Peyote in the Treatment of Alcoholism Among American Indians

Abstract

The authors examine the development and effectiveness of a treatment program for alcoholism among American Indians. This program offers the alcoholic Indian both occupational and cultural therapy, including participation in the services of the Native American Church (peyote meetings). During these meetings, participants often ingest peyote (mescaline), which, like LSD, facilitates cathartic expression and enhances suggestibility. Although the authors do not propose that the peyote meeting is a cure for alcoholism, they feel it offers some specific advantages in the treatment of the unique problems of the Indian alcoholic.