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Irina Alexander

2 papers in the library · 2 citations · publishing 2024-2025

Papers

Exploring Cultural Competence, Inclusivity, and Diversity in Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: A Phenomenological Study.

Journal of psychoactive drugs May 2, 2024 Dave Rojas, Diane C Zelman, Alexander O Hauson et al. 2 citations

In a diverse and low-income sample of 15 individuals receiving ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, culture, race, ethnicity, LGBTQIA+ identity, stigma, and financial barriers were highly salient to the treatment experience. Four major themes emerged: insufficient financial resources, race/ethnicity and LGBTQIA+ identity, stigma, and culture and ritual. The findings indicate that issues of race, culture, stigma, ritual, and socioeconomic status must be incorporated into treatment planning and outcome research for psychedelic therapies.

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2024.2341811 Full text Ketamine Culture Diversity Ethnicity +8

Ketamine-Assisted Recovery (KARE): protocol for an open-label pilot trial of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for publicly insured patients with methamphetamine use disorder and HIV risks

BMJ Open August 1, 2025 Nicky J. Mehtani, B. Anderson, Irina Alexander et al.

Methamphetamine use disorder (MeUD) has no FDA-approved pharmacotherapies and is linked to poor neurological, psychiatric, and cardiovascular outcomes, especially among low-income populations, while also increasing risks for sexually transmitted infections. The Ketamine-Assisted Recovery (KARE) trial is an open-label pilot study enrolling 12 to 24 Medicaid- or Medicare-insured adults with moderate-to-severe MeUD and HIV risk factors. Participants will receive three intramuscular ketamine sessions (0.50-0.75 mg/kg) combined with seven motivational enhancement therapy sessions over five weeks. The study will assess feasibility, acceptability, tolerability, safety, and potential mechanisms such as psychological flexibility, laying groundwork for future randomized trials.

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2025-100775 Ketamine Protocol science Methamphetamine Psychiatry +5