Acceptability of shamanic healing for treating psychostimulant dependence: a pilot survey
Focus on Alternative and Complementary Therapies March 1, 2014 Alison Oliveto, Michael J Mancino, Jeff Thostenson et al. 1 citation
Among 103 psychostimulant users in central Arkansas surveyed about their willingness to participate in research involving shamanic healing, 74.8% said they would be willing. Women were more likely than men to indicate willingness. Religious affiliation, age, race, primary drug problem, and prior experience with alternative therapy were not linked to willingness. Those who said participation would go against their religious beliefs were always evangelical; those wanting more information were most often traditionally religious; and those citing time commitment as a reason for refusal were more likely to have tried alternative therapy. The findings suggest that research on shamanic healing for psychostimulant dependence may be feasible, even in a region with many evangelical Christians.