Lead: Psilocybin use, mental health treatment utilization, and unmet treatment need among US individuals with depressionLead: Psilocybin use, mental health treatment utilization, and unmet treatment need among US individuals with depression
This Week in Addiction Medicine from ASAM
A concise research briefing from ASAM reviews new studies on psilocybin in depression, opioid and alcohol use treatments, couple-based alcohol therapy, and cannabis-related sleep outcomes. The episode highlights how emerging data may influence clinical decisions across addiction medicine.
7:26•13 Oct 2026
Fresh Evidence in Addiction Care: Psilocybin, MOUD, AUD Meds and More
Episode Overview
- Among people with a past-year major depressive episode, psilocybin use was linked to higher perceived unmet mental health treatment needs but not to greater treatment utilisation.
- A post-operative opioid prediction calculator showed moderate performance, suggesting potential use for more precise prescribing in gynaecologic surgery.
- Women with alcohol use disorder showed elevated caudate iron, highlighting sex-specific brain changes that warrant further research.
- Longer duration of medication for opioid use disorder during and after pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of postpartum overdose and death.
- Cumulative cannabis use over decades was associated with poorer objective sleep quality in middle-aged adults.
“Researchers found that psilocybin use was not associated with any difference in mental health treatment use, including inpatient, outpatient, and prescription medication.”
How do people cope with the challenges of staying sober? This news-packed briefing from the American Society of Addiction Medicine lines up fresh research for clinicians and anyone curious about evidence-based care. Hosted by Zach Caruso, the episode walks through new studies spanning psychedelics, opioids, alcohol, and cannabis.
The lead story looks at “psilocybin use, mental health treatment utilization and unmet treatment need among US individuals with depression.” Using national survey data, researchers report that among people with a past-year major depressive episode, about 7% used psilocybin, yet “psilocybin use was not associated with any difference in mental health treatment use,” while being linked to greater perceived unmet need. Clinicians are reminded that patients using psilocybin may carry a heavier psychiatric burden.
You’ll also hear about a post-operative opioid use prediction calculator in gynaecologic surgery, hinting that better forecasts could help right-size opioid prescribing rather than guessing pill counts. Alcohol use disorder gets careful attention too. One study examines brain iron, copper, and zinc levels in people with alcohol use disorder, finding sex-specific patterns that raise questions about dementia risk.
Another looks at national prescribing trends for medications for alcohol use disorder in people with alcohol-associated liver disease, noting that “despite significant increases, less than half of ALD patients receive MOUD.” Further segments cover patient views on buprenorphine offers in emergency departments, how the duration of medication for opioid use disorder during and after pregnancy relates to overdose and death, and how couple communication patterns in alcohol-behavioural couple therapy might predict recovery and adherence.
The episode closes with a long-term study tying heavier cannabis use to poorer sleep quality in middle age. It’s a brisk, research-heavy listen with clear summaries and practical angles—ideal if you want to keep your practice, or your knowledge, firmly grounded in current evidence. Which of these findings might shift how you think about treatment today?
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