Peyote in the Treatment of Alcoholism Among American Indians

Classic hallucinogens in the treatment of addictions

“…Early-stage clinical trials of psilocybin for nicotine dependence (Johnson et al, 2014) and alcohol dependence (Bogenschutz et al, 2015) have recently been completed, and further trials are currently under way. Observational studies have suggested that sacramental use of plant materials containing classic hallucinogens (peyote, containing mescaline, or ayahuasca, containing DMT) suggests that these practices are associated with decreased disordered use of substances and few if any detrimental effects (Albaugh and Anderson, 1974b;Barbosa et al, 2012;Doering-Silveira et al, 2005;Fabregas et al, 2010;Garrity, 2000;Halpern et al, 2005;Halpern et al, 2008;Kunitz and Levy, 1994;Lu et al, 2009;Roy, 1973). Ayahuasca and ibogaine are being used to treat addictions in many retreat centers and treatment programs in Latin America and the Caribbean, but efficacy studies have not been done.…”

“…Today peyote is used sacramentally by groups including the Native American Church (NAC) (Stewart, 1987) and the Huichol of northern Mexico (Meyerhoff, 1974). It has often been stated that taking peyote in the context of NAC ceremonies helps alcoholics achieve and maintain sobriety (Albaugh and Anderson, 1974b;Garrity, 2000;Kunitz and Levy, 1994;Lu et al, 2009). Proposed psychological mechanism includes emotional catharsis (Albaugh and Anderson, 1974a) and improved self-understanding and motivation for sobriety (Garrity, 2000).…”

Traditional Medicine in the Treatment of Drug Addiction

“…Finally, pretreatment with I -THP inhibits several of these neuronal changes associated with addictive drugs making it an excellent candidate medication for "re-normalization" of brain function that can be disrupted by chronic drug dependence (20). About thirty years ago, the Peyote treatment was incorporated into its alcoholic services program by the United States Public Health Hospital in Clinton, Oklahoma (116). This ritualistic use of Peyote to a properly structured psychotherapeutic session has been demonstrated to be an effective technique for treating alcoholics (117)(118)(119).…”

Hallucinogens: An update

“…The use of any drugs of abuse, including alcohol, is expressly forbidden in the NAC. Psychiatrists and anthropologists have also reported that NAC members attribute this "Peyote Way" with saving them from the ravages of alcoholism and drug abuse [45,46]. Many members are also quite successful; the current elected President and Vice President of the Navajo Nation, for example, are life-long adherents to the NAC.…”