Alcohol and opiate abuse among both Indian and non-Indian individuals became asymptomatic under Native American guidance and through participation in the peyote ritual. Biochemical alkaloids in the peyote cactus, not just mescaline, are pharmacologically similar to neuroamine-derived alkaloids found in the brain during alcohol intoxication. Evidence suggests possible common features of alcohol and opiate dependence, leading to speculation that a common mode of treatment may reside in plants rich in isoquinoline alkaloids.
The peyote ritual of the Native American Church may offer therapeutic benefits for alcoholics, based on observations of participants. The ritual's structured setting, group support, and the psychedelic experience itself appear to contribute to reduced drinking and improved social functioning among some attendees. The authors suggest that the combination of spiritual context and pharmacological effects of peyote can facilitate introspection and behavioral change, though they note that outcomes vary and the ritual is not a universal cure. The observations indicate potential for integrating elements of such ethnopsychedelic practices into alcoholism treatment, but controlled studies are lacking.