title: Ayahuasca-assisted therapy for addiction: results from a preliminary observational study in Canada.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This paper reports results from a preliminary observational study of ayahuasca-assisted treatment for problematic substance use and stress delivered in a rural First Nations community in British Columbia, Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  The "Working with Addiction and Stress" retreats combined four days of group counselling with two expert-led ayahuasca ceremonies. This study collected pre-treatment and six months follow-up data from 12 participants on several psychological and behavioral factors related to problematic substance use, and qualitative data assessing the personal experiences of the participants six months after the retreat.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant (p < 0.05) improvements were demonstrated for scales assessing hopefulness, empowerment, mindfulness, and quality of life meaning and outlook subscales. Self-reported alcohol, tobacco and cocaine use declined, although cannabis and opiate use did not; reported reductions in problematic cocaine use were statistically significant. All study participants reported positive and lasting changes from participating in the retreats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This form of ayahuasca-assisted therapy appears to be associated with statistically significant improvements in several factors related to problematic substance use among a rural aboriginal population. These findings suggest participants may have experienced positive psychological and behavioral changes in response to this therapeutic approach, and that more rigorous research of ayahuasca-assisted therapy for problematic substance use is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Addictions Research of British Columbia, Canada. gthomas@okanaganresearch.com
authors.forename: Gerald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: N Rielle
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Capler
authors.forename: Kenneth W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Tupper
authors.forename: Gina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Martin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D031581:Banisteriopsis; D002170:Canada; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012424:Rural Population; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts