Attitudes Toward Psychedelic Treatments by Individuals With Histories of Substance Use or Psychiatric Disorders: A Survey Study.
Sara Prostko, Alexander Wu, Samuel Maddams, Veronica Szpak, Naomi Rosenblum, Lori M. Hilt, Joji Suzuki
Journal of Addiction Medicine May 28, 2025 DOI: 10.1097/adm.0000000000001517 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 192 |
| Population | English-speaking adults with alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, or psychiatric disorders at a large tertiary hospital |
| Duration | June 2023 to February 2024 |
| Topics | Addiction |
| Keywords | Patient perceptions Psychedelic-assisted treatment Psychiatric disorders Psychedelic medicine Hallucinogen therapy Psychological intervention Behavioral health Patient views Treatment acceptance |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | A majority of participants with substance use or psychiatric disorders supported psychedelics as a treatment, and willingness to try it was higher among those with prior use of psilocybin, MDMA, or ketamine. |
Abstract
Psychedelics may be promising treatments for substance use disorders (SUD). This study aims to understand how individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), and psychiatric disorders perceive and experience psychedelics for both nonmedical and medical use. Data for this cross-sectional survey study were collected from June 2023 to February 2024 at a large, tertiary hospital through the hospital's patient portal, inpatient floors, and flyers. English-speaking adults with AUD, OUD, and psychiatric disorders were recruited. The response rate was 1.9% and the cooperation rate was 13.7%. The survey collected participants' demographic information, substance use treatment and history, and perceived risks and harms associated with psychedelics and psychedelic treatment. Of 192 participants surveyed, 66% had previously tried psychedelics, 72.4% believed psychedelics could help patients with SUD or psychiatric disorders, and 69.8% said they would personally try psychedelic-assisted treatment for a SUD or psychiatric condition. Participants were significantly more likely to want to try psychedelic treatment for their own SUD or psychiatric disorder if they had previously used psilocybin (90.0% vs. 47.8%, P<0.001), MDMA (89.7% vs. 61.2%, P<0.001), or ketamine (100% vs. 65.7%, P=0.003). Participants against psychedelic treatment were significantly more likely to think that the risks associated with using a psychedelic included depression, anxiety, heart damage, brain damage, addiction, and more. A majority of participants supported psychedelics as a treatment and would accept receiving psychedelics as a treatment. However, further safety trials and educational interventions to best understand the benefits and risks of psychedelic-assisted therapy need to be completed.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Persisting Reductions in Cannabis, Opioid, and Stimulant Misuse After Naturalistic Psychedelic Use: An Online Survey Online survey respondents | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | |
| The users of Novel Psychoactive Substances: Online survey about their characteristics, attitudes and motivations International users of novel psychoactive substances recruited via bluelight.org | 2016 | Cross-sectional online survey | n = 619 |
| User perceptions of the benefits and harms of hallucinogenic drug use: A web-based questionnaire study Users of hallucinogenic drugs who completed a web-based questionnaire | 2010 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 600 |
| Psychological and neuropsychological assessment of regular hoasca users. Regular hoasca users from a U.S. branch of União do Vegetal and matched non-user controls | 2016 | Cross-sectional study | n = 57 |
| Client and counselor attitudes toward the use of medications for treatment of opioid dependence. Counselors and clients from outpatient, methadone, and residential drug treatment programs | 2007 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 1,459 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 26
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- 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
- Efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted treatment for major depressive disorder: Prospective 12-month follow-up Journal of Psychopharmacology February 1, 2022
- Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2015
- Cessation and reduction in alcohol consumption and misuse after psychedelic use Journal of Psychopharmacology May 14, 2019
and 21 more in the library