The highs and lows of drug tourism: a travel medicine perspective

Flaherty, Gerard; Maxemous, Karl K; Nossier, Ramez E; Bui, Yen‐Giang

doi:10.1093/jtm/tax068

Cited by 15 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Many members of the public seek to use psychedelics for therapeutic purposes but are unsure of how to do so in a way that is physically, psychologically, and legally safe. In most countries, both classic and non-classic psychedelics remain controlled substances, though there are some exceptions, such as psilocybin's legal status in Jamaica and the Netherlands [ 5 ]. Some legal use occurs in the context of research trials, ketamine clinics, and religious groups using peyote and ayahuasca (a plant-based beverage containing DMT and other psychoactive substances).…”

Section: Background Information On Psychedelic Therapy Harm Reductiomentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Clients who have financial resources may ask a clinician's opinion about traveling to other countries where psychedelic retreats are legal. Indeed, psychedelic tourism is expanding rapidly in countries throughout the world [ 5 ]. While this option may circumvent legal restrictions, traveling to international retreat centers carries unique risks.…”

Section: Steps To Mitigate Riskmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy

et al. 2021

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Psychedelic-assisted therapy may represent an upcoming paradigm shift in the treatment of mental health problems as recent clinical trials have demonstrated strong evidence of their therapeutic benefits. While psychedelics are currently prohibited substances in most countries, the growing popularity of their therapeutic potential is leading many people to use psychedelics on their own rather than waiting for legal medical access. Therapists therefore have an ethical duty to meet this need by providing support for clients using psychedelics. However, incorporating psychedelics into traditional psychotherapy poses some risk given their prohibited status and many therapists are unsure of how they might practice in this area. This paper explicates such risks and describes ways in which therapists can mitigate them and strive to practice within legal and ethical boundaries. A harm reduction approach will be emphasized as a useful framework for conducting therapy around clients' use of psychedelics. It is argued that therapists can meet with clients before and after their own personal psychedelic experiences in order to help clients minimize risk and maximize benefit. Common clinical scenarios in this growing clinical area will also be discussed.

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Section: Background Information On Psychedelic Therapy Harm Reductiomentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Steps To Mitigate Riskmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy

et al. 2021

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“…4 Misuse of alcohol and/or psychoactive substances among international travellers may be associated with an exacerbation of existing mental illness and could precipitate an acute psychotic episode. 1,5 Physicians should consequently be mindful about their patients travelling abroad for the purpose of seeking therapeutic or recreational drugs. Drug tourism, whereby tourists cross international borders for the purpose of obtaining or using psychoactive substances, is associated with significant adverse health effects, including drug-induced psychosis, unintentional physical injury, risky sexual behaviour and criminal acts.…”

Section: Mental Health Challenges Of International Travelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Drug tourism, whereby tourists cross international borders for the purpose of obtaining or using psychoactive substances, is associated with significant adverse health effects, including drug-induced psychosis, unintentional physical injury, risky sexual behaviour and criminal acts. 5 In addition to drugs of misuse, medications used in travel medicine (such as mefloquine for malaria chemoprophylaxis) can potentially trigger acute psychotic episodes in people with a previous or undiagnosed mental illness. 1,5 Anxiety symptoms are common in individuals engaging in travel.…”

Section: Mental Health Challenges Of International Travelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…5 In addition to drugs of misuse, medications used in travel medicine (such as mefloquine for malaria chemoprophylaxis) can potentially trigger acute psychotic episodes in people with a previous or undiagnosed mental illness. 1,5 Anxiety symptoms are common in individuals engaging in travel. The sense of uncontrollability and inherent unpredictability presented by travel may cause travellers to develop anxiety symptoms or worsen an existing anxiety disorder.…”

Section: Mental Health Challenges Of International Travelmentioning

confidence: 99%

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To travel is to live: embracing the emerging field of travel psychiatry

2020

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Summary For a person with mental illness, travelling abroad can be challenging but it can be easier when the traveller and healthcare practitioner have a clear understanding of the likely impact of travel on the illness and of the illness on the travel experience. Travel may also precipitate first presentations of mental illness or unmask previously undiagnosed mental disorders. We propose that mental health problems should receive greater recognition in travel medicine and that psychiatrists should collaborate more closely with travel medicine clinicians to ensure that their patients benefit from the opportunities afforded by international travel.

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