Exploring the perceived usefulness of integration support after naturalistic psychedelic experiences in people concerned about their substance use: A survey

Abstract

Background and aims: Improved outcomes for substance use disorders have been described following non-clinical (“naturalistic”) psychedelic use. This exploratory study aimed to describe the naturalistic psychedelic experiences of people with substance use concerns and their reported needs and perceived utility of psychosocial support following naturalistic psychedelic use to integrate experiences and achieve positive change. We also explored preferred formats of delivery of integration support to inform future co-design processes necessary for developing new services. Method: English-speaking participants aged ≥18 years, who were concerned about their substance use and had consumed a classical psychedelic (i.e. psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) or Ayahuasca, mescaline) at least once in the past year, were recruited online for a 10–20-minute survey. Questions explored experiences of psychedelic use and perceptions of the need for and models of integration support. Data were analysed descriptively. Results: Of 108 participants, 94 (87.0%) thought that integration support following naturalistic psychedelic experiences would have been useful, with the majority of those interested (n = 61, 64.9%) endorsing a model of individual support, led by a psychologist (n = 63, 67.0%) or peer worker (n = 55, 58.5%) with lived experience of psychedelic use, and primarily focusing on how to apply the insights gained during the psychedelic experience into life (n = 68, 63.0%). Discussion: In our sample of participants with substance use concerns, potential benefits of psychosocial support following naturalistic psychedelic experiences were identified. These findings could be complemented with a qualitative exploration of the desire for integration support following naturalistic psychedelic experiences.