{"id":40903,"date":"2026-01-27T06:00:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T11:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/?p=40903"},"modified":"2026-01-26T10:44:05","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T15:44:05","slug":"can-psilocybin-therapy-help-combat-alcoholism-addiction","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/can-psilocybin-therapy-help-combat-alcoholism-addiction\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Psilocybin Therapy Help Combat Alcoholism & Addiction?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The current psychedelic revolution isn\u2019t full of flower power, trippy lightshows, and peace signs\u2014it is instead a revolution of the brain\u2019s functionality while seeking inner peace from any number of afflictions and addictions. The <\/span>legacy of the counterculture<\/span><\/a> still has impacts to this day, but psychedelic substances that <\/span>potentially improve neural plasticity<\/span><\/a>\u2014such as psilocybin\u2014continue to have the biggest repercussions from that era.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alcohol and substance abuse continue to <\/span>destroy lives and families<\/span><\/a>; however, clinical studies and peer-reviewed research have shed light on the potential efficacy of psilocybin to improve the quality of life for people suffering from these afflictions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Studies Have Shown Psilocybin As An Effective Treatment for Alcoholism<\/b><\/h2>\n

According to researchers, treatments for alcohol addiction are among the lowest <\/span>of all mental health disorders<\/span><\/a>. Just 9% receive treatment, and there are only 3 established medication options. The odds and numbers are even worse if combined with another disorder.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the last several years have yielded some eye-raising results regarding the efficacy of <\/span>psychedelics, including psilocybin<\/span><\/a>, to help control alcohol use disorder (AUD). Many of these studies continue into other phases in the hope of yielding even more positive correlations leading to effective change in combating AUD.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Landmark Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Study\u00a0<\/b><\/h3>\n

One peer-reviewed clinical trial that continues yielding results influencing other studies and phases is the double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled <\/span>study published by <\/span>JAMA Psychiatry<\/span><\/i><\/a> in 2022. The trial\u2019s goal was to examine whether 2 high doses (25\u201340 mg) of psilocybin combined with psychotherapy reduced the number of \u201cheavy drinking days\u201d by participants with AUD. The study defines heavy drinking as \u201c5 or more drinks in a day for a man and 4 or more drinks in a day for a woman.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Participants included adults ranging from 25 to 65 years old with a prior diagnosis of alcohol dependency, along with 4 heavy drinking days over the course of the previous 30 days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Man<\/p>\n

Psychotherapy supplementation with a cognitive behavioral therapy and motivational enhancement focus occurred at 12 weeks. Researchers randomly gave <\/span>half the patients doses of psilocybin<\/span><\/a>; the others received a placebo (diphenhydramine) during 2-day-long medication sessions at weeks 4 and 8. Researchers analyzed the study results during the 32-week double-blind period after the first administered dose.<\/span><\/p>\n

Post-interview results of the study demonstrated that during the 32-week double-blind period, the group that received psilocybin only had heavy drinking days 9.7% of the time. The placebo group experienced heavy drinking days at a rate of 23.6% during the same period.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The amount of daily alcoholic drinks was also lower among the participants who received psilocybin. The study administrators also noted that none of the participants who received psilocybin <\/span>reported serious adverse effects<\/span><\/a>, further reducing stigma associated with any potential harm. Mild and temporary adverse effects, however, such as headaches (43.8%), anxiety, and nausea, were more common in the psilocybin group but resolved either with anxiety medication (10 mg diazepam for 2 patients) or self-limited without further issues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Results demonstrated the positive correlation between psilocybin ingestion combined with psychotherapy to help combat heavy drinking and AUD. The trial\u2019s methodologies continue to be very influential in driving further studies, trials, and phases seeking elaboration on these important findings.<\/span><\/p>\n

Further Analysis of the 2022 Heavy Drinking Days Study<\/b><\/h3>\n

Researchers extrapolated data from 13 volunteers who received doses of psilocybin, showing <\/span>even more insights<\/span><\/a> about the use of psilocybin to combat alcohol-related dependency. A common lifestyle theme that popped up was that many of the interviewees developed dangerous coping mechanisms early and later in life to tamp down unwanted feelings\u2014leading to alcohol as a crutch.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Data from 13 of the study volunteers who were given doses of psilocybin were extrapolated for a more detailed understanding of participants\u2019 own subjective experiences. Findings highlighted increased self-compassion, self-awareness, connectedness, and a sense of belonging. These self-improvements demonstrate the potential for psilocybin assisted therapy in mitigating stress and emotional volatility\u2014an important foundation to prevent relapse during cravings and stressful situations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Proposed Study to Further Evaluate Efficacy of Psilocybin Assisted Therapy for AUD<\/b><\/h3>\n

A proposed double-blind, randomized, <\/span>placebo-controlled trial<\/span><\/a> currently in the Phase II recruiting stage seeks to build from the success and methodologies of the groundbreaking 2022 <\/span>JAMA<\/span><\/i> study. This study will feature placebo and psilocybin dose groups split among 62 in-patient rehabilitation participants (aged 21\u201364) with severe AUD. Researchers will introduce elements of commitment and acceptance therapy during the 4-week inpatient rehab stay, as well as integration sessions to help patients properly process their psychedelic experiences into valuable insights for personal growth.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Researchers will use an established baseline percentage before inpatient entry to examine changes in heavy drinking days. They will also analyze other criteria, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n