title: Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: a proof-of-concept study.
abstract: Several lines of evidence suggest that classic (5HT2A agonist) hallucinogens have clinically relevant effects in alcohol and drug addiction. Although recent studies have investigated the effects of psilocybin in various populations, there have been no studies on the efficacy of psilocybin for alcohol dependence. We conducted a single-group proof-of-concept study to quantify acute effects of psilocybin in alcohol-dependent participants and to provide preliminary outcome and safety data. Ten volunteers with DSM-IV alcohol dependence received orally administered psilocybin in one or two supervised sessions in addition to Motivational Enhancement Therapy and therapy sessions devoted to preparation for and debriefing from the psilocybin sessions. Participants' responses to psilocybin were qualitatively similar to those described in other populations. Abstinence did not increase significantly in the first 4 weeks of treatment (when participants had not yet received psilocybin), but increased significantly following psilocybin administration (p < 0.05). Gains were largely maintained at follow-up to 36 weeks. The intensity of effects in the first psilocybin session (at week 4) strongly predicted change in drinking during weeks 5-8 (r = 0.76 to r = 0.89) and also predicted decreases in craving and increases in abstinence self-efficacy during week 5. There were no significant treatment-related adverse events. These preliminary findings provide a strong rationale for controlled trials with larger samples to investigate efficacy and mechanisms.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  NCT02061293.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA mbogenschutz@salud.unm.edu.
authors.forename: Michael P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Bogenschutz
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Alyssa A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Forcehimes
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Pommy
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Claire E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Wilcox
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Filosofia e Ciencias Humanas Ilheus, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: P C R
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Barbosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM, USA.
authors.forename: Rick J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Strassman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011562:Psilocybin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006213:Hallucinogens; D011562:Psilocybin
keywords: Addiction treatment; alcoholism; clinical trial; hallucinogens; motivational interviewing; psilocybin