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Survey of Massachusetts peer recovery coaches’ attitudes toward the use of psychedelics to treat substance use disorders

Summary

Researchers surveyed peer recovery coaches in Massachusetts about their views on using psychedelics like psilocybin and ketamine to treat addiction. Most coaches felt comfortable supporting this approach and believed they should receive training, but many worried about potential risks and felt that traditional 12-step programs wouldn’t approve. Coaches with personal experience using psychedelics were more supportive than those who hadn’t tried them.

Background

There has been a growing resurgence of research on therapeutic applications of psychedelics for substance use disorders, with meta-analyses showing promising results for LSD, psilocybin, and ketamine. Peer recovery coaches are increasingly important professionals in addiction treatment settings, but their attitudes toward psychedelic-assisted therapy have not been previously investigated.

Objective

To conduct a survey of peer recovery coaches in Massachusetts to assess their attitudes, beliefs, and concerns regarding the use of psychedelics to treat substance use disorders and identify factors influencing their perspectives.

Results

Of 1,085 invited individuals, 146 completed the survey (13.5% response rate). Most respondents (67.8%) reported feeling knowledgeable and comfortable coaching someone using psychedelics for SUD, and 84.3% agreed coaches should receive training. However, 57.5% expressed concerns about dangers, and those using 12-step programs were significantly more likely to have concerns (68.7% vs 36.2%). Those with personal psychedelic experience were more supportive (48.5% vs 23.5%).

Conclusion

While peer recovery coaches express overall support for psychedelic-assisted treatment and recognize the need for coaching training, they harbor significant concerns about potential harms. Their perspectives, influenced by personal experience and 12-step affiliation, have important implications for implementing psychedelic treatments in recovery settings.
  • Published in:Addiction Science & Clinical Practice,
  • Study Type:Survey,
  • Source: PMID: 39587692, DOI: 10.1186/s13722-024-00517-y
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