Single Oral Lysergide (LSD 500 µg) in Inpatient Alcoholic Rehabilitation: Controlled Evaluation with Schizophrenic Sub-Analysis (Tomsovic & Edwards 1970)
Controlled evaluation of single oral lysergide (LSD) 500 µg in an inpatient 90-day Alcoholic Rehabilitation Programme (Q J Stud Alcohol 1970 Dec; Tomsovic M, Edwards RV; PMID 5490826). n=75 volunteers received lysergide; among these, 23 were classified as schizophrenic. Volunteers paired with contemporaneous admissions; at day 45, one of each pair assigned to lysergide by coin toss (partially randomised). Control group I: volunteers who did not receive lysergide or received placebo substitute. Control group II: routine programme participants who had completed before the project or did not volunteer. Session: single oral 500 µg lysergide in specially furnished room (colourful drapes, pictures, music); patient-chosen nursing assistant present non-directively for 7 h; administering psychiatrist made intermittent visits; preparatory readings and debrief the next day. Primary outcome: drinking control (Drinking Adjustment Scale) at 3, 6, and 12 months; validation by spouses/informants. Secondary: Blewett & Chwelos Scales (acute/subacute reactions); subjective session classification ("good"/"moderate"/"poor"); rates of recrudescence (vivid post-session recurrences). Schizophrenic vs non-schizophrenic sub-analyses. No registration (pre-registration era, 1970). CT.gov: 0 hits.
Study Arms & Interventions
Lysergide
experimentalSingle oral dose of lysergide (LSD) in a specially furnished room as part of a 90-day rehabilitation program.
Interventions
- LSD500 µgvia oral• single dose• 1 doses total
The study included both nonschizophrenic and schizophrenic subgroups.
Control Group I
placeboVolunteers for the lysergide treatment who did not receive the drug or received a placebo substitute.
Interventions
- Placebovia oral• single dose• 1 doses total
Described as a volunteer control group that may have experienced a deprivation effect.
Control Group II
active comparatorPatients who passed through the regular 90-day Alcoholic Rehabilitation Program but did not volunteer for the lysergide project.
Interventions
- Placebo
Standard 90-day rehabilitation program participants.
Primary Results(1 publication)
Participants
Adverse Events (from all publications)
| Arm / Group | n | Any TEAE | Severe | Serious | Discont. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lysergideexperimental | 75 | — | — | 0(0.0%) | — |
| Control Group Iplacebo | 75 | — | — | — | — |
| Control Group IIactive_comparator | 193 | — | — | — | — |
* The paper states: 'None of our lysergide-treated patients, to the best of our knowledge, suffered any of these serious aftereffects' (referring to prolonged states of panic, confusion, psychosis, paranoia, and suicidal or homicidal behavior).
* No specific safety data reported for this arm.