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People battling alcoholism are to be given the drug Ecstasy in a bid to help beat their addiction.

The study - being pioneered by the drug and alcohol charity Addaction - will involve a world-first clinical trial and will investigate whether the form of ecstasy, MDMA, can be used to treat alcohol addiction.

It is hoped the trial will be a first step in a new approach of dealing with addiction.

The study will follow a group of Addaction clients from across North Somerset, each of whom have volunteered to take part in specialised therapy sessions.

Volunteers will be supported through detox before beginning the therapy in which they will receive eight pyschotherapy sessions.

Four of the sessions will be carried out under normal circumstances, while in two, clients will be given MDMA under medical supervision.

MDMA - Methylenedioxymethamphetamine - is commonly known as ecstasy and is a psychoactive substance used primarily as a recreational drug. The desired recreational effects include increased empathy, euphoria and heightened sensations.

The objective is, by using the drug, it will reduce fear and encourage the participants to talk openly about past trauma - a major factor in addiction.

Up to 20 clients will take part in the first phase of the study.

A typical client is a daily drinker with a childhood history of trauma, whose drinking is recognised as a form of self-harm to block out traumatic memories. Participants may have detoxed multiple times, tried psychotherapy and antidepressants.

The trial is led by a team based at the University of Bristol’s Clinical Research and Imaging Centre.

The Principal Investigator is Dr Ben Sessa, who works as a Consultant Psychiatrist in Addaction’s North Somerset addiction service and in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMS).

(Image: Jim Mitchell)

Addaction psychologist Laurie Higbid is Dr Sessa’s co-therapist on the project which is being sponsored by Imperial College London with supervision by Professor David Nutt.

Dr Sessa said: “Psychological trauma can lead to lasting problems like addiction and self-harm. Current treatments for trauma are fairly limited and we need to be brave in our exploration of new approaches.”

Dr Sessa said many people struggle to stay in treatment once they begin talking about their trauma.

He said: “We see it a lot in services like Addaction.

"It’s often too painful. Some people drop out, others might use drugs or alcohol to self-medicate in response to painful memories. MDMA-assisted psychotherapy is still tough and distressing, but it gives the patient an extra layer of armour.

"It helps them talk about their pain, reflect on the root cause, and begin the healing process.”

Dr Sessa continued: “It’s inevitable that if you hurt a five-year-old you will have a 30-year-old with problems. Alcohol often ends up as a big part of the picture.

"This trial could be the first step in a new approach to addiction. It may give us an important tool in the treatment of trauma and we’re grateful to Addaction for being part of it.”

The trial is the UK’s first clinical MDMA study and the world’s first MDMA addiction trial.

It is an open label pilot study to show proof of concept. The next stage will be a double blind investigation in which neither the participants nor the experimenters know who is receiving a particular treatment.

Addaction’s Medical Director Dr Paul Hughes said: “As a treatment provider we need to be prepared to try new treatments, based on the best scientific evidence.

"Fundamentally we’re interested in what works for the people who need our help. We’re proud to be involved in this fascinating trial.”

Addaction, which has a base in Weston-super-Mare serving clients across North Somerset, is a leading UK drug, alcohol and mental health charity.

Each year it works with more than 70,000 people in 120 locations across Scotland and England.

Its services are delivered by staff teams of experienced, dedicated and committed individuals with expertise in delivering drug and alcohol interventions and supporting people battling with alcohol, drugs and their mental health, change their lives.