Psychedelic Therapy for Addiction

Psychedelics are a classification of substances that change your perception and mood and impact your cognitive processes. People who use psychedelic drugs report feeling strong emotions ranging from euphoria to anxiety and fear. But what potential do psychedelics bring to therapy settings?

Many of these types of drugs derive from plants and fungi while some are also synthetic or made in a lab. The term “hallucinogens” is often used as an umbrella term for psychedelic and dissociative drugs.

Researchers are looking into the role that psychedelics may play in therapy, including as a possible treatment for addiction. Clinical studies around the topic are seeking to understand how psychedelics interact with your brain and how that could have therapeutic benefits for you on your recovery journey.

What Is Psychedelic Therapy?

Psychedelic assisted therapy is a method that involves a patient ingesting a prescribed psychedelic drug as part of a therapeutic process. This method has been used to treat depression, anxiety, substance use disorder (SUD) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Clinical trials have shown that taking these medications alongside therapeutic intervention can result in few symptoms with minimal side effects from the drugs.

How Does Psychedelic Therapy Work?

Psychedelic therapy works by utilizing these drugs to interact with the neurochemicals in your brain. This can produce temporary effects that lead to long term and meaningful changes.

Some of the effects that psychedelics can have on your brain and behavior include:

• Reduced feelings of fear and anxiety
• Increased social engagement
• Desire for connection
• Feelings of empathy and compassion
• Increased receptiveness to others
• More psychological flexibility
• Openness to new perspectives

These effects have been shown to lead to emotional and therapeutic breakthroughs in clinical studies. When you are struggling with an SUD the reward circuit of your brain is often hijacked by the addictive substance.

This leads to a decreased ability to take on new information or change your thought patterns. This is why psychedelic drugs can contribute to a meaningful therapy experience in overcoming SUD.

Some of the benefits that have been seen in psychedelic therapy for SUD include:

• The reversal of impaired brain function related to reward processing
• Reduced impulsivity
• Increased inhibitory control
• Better emotional regulation
• Improved deficits of certain brain chemicals that contribute to addiction

Types of Psychedelic Therapy Approaches

Using psychedelics for therapy can be done in a few different ways. A typical therapy session will be guided by a mental health professional and perhaps medical professionals as well to monitor your wellbeing.

There are three stages a provider may take you through:

• Preparation focuses on educating you on the potential experiences you may have while under the influence of a psychedelic as well as setting expectations and goals for the psychedelic session.
• Dosing refers to the stage where you feel prepared to engage in a therapeutic session while under the influence of a psychedelic drug.
• Integration is the process that takes place after you’ve had your psychedelic experience and helps you to apply any breakthroughs or changes to your life moving forward.

Not all therapists will follow this exact approach but most will involve some level of therapy before and after you ingest the drug to make sure you experience real therapeutic change.

Ketamine assisted therapy is the only version of psychedelic therapy available in America right now but ongoing studies and trials are looking into the possible future use of further psychedelic drugs in this capacity.

History of Psychedelics

The term “psychedelics” was coined by Humphrey Osmond in 1957 and alludes to the mind altering capabilities of these drugs.Historical uses of psilocybin date back to the Aztec shaman who would use the substance in healing and spiritual rituals. Native Americans have used a small cactus plant called Peyote as a religious and spiritual sacrament for thousands of years.

More recent scientific research around the use of a psychedelic began around 1943 when Albert Hoffman began to study LSD and its psychoactive effects. Within several years psychedelic drug therapy became a widely used clinical practice.

The Controlled Substances Act in the 1970s effectively banned psychedelic therapy using most psychedelics for many years until recently as researchers have been looking into the efficacy of psychedelic therapy in treating certain mental health conditions.

Types of Psychedelics

Several different categories and types of psychedelics exist.

Classic psychedelic drugs or serotonergic agonists are known to specifically interact with the serotonin receptors in the brain. These drugs include:

• Psilocybin (or psychedelic mushrooms)
• LSD
• Mescaline

There are a few psychedelics that are known as dissociative drugs because they can often make you feel disconnected from your body or your environment. These include:

• Ketamine
• PCP
• DXM
• Salvia

There are also a few psychoactive drugs that do not produce the same type of hallucinogenic effect as psychedelics but do increase feelings of empathy and dissociation. These are known as empathogens and include:

• MDMA
• MDA
• MDEA

Where Can I Find Information About Substance Abuse Treatment?

If you or a loved one has a substance use disorder then you have options for finding treatment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a 24 hour helpline for those needing assistance for mental health conditions including eating disorders. You can call or text 988 to speak to someone about your treatment options.

You can also visit our website to find a list of treatment centers in your area and learn more about what services they offer.

Additionally we recommend speaking to your doctor or healthcare provider about any symptoms of substance use disorder you are experiencing and asking for resources to help in your recovery.

Other options include local support groups and meetings such as Narcotics Anonymous that you can attend for free to link up with others navigating a similar journey.

What Are the Treatment Options for Drug Addiction?

Many treatment options exist for drug addiction and which one you are recommended for will depend on an assessment from a professional.

Detox

Many recovery journeys start with detox which is the process your body goes through to get rid of any substances you’ve been using. This process can have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and many detox centers provide medical care to ease these symptoms as you detox.

Inpatient Treatment

The highest level of care will involve inpatient treatment which means you will stay overnight for some time at your rehab facility. This ensures that you have around the clock care to monitor your progress and health. Inpatient care often includes:

• Medical interventions
• Regular check ups with medical staff
• Individual therapy appointments
• Group therapy

Outpatient treatment

This level of treatment often involves many of the same interventions as inpatient care but you do not stay overnight at the facility. You can expect to attend regular appointments throughout your week and engage in creating an aftercare plan.

Aftercare

Once you have completed a treatment program then you will be given an aftercare plan by your recovery team. This is to help prevent relapse and provide ongoing support as you reenter your life. An aftercare plan may include check ins with a doctor or therapist and attending local support groups to continue your recovery.

If you or someone you know has a substance use disorder then you have several options for treatment. The first step is reaching out and talking to someone about your substance use.