Exploring ayahuasca-assisted therapy for addiction: A qualitative analysis of preliminary findings among an Indigenous community in Canada.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Qualitative interview study of an uncontrolled case series (by design analogy)
PubMed 31489731 · doi:10.1111/dar.12985
What was done
Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted at 6-month follow-up with 11 adult Indigenous participants who attended Working with Addiction and Stress ceremonial ayahuasca retreats between June and September 2011 in Canada. Interview transcripts underwent thematic analysis to explore participants' lived experiences and perceived impacts on addiction and substance use.
What was found
All 11 participants reported reductions in substance use and cravings at 6-month follow-up. Eight participants reported complete cessation of at least one substance. Thematic analysis showed retreats helped participants identify negative thought patterns and barriers differently from conventional therapies, with increased connectedness to self, others, and nature or spirit described as a key element linked to reduced use.
Why it matters
Provides qualitative context on experiential mechanisms, such as enhanced personal and spiritual connectedness, that may explain self-reported substance use reductions following ceremonial psychedelic-assisted retreats in Indigenous settings.
Limits
The study is limited by a very small sample size (n=11), absence of a control group, reliance on retrospective self-report subject to recall and social desirability bias, and a qualitative design that cannot establish causality or comparative treatment efficacy.
Cited by
- supports Treatments with psychedelics such as ibogaine or ayahuasca can rapidly shift a person's relationship with and desire for addictive substances like opiates or alcohol within 72 to 96 hours.