A controlled study of lysergide in the treatment of alcoholism. 1. The effects on drinking behavior.

'UMEROUS CLINICAL TRIALS have been made with : .... lysergide (LSD) in the treatment of alcoholism (1-5). For the most part, the reports of these trials have claimed !_ i_ that lysergide reduces drinking among alcoholics; the percentage of alcoholics stated to be "improved" or "much improved" after _', lysergide has ranged from 50 (5) to 94 (1). A recent critique by _! _ Smart and Storm (6), however, has pointed out that these claims : of success are based on clinical trials which could give no clear ! indication of the effectiveness of any new treatment. In particular, .... these trials are characterized by a lack of the very control groups, follow-up procedures, and measures of change which would allow _i any valid statement about lysergide. 3 Because lysergide is one of