Le LSD comme traitement de la dépendance à l’alcool en France (1960-1967)
Psychotropes September 15, 2026 DOI: 10.3917/psyt.323.0035 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Historical analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD |
| Key points | Argues that France was distinctive in the first wave of Western LSD research: it conducted clinical trials of LSD for alcoholism, unlike most of Europe, and French therapists employed a specific "shock" model. The article contrasts this with the North American "psychedelic" model (high doses, one to three sessions, often for alcoholism) and the European "psycholytic" model (low, gradually increased doses, many sessions, rarely for alcoholism). |
Abstract
Durant la première vague d’études occidentales sur les propriétés thérapeutiques du LSD, l’une de ses indications principales dans le modèle « psychédélique » (administration de fortes doses en une à trois séances, surtout utilisée en Amérique du Nord) concerne le traitement de la dépendance à l’alcool. À l’inverse, en Europe, où se développait le modèle « psycholytique » (faibles doses augmentées progressivement et nombre important de séances), cette indication demeure limitée. Pourtant, la France se démarque par une double singularité : non seulement des essais cliniques du LSD dans le traitement de l’alcoolisme y ont été menés, mais le modèle même employé, celui du choc, est spécifique aux thérapeutes de ce pays. À partir d’archives inédites, cet article présente les différents types de thérapies ayant coexisté à l’époque et analyse plus spécifiquement le cas français.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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State of the evidence: LSD Unclear
Argues that France was distinctive in the first wave of Western LSD research by conducting clinical trials of LSD for alcoholism using a specific 'shock' model, contrasting with North American psychedelic and European psycholytic models.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Experimental Use of Psychedelic (LSD) Psychotherapy | 1970 | Historical analysis | |
| LSD: My Problem Child | 1981 | Historical analysis | |
| On the Use and Abuse of LSD | 1968 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Use of Music in Psychedelic (LSD) Psychotherapy | 1972 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Flashbacks: Recurrent Intrusive Images After the Use of LSD | 1969 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 12
- Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Psilocybin in 9 Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry November 15, 2006
- The Therapeutic Value of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Mental Illness Journal of Mental Science April 1, 1954
- Treatment of alcoholism using psychedelic drugs: a review of the program of research. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 1998
- ‘Hitting Highs at Rock Bottom’: LSD Treatment for Alcoholism, 1950–1970 Social History of Medicine July 17, 2006
- Acid Hype University of Illinois Press eBooks May 1, 2015
and 7 more in the library