Ketamine for Addiction
Ketamine and Substance Abuse Disorders
Ketamine has shown promise in treating substance abuse, particularly alcohol, opioid and cocaine use disorders, due to its unique effects on the brain. Ketamine has a unique ability to induce rapid changes in mood and cognition.
Benefits
Ketamine has shown promise in treating substance abuse, particularly alcohol, opioid and cocaine use disorders, due to its unique effects on the brain. Ketamine has a unique ability to induce rapid changes in mood and cognition.
- A 2022 study published by The American Journal of Psychiatry found that ketamine infusions, combined with psychotherapy, significantly reduced alcohol consumption in patients with alcohol use disorders.
- Other studies have shown that by increasing neuroplasticity individuals have been able to reduce days of heavy drinking.
- Preliminary research is showing promise in reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms in opioid use disorders.
- New studies indicate ketamine infusions may decrease cocaine use by altering reward sensitivity.
How it Works
- NMDA Receptor Modulation: Ketamine is known to target glutamate signals, which is disrupted in addiction. It can help to reset and rewire neural circuits linked to reward and craving in addiction.
- Neuroplasticity: low-dose ketamine promotes synaptic growth. This growth could potentially reset maladaptive patterns formed by addiction.
- Mood Improvement: The rapid effects of ketamine can address underlying causes of addictions such as depression and anxiety.
- Disruption of Cravings: Ketamine’s dissociative effects may interrupt the neural circuits and psychological pull of drug related cravings, helping patients to reframe their relationship with substances.
Studies are ongoing and further research is needed but the rapid onset of effects, potential to break addictions cycle and rewiring of neural networks show much promise in addictions treatment. Ketamine is not a first line treatment, but is gaining attention and should be an adjunct to psychotherapy.