Within-treatment changes in a novel addiction treatment program using traditional Amazonian medicine
D. O’Shaughnessy, I. Berlowitz, Robin Rodd, Z. Sarnyai, F. Quirk
Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology January 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1177/2045125320986634 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA residential addiction treatment center in Tarapoto, Peru that combines Western and traditional Amazonian methods showed significant and clinically positive changes across all repeated psychological measures in 36 male inpatients. Improvements appeared early and were maintained over time, with significant gains also in neuropsychological functioning. The sample was 58% South American, 28% European, and 14% North American. The authors conclude the results provide evidence for treatment safety and suggest positive therapeutic effects.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 36 |
| Population | Male inpatients in a residential addiction treatment center in Tarapoto, Peru |
| Intervention | combination of Western and traditional Amazonian methods |
| Duration | At least 2 months for neuropsychological assessment; repeated measures throughout treatment |
| Keywords | Medicine Environmental science |
| Key finding | Statistically significant and clinically positive changes were found across all repeated measures of perceived stress, craving frequency, mental illness symptoms, spiritual well-being, and physical and emotional health, as well as in neuropsychological functioning. |
Abstract
Aims: The therapeutic use of psychedelics is regaining scientific momentum, but similarly psychoactive ethnobotanical substances have a long history of medical (and other) uses in indigenous contexts. Here we aimed to evaluate patient outcomes in a residential addiction treatment center that employs a novel combination of Western and traditional Amazonian methods. Methods: The study was observational, with repeated measures applied throughout treatment. All tests were administered in the center, which is located in Tarapoto, Peru. Data were collected between 2014 and 2015, and the study sample consisted of 36 male inpatients who were motivated to seek treatment and who entered into treatment voluntarily. Around 58% of the sample was from South America, 28% from Europe, and the remaining 14% from North America. We primarily employed repeated measures on a psychological test battery administered throughout treatment, measuring perceived stress, craving frequency, mental illness symptoms, spiritual well-being, and physical and emotional health. Addiction severity was measured on intake, and neuropsychological performance was assessed in a subsample from intake to at least 2 months into treatment. Results: Statistically significant and clinically positive changes were found across all repeated measures. These changes appeared early in the treatment and were maintained over time. Significant improvements were also found for neuropsychological functioning. Conclusion: These results provide evidence for treatment safety in a highly novel addiction treatment setting, while also suggesting positive therapeutic effects.