Perspectives on the therapeutic potential of MDMA: A nation-wide exploratory survey among substance users

BackgroundAlcohol and other substance use disorders are commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the presence of these comorbidities is associated with worse treatment outcomes. Additionally, disparities in substance and PTSD prevalence have been associated with minority r...

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Κύριος συγγραφέας: Jennifer L. Jones
Μορφή: Άρθρο
Γλώσσα:English
Έκδοση: Frontiers Media S.A. 2023-04-01
Σειρά:Frontiers in Psychiatry
Θέματα:
Διαθέσιμο Online:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1096298/full
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author Jennifer L. Jones
author_facet Jennifer L. Jones
author_sort Jennifer L. Jones
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundAlcohol and other substance use disorders are commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the presence of these comorbidities is associated with worse treatment outcomes. Additionally, disparities in substance and PTSD prevalence have been associated with minority races and ethnicities, and minorities have been shown to be less likely to engage in treatment. Psychedelic-assisted treatments, including 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), have shown preliminary trans-diagnostic effectiveness, however it is unknown how individuals with substance use disorders view the therapeutic potential of MDMA therapy. Previous studies have also shown that minority races and ethnicities are under-represented in the MDMA trials, leading to concerns about inequitable access to clinical treatment.MethodsTo explore demographic characteristics related to patient-level perspectives on the therapeutic potential of MDMA-assisted therapy, this study describes data from a nationwide, cross-sectional survey of 918 individuals self-reporting criteria consistent with alcohol or substance use disorders.ResultsOverall, a majority of individuals reported support for medical research of MDMA (68.1%), belief that MDMA-assisted therapy might be a useful treatment (70.1%), and willingness to try MDMA-assisted therapy if it were determined to be an appropriate treatment for them (58.8%). No race or ethnicity differences were found in support for further research or belief in effectiveness, however there were small disparities in terms of willingness to try MDMA-assisted therapy and concerns related to use of this treatment approach.ConclusionThese results provide insights and future directions as the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy seeks to provide equitable access to clinical care and to diversify research participation.
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spelling doaj.art-52ab7b51b0e346e2adccc5554e7d6b642023-04-14T04:27:33ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychiatry1664-06402023-04-011410.3389/fpsyt.2023.10962981096298Perspectives on the therapeutic potential of MDMA: A nation-wide exploratory survey among substance usersJennifer L. JonesBackgroundAlcohol and other substance use disorders are commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the presence of these comorbidities is associated with worse treatment outcomes. Additionally, disparities in substance and PTSD prevalence have been associated with minority races and ethnicities, and minorities have been shown to be less likely to engage in treatment. Psychedelic-assisted treatments, including 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), have shown preliminary trans-diagnostic effectiveness, however it is unknown how individuals with substance use disorders view the therapeutic potential of MDMA therapy. Previous studies have also shown that minority races and ethnicities are under-represented in the MDMA trials, leading to concerns about inequitable access to clinical treatment.MethodsTo explore demographic characteristics related to patient-level perspectives on the therapeutic potential of MDMA-assisted therapy, this study describes data from a nationwide, cross-sectional survey of 918 individuals self-reporting criteria consistent with alcohol or substance use disorders.ResultsOverall, a majority of individuals reported support for medical research of MDMA (68.1%), belief that MDMA-assisted therapy might be a useful treatment (70.1%), and willingness to try MDMA-assisted therapy if it were determined to be an appropriate treatment for them (58.8%). No race or ethnicity differences were found in support for further research or belief in effectiveness, however there were small disparities in terms of willingness to try MDMA-assisted therapy and concerns related to use of this treatment approach.ConclusionThese results provide insights and future directions as the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy seeks to provide equitable access to clinical care and to diversify research participation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1096298/fullMDMAPTSDsubstance and alcohol usetreatmentrace and ethnicity
spellingShingle Jennifer L. Jones
Perspectives on the therapeutic potential of MDMA: A nation-wide exploratory survey among substance users
Frontiers in Psychiatry
MDMA
PTSD
substance and alcohol use
treatment
race and ethnicity
title Perspectives on the therapeutic potential of MDMA: A nation-wide exploratory survey among substance users
title_full Perspectives on the therapeutic potential of MDMA: A nation-wide exploratory survey among substance users
title_fullStr Perspectives on the therapeutic potential of MDMA: A nation-wide exploratory survey among substance users
title_full_unstemmed Perspectives on the therapeutic potential of MDMA: A nation-wide exploratory survey among substance users
title_short Perspectives on the therapeutic potential of MDMA: A nation-wide exploratory survey among substance users
title_sort perspectives on the therapeutic potential of mdma a nation wide exploratory survey among substance users
topic MDMA
PTSD
substance and alcohol use
treatment
race and ethnicity
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1096298/full
work_keys_str_mv AT jenniferljones perspectivesonthetherapeuticpotentialofmdmaanationwideexploratorysurveyamongsubstanceusers