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Article Dans Une Revue Alcohol and Alcoholism Année : 2024

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

Résumé

Abstract Introduction Alcohol use can be significantly associated with negative social, professional, and health outcomes. Even more so, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a critical public health issue and major avoidable risk factor. This study aimed to examine the effect of a naturalistic psychedelic experience on alcohol use and related measures. Methods 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.
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Dates et versions

hal-04420285 , version 1 (26-01-2024)

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Ewen Kervadec, Baptiste Fauvel, Lana Strika-Bruneau, Ammar Amirouche, Vincent Verroust, et al.. Reduction of alcohol use and increase in psychological flexibility after a naturalistic psychedelic experience: a retrospective survey. Alcohol and Alcoholism, 2024, 59 (2), ⟨10.1093/alcalc/agad078⟩. ⟨hal-04420285⟩
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