Ketamine for Treatment of Addiction in Alcohol, Opioid, and Cocaine Use Disorder
Katarina Savić Vujović, Ana Jotić, Branislava Medić, Ivana Ćirković
Ketamine January 1, 2025 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-4599-4_19 via Springer Nature
Summary
Ketamine shows promise as a potential treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs) like alcohol, opioid, and cocaine dependencies. It may help reduce cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse rates due to its unique pharmacological actions, including N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonism. However, challenges such as determining optimal dosing and ensuring long-term safety need further investigation. The chapter emphasizes the necessity of rigorous clinical trials to better understand ketamine's role in addiction treatment.
Study at a glance
| Population | individuals with alcohol, opioid, and cocaine use disorders |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Ketamine may reduce cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse rates in individuals with substance use disorders. |
Abstract
Substance use disorders (SUDs), including alcohol, opioid, and cocaine dependencies, present significant challenges in public health. Current treatment modalities often face limitations in efficacy and accessibility, necessitating exploration of novel therapeutic approaches. Ketamine, originally recognized for its anesthetic properties, has garnered attention for its potential in treating SUDs due to its unique pharmacological actions. This chapter synthesizes current literature on the use of ketamine in alcohol, opioid, and cocaine use disorders, highlighting its mechanisms of action, clinical effectiveness, and safety profile. Through its N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonism and rapid-acting antidepressant effects, ketamine offers promise in reducing cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and relapse rates in clinical study of SUDs. Ketamine’s ability to modulate glutamatergic transmission and promote neural plasticity may contribute to the therapeutic effects in addiction. Challenges such as optimal dosing, long-term safety, and potential for abuse require further investigation. This chapter underscores the evolving landscape of ketamine as a potential adjunctive therapy in SUDs, emphasizing the need for rigorous clinical trials to establish its place in addiction treatment protocols.