A Double-Blind Trial of Psilocybin-Assisted Treatment of Alcohol Dependence
Several lines of evidence suggest that classic hallucinogens such as psilocybin can facilitate behavior change in addictions such as alcohol dependence. The proposed investigation is a multi-site, double-blind active-controlled trial (n = 180, 90 per group) contrasting the acute and persisting effects of psilocybin to those of diphenhydramine in the context of outpatient alcoholism treatment.
• Males and females age 25-65 with SCID (DSM-IV) diagnosis of alcohol dependence who
• Want to stop or decrease their drinking
• Are not participating in any formal treatment for alcohol dependence (12-step meetings are not considered treatment)
• Are able to provide voluntary informed consent
• Have at least 4 heavy drinking days in the past 30 days
• If female of childbearing potential, are willing to use approved form of contraception from screening until after the psilocybin administration sessions
• Have a family member or friend who can pick them up and stay with them overnight after the psilocybin administration sessions
• Are able to provide adequate locator information.