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Recent coverage in Pharmacy Times examines psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder. Early results look promising enough for serious study, while the treatment gap remains enormous.
Why Researchers Are Looking
Alcohol use disorder kills an estimated 178,307 people each year in the United States based on annual deaths during 2020 and 2021. That figure represents an increase of roughly 29.3 percent from 2016 and 2017.
Naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram and gabapentinoids have reduced alcohol consumption for some patients. These medications haven’t consistently produced sustained abstinence.
That treatment gap has pushed researchers to revisit psilocybin. Certain mushrooms contain this psychoactive compound. Researchers now study it as part of therapy, rather than as a drug that people take on its own.
What the Evidence Shows So Far
Psilocybin assisted therapy may help some people who have not responded to standard medications. This is based on early clinical evidence.
A person takes psilocybin during a carefully prepared session. This is done under professional supervision. Therapists then integrate the experience into ongoing therapy before and after the session.
Researchers theorize that psilocybin may interrupt thought patterns that keep people trapped in the drinking cycle. However, the available evidence remains preliminary.
Researchers continue to investigate the approach, while regulators have not approved it as a standard treatment.
The cost question works both ways. A single supervised session can cost a significant amount. If the effects last for months or longer, the overall cost could compare favorably with the recurring expenses associated with relapse hospitalization and liver disease.
It points to the treatment gap that leaves many people with alcohol use disorder without professional care.
What This Means for Sobriety Today
Honesty matters since people in crisis may search for anything that could help. Psilocybin assisted therapy does not currently qualify as a standard treatment.
People should not attempt psilocybin-assisted therapy outside a legitimate clinical trial. Unregulated retreats can also create serious risks for people with AUD.
The established paths to sobriety remain available. They include peer support and for many people AA meetings and daily practice.
The research pipeline for alcohol use disorder continues to expand after decades of limited progress.
If researchers eventually establish enough evidence for regulators to approve psilocybin assisted therapy, it could add another option rather than replace existing treatments.
People who have not responded to current approaches could have another potential path.
Protecting Your Recovery Now
Keep attending meetings whether you choose a 12 step program or another form of peer support.
Sober.com lists AA meetings in every state with online and in person options. If you take medication for alcohol use disorder, be sure to talk with your prescriber before you make any changes.
You can also ask your provider about clinical trials if you’re interested in exploring emerging therapies.
Use the free Sober App to track sober days, savings and sleep, which gives the gradual work of recovery a visible record.
Sobriety develops over weeks and months. The tools available today can give you a place to start.
Nikki Wisher is an Atlanta-based content writer with more than a decade of experience. She specializes in creating content related to health and wellness. She also enjoys creating content in many other areas, like photography, beauty, and marketing. Her passion project is her inclusive running blog, forallrunners.com.
View ProfileEric Owens is a writer and editor with a bachelor degree in Philosophy, which has helped him with presenting complex information in a simple way that all audiences can understand. He specializes in the mental health and addiction recovery space. He’s also passionate about the environment and has extensive experience in creating content related to sustainability issues
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