedelic experience 83% no longer met AUD criteria. Participants rated their psychedelic experience as highly meaningful and insightful, with 28% endorsing psychedelic-associated changes in life priorities or values as facilitating reduced alcohol misuse. Greater psychedelic dose, insight, mystical-type effects, and personal meaning of experiences were associated with a greater reduction in alcohol consumption, controlling for prior alcohol consumption and related distress. Conclusions: Although results cannot demonstrate causality, they suggest that naturalistic psychedelic use may lead to cessation or reduction in problematic alcohol use, supporting further investigation of psychedelic-assisted treatment for AUD.