Psychedelics for Fighting Addiction
In the wake of a global opioid crisis, it might seem paradoxical for a "drug" to be used to treat drug addiction. However, the research has shown promising results for the use of psychedelics in the treatment of opioid abuse disorder and other substance abuse disorders. First, it's important to note that the mesolimbic reward system engaged alcohol, nicotine, opioids, and other addictive substances is not at all involved in the psychedelic pathway, and the research has shown that psychedelics themselves do not promote any dependence or addiction.
Psychedelics are linked to these drugs of addiction however, in that they have been implemented for the treatment of alcohol dependence, nicotine, opioid, and stimulant addiction. In fact, only one small dose can combat addiction long-term. Researchers aren't exactly sure how this happens. It is believed that the psychedelic state enables for plasticity in area of the brain where the addiction is physiologically "contained" so that this habit can be destabilized and in a sense be "let go".
Articles referenced: Tripping up addiction: the use of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of problematic drug and alcohol use