"The bad news is, this enthusiasm, particularly around psilocybin, sometimes outpaced the data-raising critical questions about whether psychedelics are suited for treating AUD and if the field could be succumbing to a wave of therapeutic hype,"
"The evidence for their role in treating AUD is limited and much of it is quite flawed. Meanwhile, we have extensive, high-quality evidence supporting the efficacy and safety of already-existing AUD treatments, especially when paired with structured behavioral support such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). As addiction psychiatrists, our immediate priority should be advocating wider use of treatments we already know work, rather than being swept away by incomplete and largely uninterpretable data on psychedelics. The last thing we want is for patients to self-administer psilocybin for AUD when existing treatments are much safer and more effective."
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is marked by compulsive drinking, loss of control, and negative emotional states during abstinence, and has been linked to dementia. Relapse rates reach approximately 60–70% within a year after treatment cessation. Approved medications such as naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram have demonstrated consistent benefits but remain infrequently used. Psychedelics including psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA are under investigation for several psychiatric conditions and substance use disorders, but evidence for psychedelics in treating AUD is limited and methodologically flawed. High-quality evidence supports existing AUD treatments, particularly when combined with structured behavioral supports like Alcoholics Anonymous.
Read at Psychology Today
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