Peyote in the Treatment of Alcoholism Among American Indians
Bernard Albaugh, Philip O. Anderson
American Journal of Psychiatry November 1, 1974 DOI: 10.1176/ajp.131.11.1247 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA treatment program for alcoholism among American Indians combines occupational and cultural therapy, including participation in Native American Church peyote meetings. During these meetings, participants ingest peyote (mescaline), which facilitates cathartic expression and enhances suggestibility. The authors do not propose that the peyote meeting is a cure for alcoholism but suggest it offers specific advantages for treating the unique problems of Indian alcoholics.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Program description and evaluation Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | American Indian alcoholics |
| Intervention | cultural therapy |
| Keywords | Native american Medicine Psychiatry Psychotherapist Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 128 |
| Key finding | A treatment program incorporating Native American Church peyote meetings offers specific advantages for treating alcoholism among American Indians, though it is not proposed as a cure. |
Abstract
The authors examine the development and effectiveness of a treatment program for alcoholism among American Indians. This program offers the alcoholic Indian both occupational and cultural therapy, including participation in the services of the Native American Church (peyote meetings). During these meetings, participants often ingest peyote (mescaline), which, like LSD, facilitates cathartic expression and enhances suggestibility. Although the authors do not propose that the peyote meeting is a cure for alcoholism, they feel it offers some specific advantages in the treatment of the unique problems of the Indian alcoholic.