Questions to ask any program before you pay

Ten questions that separate a program built on the evidence from one built on the marketing, and what a good answer sounds like.

Addiction treatment has always attracted operators who sell hope by the week, and psychedelics have given them a new vocabulary. These questions are meant to be asked out loud, and the point is as much how they are answered as what is said.

Is what you offer legal here, and under what licence? A good answer names the licence: a medical practice prescribing ketamine off-label, a state-licensed psilocybin service, a registered trial. A bad answer talks about a legal grey area.
Do you require detox or a period of stability before starting, and who assesses that? Yes, and a clinician, are the right answers. See withdrawal first.
Who is medically responsible during a session? A name and a credential. Not "our trained team".
What therapy is included, who delivers it, and how many sessions before and after the medicine? The trials that worked used structured therapy. A program that is medicine plus a waiting room is not following the evidence.
What happens if I have a frightening experience, or if I relapse afterward? Both happen. A program that has not thought about either has not run many sessions.
Will you talk to my doctor, counsellor or treatment program? If not, why not.
What does it cost in total, including therapy and follow-up, and what is refundable? Written down.
What are your outcomes, and how do you know? Honest programs say the evidence comes from trials and they track their own results informally. Dishonest ones quote a success rate.
Do you guarantee anything? No is the only acceptable answer.
Can you point me to the study your protocol is based on? They should be able to name it. For ketamine and alcohol it is usually the KARE trial; for psilocybin and alcohol, the NYU trial.

Red flags that end the conversation

Any offer of psilocybin, MDMA, ibogaine or ayahuasca outside a licensed program or a registered trial.
Pressure to pay a deposit before screening.
Discouraging you from involving your own doctor or your existing recovery supports.
Testimonials in place of a description of the protocol.
A success rate.

This is general information, not medical advice.