Changing The Game: Jon Kostas on Psychedelic Therapy for Alcohol Use Disorder

Join Sonia in this episode of Sisters in Sobriety as she sits down with Jon Kostas, an inspiring advocate for addiction recovery and a trailblazer in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) for alcohol use disorder. Jon’s journey from struggling with alcoholism to finding a path to sobriety through PAT is nothing short of transformative. His mission? To make this life-changing treatment accessible to everyone who needs it.

Jon Kostas made history as the first person to complete a clinical trial at New York University studying psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder. He credits this therapy with curing his stubborn alcoholism and saving his life. Now, he’s on a mission to spread the word and help others through his organization, the Apollo Pact, which raises awareness and promotes psychedelic research by working with researchers and Congress.

Sonia and Jon dive into some fascinating topics: What drove Jon to try psilocybin therapy after other treatments failed? How does this unique therapy work, and what sets it apart from traditional methods? What are the potential benefits and risks? This episode sheds light on the exciting world of psychedelic therapy and its promise for addiction recovery.

Get ready to learn about the science behind psilocybin therapy and its potential to treat a range of mental health issues. Jon breaks down the rigorous clinical trial process, why medical supervision is crucial, and how advocacy plays a key role in advancing this groundbreaking research. Keywords like "psilocybin-assisted therapy," "psychedelic research," and "addiction recovery" will pop up throughout, making complex ideas easy to understand.

Jon’s personal story is incredibly relatable. He opens up about his battles with alcohol, the many recovery attempts that didn’t stick, and how psilocybin therapy turned his life around. His journey from hopelessness to hope will resonate with anyone facing similar struggles. As he shares his current advocacy efforts, Jon paints a hopeful picture of the future of addiction treatment.

This is Sisters in Sobriety, the support community that helps women change their relationship with alcohol. Check out our Substack for extra tips, tricks, and resources.

*Jon was interviewed by Anderson Cooper for 60 Minutes, Harry Smith for NBC’s TODAY Show, Nightly News with Lester Holt, Sunday TODAY with Willie Geist, and Michael Pollan for How to Change Your Mind. He has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Fox, CBS, NBC, CNN, TIME Magazine, New York Post, Washington Post, U.S. News & World Report, among other national outlets.

Highlights:

[00:01:14] - Introduction of Jon Kostas, his journey from alcoholism to recovery through psychedelic-assisted therapy.

[00:02:00] - Jon discusses the founding of the Apollo Pact and its mission to change addiction treatment.

[00:02:37] - Jon shares a bit about his early life and what led him to begin his recovery journey.

[00:04:00] - Jon describes his first experience with AA meetings and how it resonated with him.

[00:07:00] - Sonia asks Jon if he continued drinking after his first AA meeting, and Jon explains his struggle with maintaining sobriety.

[00:08:50] - Jon talks about his experience with numerous treatment attempts and the frustration of treatment-resistant alcoholism.

[00:11:00] - Discussion about the perception of alcoholism as a disease and how it impacts patients.

[00:12:30] - Jon shares his thoughts on the guilt and moral hangovers associated with drinking.

[00:16:00] - Jon explains his initial fear and hesitation about entering the psilocybin-assisted therapy trial.

[00:19:00] - Description of the screening and preparation process for the psilocybin sessions.

[00:21:00] - Jon describes the setup and environment of his first psilocybin therapy session.

[00:24:00] - Jon shares the transformative experience during his first psilocybin session and the realization of its impact.

[00:26:00] - Jon discusses the symbolism he experienced during his sessions, such as seeing a liquor bottle disintegrate.

[00:28:00] - Insights into the peacefulness Jon felt during a death experience in one of his sessions.

[00:30:00] - Jon talks about the difference between psilocybin therapy and other treatments like ketamine.

[00:32:00] - Explanation of the legal status of psilocybin and the importance of clinical trials for approval.

[00:34:00] - Jon emphasizes the need for proper medical supervision and the safety of psilocybin treatment.

[00:36:20] - Discussion about the potential for FDA approval and making psilocybin treatment more accessible.

[00:38:00] - Jon talks about the advocacy work of the Apollo Pact and its role in advancing psychedelic research.

[00:44:00] - Jon reflects on how his understanding of recovery has evolved and the importance of new treatment approaches.

Links:

• Find Out More About Jon's Work Here - www.apollopact.org
• Sisters In Sobriety Substack - find more tips, tricks, resources, and community
• Sisters In Sobriety Email
• Sisters In Sobriety Instagram
• Kathleen’s Website Kathleen does not endorse any products mentioned in this podcast
• Kathleen’s Instagram