Cited by 227Psychedelics and Drug StudiesSubstance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesReligion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Assessment of addiction severity among ritual users of ayahuasca.

Fábregas, Josep Maria, González, Débora, Fondevila, Sabela, Cutchet, Marta, Fernández, Xavier, Barbosa, Paulo César Ribeiro, Alcázar-Córcoles, Miguel Ángel, Barbanoj, Manel J. +2 more·2010·Drug and Alcohol Dependence

Abstract

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage used for magico-religious purposes in the Amazon. Recently, Brazilian syncretic churches have helped spread the ritual use of ayahuasca abroad. This trend has raised concerns that regular use of this N,N-dimethyltryptamine-containing tea may lead to the medical and psychosocial problems typically associated with drugs of abuse. Here we assess potential drug abuse-related problems in regular ayahuasca users. Addiction severity was assessed using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), and history of alcohol and illicit drug use was recorded. In Study 1, jungle-based ayahuasca users (n=56) were compared vs. rural controls (n=56). In Study 2, urban-based ayahuasca users (n=71) were compared vs. urban controls (n=59). Follow-up studies were conducted 1 year later. In both studies, ayahuasca users showed significantly lower scores than controls on the ASI Alcohol Use, and Psychiatric Status subscales. The jungle-based ayahuasca users showed a significantly higher frequency of previous illicit drug use but this had ceased at the time of examination, except for cannabis. At follow-up, abstinence from illicit drug use was maintained in both groups except for cannabis in Study 1. However, differences on ASI scores were still significant in the jungle-based group but not in the urban group. Despite continuing ayahuasca use, a time-dependent worsening was only observed in one subscale (Family/Social relationships) in Study 2. Overall, the ritual use of ayahuasca, as assessed with the ASI in currently active users, does not appear to be associated with the deleterious psychosocial effects typically caused by other drugs of abuse.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.03.024

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Authors
Fábregas, J. M., González, D., Fondevila, S., Cutchet, M., Fernández, X., Barbosa, P. C. R., Alcázar-Córcoles, M. Á., Barbanoj, M. J., Riba, J., & Bouso, J. C.
Affiliations
  • Universidad Complutense de Madrid (ES)
  • Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (BR)
  • Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ES)
  • Hospital de Sant Pau (ES)
Corresponding author
Bouso, José Carlos
Venue
Drug and Alcohol Dependence
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2010-10
Volume
111
Issue
3
Pages
257-261
ISSN
0376-8716 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2116852450
Cited by
227
References
25
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 16 · 2024: 18 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 25 · 2021: 28 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 15 · 2018: 17 · 2017: 11 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 13
FWCI
9.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Drug and Alcohol Dependence (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Keywords
ayahuasca, ritual drug use, addiction severity, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, illicit drug use, cannabis use, alcohol consumption, psychosocial impact, family and social relationships, Addiction Severity Index
MeSH terms
Adult, Brazil, Ceremonial Behavior, Female, Follow-Up Studies, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Severity of Illness Index, Illicit Drugs, Behavior, Addictive, Substance-Related Disorders, Banisteriopsis, Young Adult

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