Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for AUD: Emerging Evidence, Clinical and Cost Implications, and Treatment Gaps

Authors

• Zoe Evans, Marshall University
• Todd H. Davies, Marshall UniversityFollow
• Alberto Coustasse, Marshall UniversityFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-23-2026

Abstract

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) imposes a significant mortality and health care cost burden in the United States, resulting in an estimated 178,307 deaths annually during 2020-2021, representing an approximate 29.3% increase from 2016-2017. AUD is also associated with substantial health care expenditures and productivity losses nationwide, with alcohol-associated liver disease alone representing approximately $31 billion in US health care costs in 2022. Existing pharmacotherapies, including naltrexone, acamprosate, disulfiram, and gabapentinoids, have reduced alcohol consumption for some patients but have not consistently achieved sustained abstinence across more extensive populations. This persistent treatment gap has prompted renewed investigation into psilocybin-assisted therapy, particularly for those who have not responded to standard pharmacologic and psychosocial interventions.

Comments

Copyright 2026 Pharmacy Times. Reprinted with permission.

Recommended Citation

Evans, Z., Davies, T., Coustasse, A. (2026). Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for AUD: Emerging Evidence, Clinical and Cost Implications, and Treatment Gaps. Pharmacy Times: Pharmacy Practice in Focus: Health Systems, 15.5.