Psychedelics and sobriety: Do they mix?

If you’re new to the brilliantly colored, swirling landscape of psychedelic medicine, it may be news to you that psychedelic medicine, everything from psilocybin (“magic mushrooms”) to ketamine, LSD to MDMA (ecstasy) are being used responsibly in clinical settings for a variety of mental health conditions, such as treatment-resistant depression and anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, grief, even addiction​.

But what if you’re sober?

Chances are, your sponsor is not going to say, “Sure, go chew on a bunch of mushrooms and walk around and see what you get.”

It might take some education to help other sober people around you understand why you’re curious about or delving into psychedelic medicine. Be sure you do your homework and become as well-versed as possible, starting with Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence

You might be surprised to learn, for example, that LSD was considered so effective for addiction back in the early 60s that AA Founder Bill W. wanted to introduce it to AA.

There is so much psychedelics had already taught, and thankfully, the current resurgence is picking up where it once left off.

What do I know about psychedelics and sobriety?

I’ve been sober for more than 30 years. I got sober at a midnight meeting in Times Square back in 1990 and went on to participate in AA meetings in Ocean City, Maryland; San Francisco, California; even Himeji, Japan; Bangkok, Thailand; and Kathmandu in Nepal. I am one of the fortunate ones for whom the desire was lifted early on. Yet I do not presume to be free of alcoholism or forever safe from relapse. Even though I am no longer active in AA, I participate in personal development coaching and programs and have a passion for things sacred and spiritual. I have a good life and I don’t take my sobriety for granted. There’s the life I would have lived if I had drank those 30 years⏤and there’s the one I get to live as a result of staying sober.

All that being said, I’ve always been comfortable with certain types of drugs which, as it turns out, fall into the psychedelic category. Mushrooms and ecstasy, mainly. I knew that what I experienced was something good and wonderful–not some desperately needed crutch turned to or some high that I had to reach⏤but rather an experience that altered my experience of life. And that, if you ask me, is always a good thing.

But what if you’re sober?

Chances are, your sponsor is not going to say, “Sure, go chew on a bunch of mushrooms and walk around and see what you get.”

It might take some education to help other sober people around you understand why you’re curious about or delving into psychedelic medicine. Be sure you do your homework and become as well-versed as possible, starting with Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind: What the New Science of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, and Transcendence

You might be surprised to learn, for example, that LSD was considered so effective for addiction back in the early 60s that AA Founder Bill W. wanted to introduce it to AA.

There is so much psychedelics had already taught, and thankfully, the current resurgence is picking up where it once left off.

Why you shouldn't listen to a word I say

First of all, everything I write here is simply my own journey and experience which may or may not be useful to others like me. I turned to psychedelic medicine because I have applied every methodology I know to my existential depression:

  • Personal development work
  • Courses
  • Coaching
  • Grief work
  • Spiritual work/medium
  • Daily meditation
  • Talk therapy / CBT
  • Sharing with friends
  • Going for walks in nature
  • Praying

I feel I got to where I was as good as I could possibly get. And yet…

There was still something within me that held me back from full embrace of life. Lack of loving life. Not the same as enjoying life. I often enjoy my life. But I do not love living my life. Does that make sense?

But please come to your own conclusions about psychedelic medicine based on research and inquiry. I will share a handful of podcasts, articles and resources that have helped me get my own questions answered and may help you, too.

Keep in mind: You may be met with resistance by other sober people or by your sponsor. I wouldn’t go announcing my psychedelic exploration in an AA meeting. But keep educating yourself and finding other sober people⏤and sober psychonauts like me⏤as well as sober psychotherapists who practice psychedelic medicine, who can responsibly guide you and help you on your journey to mental, physical and spiritual wellness.