Hallucinogen Use in Methamphetamine Addiction: Correlates and Treatment Outcomes

Abstract

Whilst the literature supports that drug addicts who engage in polysubstance use are more likely to experience poorer treatment outcomes and psychological distress, there is also some evidence that hallucinogens can treat addiction and psychological distress (Tupper et al., 2015). The aim of this research was to investigate whether individuals who are addicted to methamphetamine and consume hallucinogens achieve poorer treatment outcomes than individuals who are addicted to methamphetamine and abstain from hallucinogens. It was hypothesised that the individuals who engaged in hallucinogen use would experience greater levels of physical, psychological and social harm than those who abstained from hallucinogens. The sample included 1159 methamphetamine-addicted outpatients from Psychmed’s Matrix program and the data was obtained through Psychmed’s electronic database. Outpatients were coded into a “non-hallucinogen” group and a “hallucinogen” group. A repeated measures ANOVA compared outpatients’ wellbeing and addiction scores obtained prior to treatment and post treatment. Although both the non-hallucinogen group and the hallucinogen group experienced an improvement in scores post treatment, the hallucinogen group consistently had greater levels of harm at baseline and upon completion of the program. This suggests that hallucinogen use is correlated with poorer treatment outcomes. As a result, outpatient rehabilitation programs need to encourage abstinence from all substances during treatment. This research will give outpatient drug rehabilitation programs the evidence to shift their focus onto addressing secondary substance use and how it interacts with primary addiction.