The Independent - 20.08.2019

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TUESDAY 20 AUGUST 2019

MDMA ‘perfect drug’ to treat


alcoholism in therapy


New study suggests drug is safe and can reduce likelihood of relapse (iStock)


COLIN DRURY


Alcoholism could be successfully treated by giving patients MDMA, new research suggests.


The first study to analyse the use of the drug in tackling alcohol addiction has shown it is both safe and
highly effective, it has been reported. In test cases where alcoholics have been given MDMA alongside
psychotherapy, there has been only one relapse and no physical or psychological side effects, scientists say.


That compares to an overall figure where 80 per cent of patients undergoing traditional treatments are
known to be drinking again within three years. Dr Ben Sessa, the addiction psychiatrist leading the safety
and tolerability study at Imperial College London, said 11 people had so far completed the experimental


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