This systematic review and meta-analysis (s=6; 2023) assessed the role of psychedelics in treating alcoholism (AUD). LSD and any psychedelic therapy showed enhanced odds of achieving abstinence or reducing alcohol consumption in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. However, the study highlights methodological weaknesses in the literature. It suggests that while promising, definitive statements about the value of psychedelics in treating AUD are precluded, emphasizing the need for future trials with greater rigour.
Abstract of The impact of psychedelics on patients with alcohol use disorder
“Objectives: Critique the available systematic review and de novo assessment of the role of psychedelics in the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed was completed from 1960 to 9/9/2023. We pooled randomized controlled trials comparing psychedelics to control therapy for the treatment of alcohol use disorder.
Results: At the first recorded follow-up, LSD [n = 3, Odds Ratio (OR) 1.99 (95% Confidence interval (CI): 1.10 to 3.61)] and any psychedelic [n = 4, OR 2.16 (95%CI: 1.26 to 3.69)] enhanced the odds of patients achieving abstinence or a substantial reduction in drinking alcohol versus placebo in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. When the inclusion criteria were relaxed to include controlled trials without double-blinding or placebo control, LSD [n = 5, OR 1.79 (95%CI: 1.36 to 2.34)] and any psychedelic therapy [n = 6, OR 1.89 (95%CI: 1.42 to 2.50)] still enhanced the odds of patients achieving abstinence or a substantial reduction in drinking alcohol. Four of 6 trials had high risk of bias and other methodological issues. One trial found an instance of suicidal ideation as well as transient increases in blood pressure that requires further exploration before the balance of benefits to harms can be determined.
Conclusions: The use of psychedelics to treat alcohol use disorder is promising, but the weaknesses in the literature base preclude making definitive statements about its value. Future trials with greater methodological rigor are needed.”
Authors: Dakota Sicignano, Adrian V. Hernandez, Benjamin Schiff, Nawal Elmahy & C. Michael White
Summary of The impact of psychedelics on patients with alcohol use disorder
Introduction
According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, pharmacologic therapy can be added to nonpharmacologic programs to support patient recovery from alcohol use disorder. Psychedelics are an experimental option being explored for alcohol use disorder. There is one systematic review with meta-analysis evaluating alcohol use disorder to date. However, the results may not accurately reflect the nature of the literature because of a denominator change in one trial that amplifies the benefit for the LSD group. Krebs and Johansen 2012 reviewed six trials and graded Smart 1966 as a double-blind trial, yet imputed pooled results with an OR of 1.41. Krebs and Johansen 2012 reported that 88 of 132 LSD patients and 31 of 44 control patients were abstinent at 1 month, but they could not have derived an OR that is greater than 1.0 with the data that they provided.
The authors sought to update the literature and correct the methodological issues we found.
Methods
Find this paper
https://doi.org/10.1080/03007995.2023.2296968
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Cite this paper (APA)
Sicignano, D., Hernandez, A. V., Schiff, B., Elmahy, N., & White, C. M. (2023). The impact of psychedelics on patients with alcohol use disorder: a systematic review with meta-analysis. Current Medical Research and Opinion, 1-24.
Study details
Compounds studied
LSD
Topics studied
Alcohol Use Disorder
Addiction
Study characteristics
Meta-Analysis
Literature Review