NATURE AND FREQUENCY OF CLAIMS FOLLOWING LSD

Abstract

Claims of therapeutic value of the LSD experience of 74 Ss have been presented, analyzed and discussed. If these claims are valid it would indicate that the LSD experience is psychotherapeutic in itself. Further, it is noted that the early claims of Ss under the circumstances described are comparable to some of the most optimistic claims of other LSD investigators who often utilize it with intensive and prolonged psychotherapy. The vexing problem of criterion of psychiatric improvement, however, is as yet unsolved, and all too often the efficacy of a treatment is judged principally on the unsupported claims of patients. Claims of relief of symptoms and improved social effectiveness are only two of the denominators of therapeutic progress. Therefore we cannot conclude that the reports of our Ss represent improvement. We have noted that claims of improvement are higher for the first six months after the experience than after longer intervals. For one and one-half years after exposure to LSD a very high percentage of alcoholic patients claimed to have decreased their drinking, and about 36% claimed complete abstinence. However, three and one-half years after exposure to LSD there remained only claims of slight improvement, and none of the alcoholic Ss had maintained their sobriety. Perhaps LSD is unique in that it prompts so many claims, not only from Ss and patients, but from investigators themselves.