Jordan J Negrine, Cheneal Puljević, Jason Ferris, Paul Liknaitzky, Christopher Perlman, Timothy Piatkowski
{"title":"Australian psychologists' attitudes towards psychedelic-assisted therapy and training following a world-first drug down-scheduling.","authors":"Jordan J Negrine, Cheneal Puljević, Jason Ferris, Paul Liknaitzky, Christopher Perlman, Timothy Piatkowski","doi":"10.1111/dar.13973","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study explores the attitudes of psychologists towards psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) following the world-first regulatory changes in 2023 in Australia which permitted psilocybin and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) to be used in clinical services.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A purposive sample of 20 Australian psychologists was recruited using snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted which explored participants' attitudes, knowledge and concerns about PAT. Data were coded and analysed to identify and develop theme categories.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Most psychologists exhibited positive attitudes towards psychedelics and their therapeutic potential, viewing them as promising for addressing chronic mental health conditions like depression. However, there was a notable concern regarding the limited evidence on efficacy and potential adverse experiences, as well as the complexity of the individualised treatment protocol. Despite enthusiasm, many psychologists had limited detailed knowledge about the interventions themselves. The need for comprehensive education and training programs, including exposure to psychedelic experiences and credible higher education institutions, was emphasised to ensure competence in administering PAT.</p><p><strong>Discussion and conclusions: </strong>Psychologists displayed notably positive attitudes towards PAT, likely reflecting both shifting perceptions of psychedelics and self-selection bias within the sample. Despite this optimism, concerns were raised about psychiatric risks and the necessity for comprehensive and reputable training and supervision. The cohort showed openness to both novel treatments and innovative training methods, underscoring the importance of enhancing educational frameworks to ensure effective implementation of PAT.</p>","PeriodicalId":11318,"journal":{"name":"Drug and alcohol review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.0000,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Drug and alcohol review","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1111/dar.13973","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"SUBSTANCE ABUSE","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Introduction: This study explores the attitudes of psychologists towards psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) following the world-first regulatory changes in 2023 in Australia which permitted psilocybin and 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) to be used in clinical services.
Methods: A purposive sample of 20 Australian psychologists was recruited using snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews were conducted which explored participants' attitudes, knowledge and concerns about PAT. Data were coded and analysed to identify and develop theme categories.
Results: Most psychologists exhibited positive attitudes towards psychedelics and their therapeutic potential, viewing them as promising for addressing chronic mental health conditions like depression. However, there was a notable concern regarding the limited evidence on efficacy and potential adverse experiences, as well as the complexity of the individualised treatment protocol. Despite enthusiasm, many psychologists had limited detailed knowledge about the interventions themselves. The need for comprehensive education and training programs, including exposure to psychedelic experiences and credible higher education institutions, was emphasised to ensure competence in administering PAT.
Discussion and conclusions: Psychologists displayed notably positive attitudes towards PAT, likely reflecting both shifting perceptions of psychedelics and self-selection bias within the sample. Despite this optimism, concerns were raised about psychiatric risks and the necessity for comprehensive and reputable training and supervision. The cohort showed openness to both novel treatments and innovative training methods, underscoring the importance of enhancing educational frameworks to ensure effective implementation of PAT.
导言:澳大利亚于2023年在世界上首次修改了相关法规,允许在临床服务中使用迷幻剂和3,4-亚甲二氧基甲基苯丙胺(MDMA),本研究探讨了心理学家对迷幻剂和迷幻辅助疗法(PAT)的态度:采用滚雪球抽样法,有目的性地招募了 20 名澳大利亚心理学家。对参与者进行了半结构式访谈,以了解他们对 PAT 的态度、知识和担忧。对数据进行编码和分析,以确定和发展主题类别:大多数心理学家对迷幻剂及其治疗潜力持积极态度,认为迷幻剂有望治疗抑郁症等慢性精神疾病。然而,他们也对疗效证据有限、潜在的不良反应以及个性化治疗方案的复杂性表示担忧。尽管热情高涨,但许多心理学家对干预措施本身的详细了解有限。他们强调需要全面的教育和培训计划,包括接触迷幻体验和可信的高等教育机构,以确保有能力实施 PAT:心理学家对 PAT 的态度明显积极,这可能反映了对迷幻药看法的转变和样本中的自我选择偏差。尽管如此,他们还是对精神疾病的风险以及进行全面、有信誉的培训和监督的必要性表示担忧。样本对新疗法和创新培训方法都持开放态度,这强调了加强教育框架以确保有效实施 PAT 的重要性。
期刊介绍:
Drug and Alcohol Review is an international meeting ground for the views, expertise and experience of all those involved in studying alcohol, tobacco and drug problems. Contributors to the Journal examine and report on alcohol and drug use from a wide range of clinical, biomedical, epidemiological, psychological and sociological perspectives. Drug and Alcohol Review particularly encourages the submission of papers which have a harm reduction perspective. However, all philosophies will find a place in the Journal: the principal criterion for publication of papers is their quality.