Psychedelic treatment for co-occurring alcohol misuse and post-traumatic stress symptoms among United States Special Operations Forces Veterans
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Background&aims: Special Operations Forces Veterans (SOFV) have unique treatment needs stemming from multiple repeated forms of combat exposure resulting in a complex sequela of problems including alcohol misuse and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Current approved pharmacologic treatments for alcohol misuse and PTSD are lacking in adherence and efficacy, warranting novel treatment development. The current study examined the correlations between psychedelic treatment and changes in alcohol misuse among trauma exposed United States SOFV. Method: An anonymous internet-based survey was conducted among SOFV who completed a specific psychedelic clinical program in Mexico. Retrospective questions probed alcohol use and post-traumatic stress symptoms during the 30-days before and 30-days after the psychedelic treatment. A total of 65 SOFV completed treatment and were eligible for contact. Of these, 51 (78%) completed the survey, and 27 (42%) reported alcohol misuse (≥4 on the AUDIT-C) in the 30 days prior to treatment and were included in analyses (Mean Age = 40; male = 96%; Caucasian/White = 96%). Results: There were significant and very large reductions in retrospective reports of alcohol use (P< 0.001;d= –2.4) and post-traumatic stress symptoms (P< 0.001;d= –2.8) and a significant and large increase in psychological flexibility (P< 0.001;d= –1.8), from before-to-after the psychedelic treatment. In the 30 days after treatment, 85% reduced their alcohol consumption to non-risky levels (33% abstinent; 52% non-risky drinking). Increases in psychological flexibility were strongly associated with reductions in alcohol use and post-traumatic stress symptoms (rs range 0.38–0.90; ps < 0.05). Conclusion: Rigorous longitudinal studies should be conducted to determine whether psychedelic-assisted therapy holds promise as an intervention in this population.
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Two retrospective survey studies suggest that increased psychological flexibility might mediate the therapeutic effects of the quality of the psychedelic experience on depression and anxiety and of psychedelic therapy on alcohol consumption and posttraumatic stress symptoms.
“Two retrospective survey studies suggest that increased psychological flexibility might mediate the therapeutic effects of the quality of the psychedelic experience on depression and anxiety on the one hand [59] and of psychedelic therapy on alcohol consumption and posttraumatic stress symptoms on the other hand [60].”
From Psilocybin-assisted therapy for severe alcohol use disorder: protocol for a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, 7-month parallel-group phase II superiority trial (2024) · cites this paper as [60]
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- Authors
- Mangini, P., Averill, L. A., & Davis, A. K.
- Affiliations
- Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (US)
- Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center (US)
- Johns Hopkins University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Mangini, Pratheek
- Averill, Lynnette A.
- Davis, Alan K.
- Venue
- Journal of Psychedelic Studies
- Publisher
- Akademiai Kiado Zrt.
- Published
- 2022-02-01
- Volume
- 5
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 149-155
- ISSN
- 2559-9283 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3214774976
- Cited by
- 19
- References
- 43
- Citations by year
- 2026: 3 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 5 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 1
- FWCI
- 1.88
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Journal of Psychedelic Studies (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Research
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Keywords
- psychedelic therapy, alcohol abuse, posttraumatic stress symptoms, combat exposure, psychological flexibility, AUDIT-C, alcohol consumption reduction, military veterans
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