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Reduction of alcohol use and increase in psychological flexibility after a naturalistic psychedelic experience: a retrospective survey.

Ewen KervadecBaptiste FauvelLana Strika-BruneauAmmar AmiroucheVincent VerroustPascale PiolinoBruno RoméoAmine Benyamina
Published in: Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire) (2023)
A retrospective online survey was conducted on 160 individuals who reported a psychedelic experience and a concomitant drinking habit but did not necessarily have an AUD. Demographic data, characteristics of the psychedelic experience, and changes in alcohol consumption and psychological flexibility were surveyed. Results: The mean number of drinking days per week and AUDIT scores significantly decreased after the psychedelic experience (P < .001). Subjects who quit or reduced drinking had a more severe AUD (P < .01) and lower psychological flexibility (P = .003) before the psychedelic session. Alcohol use reduction was significantly associated with the intensity of the mystical experience (P = .03). Psychological flexibility increased more in participants who reduced their alcohol use (P < .001), and the change in psychological flexibility was one of the predictors of alcohol use improvement (P = .003). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that a naturalistic psychedelic experience could be associated with a reduction in alcohol use and dependency. Such positive health outcomes can be associated with the intensity of the mystical experience as well as an increase in psychological flexibility.
Keyphrases
  • alcohol consumption
  • sleep quality
  • randomized controlled trial
  • electronic health record
  • health information
  • deep learning
  • big data
  • drug induced