Attitudes of Mental Healthcare Professionals Towards the Use of Psychedelics in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review
F. van Dalen, Stephan Tap, S. D. Venema, Robert A Schoevers, S. K. Spoelstra
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 17, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2026.2685514 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 966 |
| Population | Mental healthcare professionals |
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Substance use Health professionals Perception Medline Mental health care Evidence-based practice Systematic review Scientific literature Clinical practice Psychotherapist Scientific evidence Substance abuse Mental healthcare Mental illness Nursing |
| Key findings | Most mental healthcare professionals hold cautiously optimistic attitudes toward psychedelic-assisted therapy for substance use disorder, with knowledge and familiarity predicting more positive views. |
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is increasingly recognized as a potential novel treatment for substance use disorder (SUD). As evidence continues to grow, the successful implementation of this modality into clinical practice will depend significantly on the perceptions and attitudes of mental healthcare professionals. Accordingly, a systematic review was conducted to provide a comprehensive overview of the scientific literature on how professionals view the use of psychedelics for the treatment of SUD. A systematic search was performed across six databases, including PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, and SocIndex. A total of six studies were identified with a total of 966 participants. Findings revealed that the majority of mental healthcare professionals hold a cautiously optimistic attitude toward PAT. Moreover, a minority expressed hesitancy and critical perspectives, citing concerns about safety, efficacy, and the practical challenges of integrating PAT into existing clinical frameworks. Finally, the results indicate that knowledge and familiarity with PAT were key predictors of a more positive outlook. Given the current limited level of knowledge among professionals, these findings underscore a significant need for targeted education and training. Addressing these barriers is essential to facilitate the effective and responsible integration of PAT into standard clinical care for SUD.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ketamine use: a review Ketamine users | 2011 | Systematic review | |
| Mindfulness Meditation for Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review Individuals with substance use disorders | 2009 | Systematic review | |
| Mindfulness-Based Interventions for the Treatment of Substance and Behavioral Addictions: A Systematic Review | 2018 | Systematic review | |
| Ketamine for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders: comprehensive systematic review | 2021 | Systematic review | |
| Therapeutic Use of LSD in Psychiatry: A Systematic Review of Randomized-Controlled Clinical Trials Patients with psychiatric disorders, primarily alcoholism | 2020 | Systematic review | n = 567 |
Citations in the library
Cites 46
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction Journal of Psychopharmacology September 11, 2014
- Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse July 21, 2016
- Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder JAMA Psychiatry August 24, 2022
and 41 more in the library