Psychedelics Treatment Outcomes
selected research articles
Psychedelic drugs taken for recreational reasons are, with the possible exception of ketamine, not especially difficult to give up or use in a controlled and safe way. There are no specific treatments for psychedelics and so, where their use becomes problematic, social support is key to the success of treatment, and, as with any other drug, it makes good sense to use a socially based intervention such as Social Behaviour and Network Therapy (SBNT) or the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA). Given that psychedelics are seen as mainly unproblematic, there is a lack of evidence supporting any interventions.
Psychedelics have been used to enhance spiritual arousal and for treatment of psychiatric disorders, notably depression, PTSD and obsessive compulsive problems, and for personal growth therapies, for which some evidence of effectiveness is available.
Meta-analysis :: How good are psychosocial interventions?
Davis ML, Powers MB, Handelsman P, Medina JL, Zvolensky M, and A. J. Smits JAJ (2015) Behavioral Therapies for Treatment-Seeking Cannabis Users: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Evaluation & the Health Professions 38: 94-114
This study reviewed Behavioural Treatment (BT - contingency management, cognitive behaviour therapy, motivational enhancement, and relapse prevention) with being on a Waiting List (WL) or Active Treatment (AT - support or counselling). Behavioural treatments have modest benefits. Still only 50% of clients are abstinent for the first 2 weeks and half of these relapse within 12 months. The combined behavioural treatments were significantly better than the controls.
The chart shows the size of treatment effects. Effect sizes were similar for cannabis use and psychosocial outcomes.
Pharmacotherapies
There is no gold standard pharmacotherapy for cannabis
Studies to date are inadequate for estimating effect sizes of pharmacotherapies. At this time no medications are recommended.
Findings indicate that SSRI antidepressants, mixed action antidepressants, bupropion, buspirone and atomoxetine are probably of little value in the treatment of cannabis dependence. The evidence is weak and further research is required.
Other evidence
In more recent times cannabis has been made an illicit substance in most developed countries, albeit the regulations and penalties vary greatly; nonetheless, there are now progressive steps in many places towards legalisation of cannabis for recreational use. There are at least 12 psychoactive phytocannabinoids of which THC, tetrahydrocannabinol, is best known and around 150 phytocannabinoids that do not have a psychoactive effect. Best known of these are cannabidiol, CBD, and cannabigerol, CBG; terpenes give smoked cannabis its characteristic scent.
There is good or reasonable evidence of the effectiveness of cannabis as an analgesic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, anxiolytic, a treatment for PTSD and autism, an anti-psychotic, and hypnotic. Because cannabis contains so many compounds with beneficial effects the best results come from consuming the whole plant.
addiction outcomes…
