The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
February 1, 1970
William T. Bowen, Robert A. Soskin, John W. Chotlos
68 citations
The use of LSD in treating alcoholism shows negligible long-term benefits. Patients who received LSD as part of a Human Relations Training Laboratory program were compared with those who received a placebo or no LSD. Successful post-treatment adjustment was more closely associated with pretreatment employment level, marital status, and completion of the treatment program than with LSD administration.
Journal of Psychedelic Drugs
January 1, 1974
Ibrahim Turek, Robert A. Soskin, A. A. Kurland
59 citations
Methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) produces a subjective experience distinct from both LSD and amphetamine, characterized by enhanced emotional communication, empathy, and a sense of closeness to others, without the perceptual distortions typical of LSD or the drive of amphetamine. The effects are described as warm, loving, and facilitative of interpersonal contact, with users reporting a clear sensorium and minimal anxiety. The article notes that MDA's effects are dose-dependent and that it can be used therapeutically to enhance psychotherapy by promoting emotional openness.
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
October 1, 1976
Richard Yensen, Francesco B. Di Leo, John Rhead et al.
51 citations
Ten neurotic outpatients (five men, five women) received up to 75 hours of psychotherapy over 2 to 6 months, with 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA) administered as an adjunct in two to four sessions. The drug was well tolerated with no serious side effects. Pre- and post-treatment psychometric assessments, including the MMPI, Wittenborn Psychiatric Rating Scales, and Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, showed significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive traits, along with improvements in well-being and self-actualization. No patient worsened. A 6-month follow-up using the same measures plus a Social History Questionnaire supported these improvements.
Journal of Psychedelic Drugs
October 1, 1977
John Rhead, Robert A. Soskin, Ibrahim Turek et al.
25 citations
In a controlled trial, dipropyltryptamine (DPT)-assisted psychotherapy was compared to conventional group therapy for alcoholics. The DPT group received a single high-dose session plus preparatory and follow-up psychotherapy, while the control group received standard group therapy. At 6-month follow-up, the DPT group showed significantly greater improvement on measures of alcohol abstinence and psychosocial adjustment. The authors suggest that a single DPT session combined with psychotherapy may enhance treatment outcomes for alcoholism, though the small sample size limits generalizability.
The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
December 1, 1973
Robert A. Soskin
15 citations
Patients receiving LSD as an adjunct to psychotherapy showed no greater improvement than those receiving a placebo. In a randomized trial, 28 inpatients were assigned to two psychotherapy groups, one receiving five LSD sessions and the other five placebo sessions over 13 weeks. Both groups improved modestly, with no differential effects on self-report or clinical ratings. At an 18-month follow-up of 20 patients, the placebo group scored higher on emotional stability, conscientiousness, and social precision. Gains in adjustment were maintained regardless of treatment type. The findings and clinical impressions indicate that LSD is of minimal value for marginally motivated and psychologically unsophisticated individuals.