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At the Forefront

Social Workers’ Role in Psilocybin Treatment for Depression and Substance Misuse

Bibliographic Data

ID10554102
AuthorsClaire Parker (0000-0002-7364-7046, School of Social Work, University of Texas at Arlington Claire Parker is a social work student, , 501 West Mitchell Street, Arlington, TX 76010, USA, corresponding author), Bethany M Wood (0000-0003-1367-0508, The University of Texas at Arlington)
Year2024
Volume69
Issue3
Pages297-302
Publication date2024-05-02
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Work (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0037-8046 • E-ISSN: 1545-6846
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1093/sw/swae019
PMID38697188
OpenAlexW4396599639
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited31

This article underscores the critical role of social workers in harnessing the potential therapeutic benefits of psilocybin for treating major depressive disorder (MDD) and substance use disorder (SUD). Contemporary treatments for MDD often have side effects, and the success rate for SUD treatments remains low. The pervasiveness of MDD, combined with the challenges in treating SUD, highlights a need for innovative treatments. This article provides an overview of the resurgence of literature over the past two decades that illuminates the therapeutic promise of psilocybin for mental health treatment; clinical trials elucidate the efficacy of psilocybin-assisted therapy in mitigating MDD and demonstrate great promise in reducing SUD symptoms. The long-lasting posttreatment effect emphasizes its potential as a novel treatment modality. Furthermore, psilocybin's recognition as a "breakthrough therapy" by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the accelerating pace of psychedelic reform bills indicate growing acceptance and interest in its therapeutic capacities. Psilocybin-assisted therapy emerges as a potent treatment option, showcasing remarkable effectiveness even after a single dose. Recommendations and pathways for social workers to be involved in psilocybin-assisted therapy investigation, advocacy, and implementation are provided

Cognition · Hallucinogen · Major depressive disorder · Psilocybin · Psychiatry · Psychotherapist · Substance abuse · Chemical synthesis and alkaloids · Medicine · Neurotransmitter Receptor Influence on Behavior · Psychedelics and Drug Studies · Psychology

  • Social Workers’ Attitudes and Beliefs about MDMA-Assisted Therapy for Adolescents with PTSD

    Open Access•Maha N Mian, Jordan Horan et al.•Social Work•2025

  • Pilot study of the 5-HT 2A R agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction

    Open Access•Matthew W Johnson, Albert Garcia-Romeu et al.•Journal of Psychopharmacology•2014

  • Percentage of Heavy Drinking Days Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy vs Placebo in the Treatment of Adult Patients With Alcohol Use Disorder

    Michael P Bogenschutz, Stephen Ross et al.•JAMA Psychiatry•2022

  • Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression

    Open Access•Robin Carhart‐Harris, R L Carhart-Harris et al.•Psychopharmacology•2018

  • Inclusion of people of color in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy

    Open Access•Timothy I Michaels, Jennifer Purdon et al.•BMC Psychiatry•2018

  • The Economic Burden of Adults With Major Depressive Disorder in the United States (2005 and 2010)

    Paul E Greenberg, Andrée-Anne Fournier et al.•The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry•2015

  • Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder

    Open Access•A K Davis, Frederick S Barrett et al.•JAMA Psychiatry•2021

  • Drug Dependence, a Chronic Medical Illness

    A Thomas McLellan, David C Lewis et al.•JAMA•2000

  • Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation

    Matthew W Johnson, Albert Garcia-Romeu et al.•The American Journal of Drug and…•2017

  • Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence

    Open Access•Michael P Bogenschutz, Alyssa A Forcehimes et al.•Journal of Psychopharmacology•2015

Unique citing works1
Citations per year1
Citation span2025 - 2025 (1)
Citation velocityrecent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 1
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