The Use of LSD in Psychotherapy and Alcoholism
Edited by Harold A Abramson MD
Introduction by Frank Fremond Smith MD
Published Bobs Merrill Co 697 Pages no dust cover
Library Discard
Excellent shape
Medical Library Warren State Hospital
front piece contains clipping about Abramson
at the time this book was written Abramson
was practicing Psychiatry in NY City
During the War he served in the Office of the Chief Chemical Warfare Service from 1942 1946
I wonder if any of the clinical data in the book contains any of data from Abramsons work with Bill Wilson!!??

The Use of LSD in Psychotherapy and Alcoholism.

Abramson, Harold A. (Editor) (1967).
Indianapolis, IN: Bobbs-Merrill.


ISBN: none

Description: Hardcover, xxvi + 697 pages.

Contents: Introduction, Address: The Second International Conference on the Use of LSD in Psychotherapy and Alcoholism by Andre Rolo, Preface by Frank Fremont-Smith, Registered Participants, 36 unnumbered papers divided into 8 sections: 1.Cultural Pharmacology, 2. Psychopharmacology, 3. Psycholytic Psychotherapy, 4. Psychedelic Psychotherapy, with Special Reference to Alcoholism, 5. Probation Case Work, 6. Childhood Schizophrenia, 7. Effect on Religious Experience, 8. Mechanisms of Action in Man, reference by section and paper.

Note: The text is composed of the full versions of shortened papers which were presented at a conference held May 8th - 10th, 1965, at South Oaks Hospital in Amityville, NY.

Excerpt's): On December 2, 1965, The New England Journal of Medicine, one of the most respected medical publications in this country, published an editorial under the title, "LSD-A Dangerous Drug." This editorial ignored the entire body of published data, including the report published by the Josiah Macy, Jr., Foundation on the First International Conference on LSD, "The Use of LSD in Psychotherapy," in stating "...today there is no published evidence that further experimentation is likely to yield invaluable data." (Emphasis mine). Such unwarranted denigration is almost the ultimate expression of an anti-scientific attitude. ("Preface," Frank Fremont-Smith, p. xv)
 

The Chapters on LSD and Alcoholism Include

1. Program for Treatment of Alcoholism Abram Hoffer MD

2. LSD 25 and Mescaline as Therapeutic adjutants McLean McDonald Ogden Wilby

3. Comment on Some Uses of Psychotomimetics in Psychiatry Osmond

4. Problems in the use of LSD 25 in the treatment of Alcoholism Osmond Cheek

5.  Metamorphous of an LSD Psychotherapist Ken Godfrey MD

6. Is LSD of value in treating Alcoholics?? Ruth Fox MD

7. Psychedelic Procedure and the Alcoholic patient Kurland Under Shaffer

8. Brief Psychotherapy LSD and the Alcoholic O Reilly MD

9. Variables in LSD Psychedelic Therapy Savage Fadiman Mogar Allen

10. Hypnodelic Treatment technique Levin MD Ludwig MD

11. Importance of NON Verbal Eisner Phd

12. Therapeutic Change in Consciousness.,.,.Alnes MD

13. Dimensions in Psychotherapy  Hein MD

14. Psychotherapy with LSD pro and Con Cohen MD
    
     

As can be seen, there is a variety of moods, sensations and thoughts representative of the experience. The first category indicates that LSD is primarily a euphoriant, relaxing drug. The next five categories indicate that the drug produces feelings of greater understanding and awareness, deeper insights and enhanced aesthetic appreciation. This sense of increased understanding can be in the areas of self, of others, and of ideas, including philosophical, spiritual or religious ones. For example, one subject felt that after LSD he had "gained insight into the most important issues of existence as presented by the major world religions in their most esoteric aspect, and that listening to Bach's music he realized that Bach's secret of success was the application of this Highest Truth." Feelings of distortion of toxicity are also present in the LSD experience, but are less descriptive. Such feelings include perceptual distortions, unusual body sensations, dysphoria and depersonalization. Mood disturbances such as depression and anxiety occur, as well as thought disturbances such as delusions and paranoid feelings, but they too are less descriptive of the experience. It can be seen from the last category (18. Hallucinations) that calling these drugs "hallucinogens" would appear to be standing the truth on its head. ("Evaluating LSD as a Psychotherapeutic Agent," Keith S. Ditman and Joseph J. Bailey, page 76)

F. Transcendental experiences These include a number of not easily explainable experiences, such as floating in space, being in the presence of God, being at peace with everybody, being spiritually re-born. Many therapists believe that a transcendental experience — a feeling that it is a good world and one is part of it — is a curative experience in itself. They also believe that such an experience early in the treatment is a good prognostic sign. Others see it as just a sign of disappearance of ego-boundaries, an escape experience, especially in the dependent individual. ("Theoretical Aspects of LSD Therapy," John Buckman, pages 93-94)

For a period of time I was quite curious about the effect of the expectation of the therapist on the LSD productions. This was accentuated by the reports of the Jungians who fostered the "transcendental experience." However, in reviewing this phase of the problem, I perceived that my patients had their share of transcendental experiences were not a zenith, except momentarily. The rapturous narcissistic self-affirmation that evolved from these episodes might carry the individual through a couple of days or a couple of months. In all instances, they fitted into the total therapy as a jumping off place, a place at which the patient had divested himself momentarily of the previously self-paralyzing negations and experienced a positive if regressive self-image from which further motivation to grow was crystallized. ("Six Years Experience with LSD Therapy," Fred W. Langen, page 125)