What is Ketamine Therapy For Addiction
Ketamine therapy, also known as ketamine infusion therapy, is a treatment strategy that uses low doses of the anesthetic ketamine, under medical supervision. Ketamine treatment is perhaps best known as an effective pharmacological therapy for clinical depression, particularly treatment-resistant depression that doesn’t respond to conventional antidepressants.
What may not be as well known is that ketamine therapy is useful for a host of other mental health conditions. One of these is addiction. Ketamine works by targeting glutamate, a neurotransmitter in the brain, promoting new synaptic connections and aiding in mood regulation. Research continues, but thus far, the results have been extremely promising in most patients receiving ketamine therapy for addiction, aiding in relief from cravings, withdrawal, and other symptoms.
Ketamine therapy for addiction:
- Happens in a comfortable outpatient clinic setting
- Must be administered by a medically trained specialist
- Can begin to offer symptom relief almost immediately
- Has been shown to be effective in several clinical studies
Can Ketamine Therapy Help With Addiction?
Yes, ketamine therapy can help many people with addiction as part of a recovery strategy. Ketamine therapy for addiction has been shown to be effective in several peer-reviewed clinical studies. In fact, one such study found people with opioid use disorder who had received ketamine therapy were twice as likely to have remained sober and drug-free after one year compared to the control group, which did not receive the ketamine therapy.
Patients with alcohol use disorders had even better results than the opioid use group. After one year, 65.8% of people with alcohol addiction who received ketamine therapy remained sober, compared to only 24% of the control group with alcohol addiction, who did not receive ketamine therapy..
Ketamine therapy for addiction can help by:
- Sharply reducing cravings and impulses to use drugs or drink alcohol
- Regulating mood, reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety
- Decreasing withdrawal symptoms
- Reducing the effect of triggers that stem from memories and trauma
- Protecting a person in early recovery so they can build ‘sober time’
But, Don’t People Abuse Ketamine?
Like many pharmaceutical medications developed for other purposes, people do misuse ketamine sometimes. However, ketamine therapy is administered by a professional in a safe, controlled clinical setting and at much lower doses.
Other medications used in addiction treatment, such as methadone or buprenorphine, also have some potential for misuse — however, that does not change the fact they can be used safely and effectively with medical guidance, and yield great benefits for the person working to overcome their addiction.
What Ketamine Therapy Can and Cannot Do
Ketamine treatment is undoubtedly a powerful therapeutic tool with many uses, including relieving symptoms of treatment-resistant depression, regulating mood, and alleviating drug cravings and other symptoms
Ketamine therapy CAN:
- Reduce cravings for drugs and alcohol
- Be a powerful therapeutic tool
- Help support someone in recovery
- Be a catalyst for positive changes
Ketamine therapy CAN NOT:
- Cure addiction or another mental health disorder
- Be a complete solution all by itself
Should I Try Ketamine Therapy for Addiction?
Ketamine therapy for addiction is one of many treatment options you might consider. Like any other treatment for addiction, ketamine therapy will be most effective when it is used as a part of a larger recovery strategy, which may include psychotherapy and group counseling, along with other lifestyle changes.
Ketamine therapy cannot “cure addiction” any more than any other addiction treatment can. Science has not, as of yet, developed a definitive cure for addiction, but ketamine therapy could help by sharply reducing drug cravings, and urges to use and by relieving depressive symptoms. Many people find treatment with ketamine helpful. Especially if you have tried other treatments for addiction in the past with limited success, ketamine may help you achieve the therapeutic breakthrough that has eluded you thus far.
Innovative Psychedelic Therapy for Addiction
The easiest way to find out if ketamine therapy could be a good choice for you is to schedule a free 15-minute consultation with Quest Ketamine Therapies. We can conduct the consultation over the phone at your convenience. We look forward to speaking with you and helping you find out if psychedelic medicine is the solution for you!
If you want to contact us directly, please email us at info@questketamineclinics.com, call us at (425) 654-5433, or send a text message to (206) 589-5958. Please leave your name, contact information, and the best time(s) to reach you.
