Citation

Argento E, Tupper KW, Socias ME. Int. J. Drug Policy 2019; 66: 80-81.

Affiliation

British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 400-1045 Howe St, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada; Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2255 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 2A1, Canada. Electronic address: bccsu-es@bccsu.ubc.ca.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.11.006

PMID

30743091

Abstract

The increasing contamination of the drug supply with illicitly manufactured fentanyl and related analogs in North America has resulted in the most severe drug-overdose crisis in history. Available pharmacotherapy options for the treatment of opioid use disorder have had limited success in curbing the current crisis, and a growing body of evidence highlights the need for innovative interventions that target underlying social-structural drivers of opioid use disorder. Re-emerging clinical research suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapy has potential as an alternative treatment for refractory substance use disorders and related comorbidities. Based on the available evidence, our viewpoint supports advancing research on the potential role of psychedelic-assisted therapy within a multifaceted response to the opioid crisis.

Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

Addiction treatment; Opioid crisis; Opioid use disorder; Psychedelic-assisted therapy; Psychedelics