Ketamine therapy is breaking new ground in treating a wide range of conditions. From clinical depression to fibromyalgia, people are finding relief from their symptoms with innovative ketamine treatments. But what about substance use disorders?
Treating Addiction with Ketamine Therapy?
Addiction is unquestionably one of the most vexing disorders Americans grapple with, and solutions for addiction can be elusive. Ketamine therapy for addiction is helping transform people’s lives and offering a new approach to an age-old problem.
Can ketamine help with addiction? How does ketamine therapy work in concert with mental health treatment to give people with substance use disorders a way forward? We’ll answer these questions and more below.
This Quest Ketamine Therapies article explores the use of ketamine in a clinical setting to treat addiction.
What is Addiction, and Why Do People Relapse?
At its root, addiction is a behavioral disorder and a disease of the mind. People become addicted for a variety of reasons, but the solution to addiction remains the same. The person with a substance use disorder must find a way to become comfortable in their own skin again without abusing drugs or alcohol.
It’s been said that the problem isn’t so much quitting as it is remaining sober. One of the biggest reasons for that is psychological discomfort. With medical treatment, it only takes between 5-14 days for physical withdrawal from a substance to subside.
After that, addiction is primarily a psychological concern. The biggest reason people relapse after the physical detox is over is psychological discomfort. This may take the form of depression, anxiety, or a dozen other things, but ultimately, it’s happening in the brain.
What Does The Science Say About Ketamine Therapy for Addiction?
Ketamine therapy in a controlled environment is a powerful tool in combating addiction. Several studies have shown that ketamine therapy is effective in helping alcoholics and people addicted to heroin remain abstinent for long periods.
A comprehensive assessment of 83 published reports, 33 systematic reviews, and 40 different randomized trials concluded that ketamine therapy provided “robust, rapid and transient antidepressant and anti-suicidal effects” for people recovering from substance abuse disorders.
What science says about ketamine therapy for addiction:
- Ketamine therapy helps meaningfully reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol.
- Addiction therapy with ketamine helps lift mood and improve motivation.
- Ketamine treatment enhances neuroplasticity, making it easier to adopt new habits.
- Ketamine therapy provides a rapid anti-depressant effect, which can help prevent relapse.
How Does Ketamine Therapy Help with Addiction?
So, we know that ketamine therapy does, in fact, help people with addiction recover and remain sober long-term. But how does ketamine therapy achieve this?
How Ketamine Therapy Helps Addiction in the Brain
Ketamine is an NMDA Receptor Antagonist. This means ketamine therapy for addiction works, in part, by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain. NMDA receptors are involved in the formation of memories and mood regulation.
Addiction therapy with ketamine works by resetting the same neural pathways associated with addiction. Addiction is a learned behavior. The brain of a person with a substance use disorder has been “programmed” to seek out drugs of abuse or alcohol. When ketamine therapy blocks NMDA receptors, it helps break that association.
Ketamine Therapy for Addiction Helps Sharply Reduce Cravings
Another way in which addiction therapy with ketamine helps substance abuse sufferers is by markedly reducing cravings for their ‘drug of choice.’ Cravings are one of the leading causes of relapse, particularly within the first 90 days of sobriety.
Boosting Mood, Motivation and Neuroplasticity
In order to recover from addiction, the brain must be ‘reprogrammed’ in a sense. Old patterns of thought and behavior need to be broken and replaced by healthy, new ones. Ketamine therapy promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to build new pathways and patterns.
Ketamine therapy for addiction has also been found to both improve general mood and enhance motivation. Both are essential to successful recovery, especially in the beginning. Recovery is hard work, and few will stick to it unless they can remain motivated and keep their heads up through the challenges.
Ketamine’s Rapid Depression Relief Also Helps Support Sobriety
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) has a solid track record for providing real results for people suffering from depression and anxiety. Even better, ketamine makes people more receptive to therapy by promoting neuroplasticity.
Ketamine’s depression-fighting powers help counteract the depression that often accompanies addiction and is a frequent contributing factor to relapse. When combined with psychotherapy, the effect can be nothing less than transformative.
A New Approach: Ketamine Therapy for Addiction
Quest Ketamine Therapies is proud to offer ketamine therapy to help people overcome challenges. Whether it’s depression, addiction, chronic pain, or a combination of challenges you face, we’re here to make a difference.
If you or your loved one have tried other conventional approaches only to be let down time and time again—perhaps it’s time to try something different.
The best way to learn more about ketamine therapy for addiction and other conditions like anxiety is to contact us to schedule a free evaluation.
You are also welcome to call us directly at (425) 654-5433 with your questions about ketamine and anxiety.
