Single Versus Repeated Sessions of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for People with Heroin Dependence

People with heroin dependence who received three sessions of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KPT) were more likely to remain abstinent at one-year follow-up than those who received only one session. In a randomized trial, 59 detoxified inpatients first received a KPT session before discharge, then were assigned to either two additional monthly KPT sessions plus counseling or two monthly counseling sessions alone. At one year, 50% (13 of 26) of the multiple-session group stayed abstinent, compared to 22.2% (6 of 27) of the single-session group. No differences emerged between groups in depression, anxiety, craving for heroin, or understanding of life meaning. Three KPT sessions appear more effective than one for promoting abstinence.

Study at a glance

Abstract

A prior study found that one ketamine-assisted psychotherapy session was significantly more effective than active placebo in promoting abstinence (Krupitsky et al. 2002). In this study of the efficacy of single versus repeated sessions of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in promoting abstinence in people with heroin dependence, 59 detoxified inpatients with heroin dependence received a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KPT) session prior to their discharge from an addiction treatment hospital, and were then randomized into two treatment groups. Participants in the first group received two addiction counseling sessions followed by two KPT sessions, with sessions scheduled on a monthly interval (multiple KPT group). Participants in the second group received two addiction counseling sessions on a monthly interval, but no additional ketamine therapy sessions (single KPT group). At one-year follow-up, survival analysis demonstrated a significantly higher rate of abstinence in the multiple KPT group. Thirteen out of 26 subjects (50%) in the multiple KPT group remained abstinent, compared to 6 out of 27 subjects (22.2%) in the single KPT group (p < 0.05). No differences between groups were found in depression, anxiety, craving for heroin, or their understanding of the meaning of their lives. It was concluded that three sessions of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy are more effective than a single session for the treatment of heroin addiction.