Millions of people struggle with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) worldwide, with many of them not responding to traditional treatments. A path to healing is not impossible with innovative ketamine-assisted recovery programs that promote emotional balance, self-awareness, and lasting sobriety.
What is Ketamine-Assisted Recovery?
Ketamine was originally developed as a dissociative anesthetic, but over the last two decades, it has shown evidence-based results for reducing the symptoms of various mental health conditions. Ketamine targets the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, promoting neuroplasticity and creating new neural connections in the brain. It can also help reduce negative thought patterns and encourage personal growth. Ketamine-assisted recovery combines ketamine therapy and addiction-focused psychotherapy.
How ketamine works for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
People who struggle with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) often have underlying mental health struggles, such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, that can act as fuel to the addiction. A lot of people use alcoholism as a coping mechanism to manage stress, trauma, and difficult emotions, leading to physical dependence and addiction.
Ketamine can reduce the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and other underlying factors. This treatment, paired with additional psychotherapy, can find the root of the addiction and support a lasting recovery journey.
[Source: Grant, B. F., Goldstein, R. B., et al. (2015). Epidemiology of DSM-5 alcohol use disorder. JAMA Psychiatry, 72(8), 757–766.]
Ketamine-Assisted Recovery Programs
Kadelyx offers a personalized approach to recovery that ensures effective results that align with the patient’s recovery journey. The different types of ketamine-assisted programs include:
- Limited 2-Week Program – Ketamine-assisted substance use disorders primary diagnosis treatment: Over two weeks, the patient undergoes one Preparation Psychotherapy session (120 minutes), three Ketamine Sessions (165 minutes each), and three Integration Psychotherapy Sessions (60 minutes each).
- Comprehensive 8-Week addiction Recovery Program – Ketamine-assisted substance use disorders primary diagnosis treatment, secondary diagnosis treatment, and integrative medicine recovery program: Over the eight weeks, the patient undergoes one Preparation Psychotherapy session (120 minutes), six Ketamine Sessions (165 minutes each), eight Integration Psychotherapy Sessions (60 minutes each) and seven Integrative Medicine Sessions (90 minutes initial session with lab testing and a 60 minutes follow up session).
Benefits of Ketamine Therapy for alcoholism
Ketamine therapy offers several potential benefits for those suffering from Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). Ketamine stimulates neural connectivity, causing the brain to form new pathways that support behavioral changes. The treatment goes beyond immediate symptom relief, it promotes deep recovery while processing the underlying causes of the addiction. Anyone who is struggling with Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) can heal in a safe and controlled environment and gain therapeutic benefits, such as:
- Rapid relief of depression, anxiety, and other underlying issues
- Disrupted negative thought patterns
- Reduced alcohol cravings
- Enhances deep emotional processing
- May lower the risk of relapse
What to Expect During a Ketamine-Assisted Recovery Program?
Ketamine-assisted recovery for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) starts with a psychological intake of the patient’s history, presenting symptoms, and goals before beginning the treatment. Both programs include Relapse Prevention Psychoeducation, which helps patients to learn how to identify and respond to triggers and cravings while developing reactive coping mechanisms to avoid relapse.
Guided ketamine sessions are conducted in a controlled, clinical environment by the Kadelyx team. A precise dose of ketamine is administered intramuscularly (IM), usually into the shoulder, leading patients into a deeply therapeutic dissociative state. Additionally, both programs offer Preparation Psychotherapy sessions and Integration Psychotherapy Sessions.
Ketamine-assisted recovery focuses on hope and long-term healing with guided integration and supportive psychotherapy. The patient can learn to apply coping mechanisms, make intentional lifestyle changes that support emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual balance, develop relapse prevention strategies, and process emerging issues related to mental health to support long-term sobriety.
Comparing Ketamine with Traditional AUD Treatments
There’s not a one-size-fits-all treatment for substance use disorders. For decades, medications like naltrexone and acamprosate were the main options for those struggling with alcohol dependency, but many people haven’t seen the desired improvements. Traditional AUD treatments target neural pathways to reduce alcohol cravings, while ketamine targets NMDA receptors and promotes neuroplasticity.
Understanding the differences, limitations, and benefits of different treatment options will help in long-term recovery.
| Treatment type | Ketamine | Traditional AUD treatments |
| Administration | IM, IV | Orally |
| In addition to therapy | Addiction-focused psychotherapy | 12-step program, Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) |
| Onset of effects | Rapid, within hours of the session | Weeks to months |
| Duration of treatment | Two weeks or eight weeks | Several months |
| FDA-approved | Off-label | Yes, certain medications |
| Side effects | Nausea, dizziness | Nausea, headache, fatigue, drowsiness |
An Evidence-Based Path to Sobriety
Ketamine is an evidence-based alternative to classic Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) treatments, enhancing neuroplasticity, disrupting negative thought patterns, and rapidly reducing alcohol cravings. Ketamine-assisted recovery programs are conducted with care, offering new hope for those struggling with substance use disorders. Book your consultation today and learn more about ketamine-assisted recovery programs at Kadelyx Health.
