Betty Eisner, a pioneering psychologist from the mid-20th century, was instrumental in the early exploration of psychedelic therapy, particularly the use of LSD for treating psychological conditions such as alcoholism. Working alongside Sidney Cohen at UCLA, Eisner was at the forefront of developing innovative therapeutic techniques involving psychedelics. Her contributions were significant, especially in the realm of addiction treatment, where her work intersected intriguingly with the philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), founded by Bill Wilson.
Eisner’s involvement with psychedelics led her to conduct some of the earliest group LSD therapy sessions, and she credits Bill Wilson, co-founder of AA, with initiating this group approach. Wilson, who had a deep interest in spiritual experiences as a critical component of recovery from alcoholism, believed that psychedelics could potentially facilitate profound spiritual awakenings. He thought these experiences could be particularly valuable for alcoholics who struggled to achieve the spiritual transformation that AA considers essential for sobriety.
“The use of group sessions actually started with Bill Wilson, of Alcoholics Anonymous fame. Bill Wilson took LSD along with Tom Powers, who handled the publicity for AA, and Sid Cohen and me. That was the flrst group session. Strangely, for Tom and me the drug didn’t work for four hours while we were doing therapy with Bill Wilson. [laughs] Then it hit the moment we got out of the hospital environment! Interesting.” -Betty Eisner Interview, The Birth and Death of Psychedelic Therapy
Eisner recounts that the first group LSD session she participated in was with Bill Wilson, his close associate Tom Powers, and Sidney Cohen. This marked the beginning of group therapy sessions using LSD. The session aimed to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of LSD in a controlled setting. Interestingly, while Eisner and Powers did not feel the effects of the drug initially, the experience profoundly affected Wilson, who saw it as a potential tool for helping alcoholics gain a deeper spiritual insight. Wilson was enthusiastic about the possibilities, feeling that the experience had positively impacted his mental state and could offer similar benefits to others in AA.
For a time, there was serious consideration within AA to include LSD as a part of the recovery process, particularly for those who struggled to achieve the spiritual awakening deemed necessary for lasting sobriety. However, this idea faced significant resistance from the AA community and its board, who were concerned about the implications of promoting a substance that could be seen as contradictory to AA’s foundational principle of total abstinence. Ultimately, the fear of societal backlash and the potential risks associated with psychedelics led AA to abandon the idea of incorporating LSD into their program.
Eisner’s reflections highlight a fascinating and lesser-known chapter in AA’s history—one where its leadership, particularly Wilson, was willing to explore radical and unconventional methods for recovery. Yet, despite his openness to these ideas, the broader organization remained more conservative, wary of venturing beyond traditional, drug-free approaches to sobriety.
Even after AA decided against the use of LSD, Eisner continued her advocacy for the controlled use of psychedelics in therapy. She remained convinced of their potential to facilitate deep psychological and spiritual healing, lamenting the missed opportunity within AA to explore a more inclusive approach to recovery that could have benefited those struggling with addiction in new and profound ways.
Betty Eisner’s work and her collaboration with figures like Bill Wilson serve as a powerful reminder of the complexities involved in addiction treatment and the challenges of integrating innovative, science-based approaches within established recovery frameworks. Her story underscores the importance of remaining open to multiple paths to healing, suggesting that what might seem radical or unconventional today could very well become an essential part of effective treatment tomorrow. As the field of psychedelic therapy experiences a resurgence, Eisner’s pioneering efforts and her groundbreaking group sessions with Bill Wilson provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of mental health and addiction recovery.
