Most insurance plans will cover either all or a portion of the treatment.
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SUD treatment executive, national news contributor & keynote speaker.
Navigation:
- Overview
- What Is Ketamine and How Does It Work?
- What Are The Side Effects of Ketamine?
- How Does Ketamine Therapy Work in Rehab?
- How Long Does Ketamine Therapy Last?
- Is Ketamine Therapy Right for Me?
- How Do I Find A Rehab That Offers Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?
Overview
Ketamine has emerged as an increasingly common adjunct therapy in the treatment and management of a variety of mental health challenges, including substance use disorder. Although it is currently only federally approved as a general anesthetic in medical procedures and as a treatment for moderate to severe depression, ketamine has long been shown to prolong abstinence from alcohol and other drugs.
Doctors can legally prescribe medicine for problems not officially approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This is called “off-label” use. Many doctors use standard ketamine in small doses for off-label treatments such as chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and more as new evidence of efficacy emerges.
Ketamine is part of a broader class of psychedelics that are being further tested and incrementally applied within the general mental health treatment landscape. It’s important to remember that the FDA has NOT yet approved these drugs for use other than the conditions listed above. However, if your doctor and treatment provider see it is a viable component of treatment, you may be able to have it integrated into your program.
What Is Ketamine and How Does It Work?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has some hallucinogenic effects. Ketamine distorts the perception of sight and sound and makes the user feel disconnected and not in control. It is referred to as a “dissociative anesthetic hallucinogen” because it makes patients feel detached from their pain and environment.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) reports that Ketamine can induce a state of sedation (feeling calm and relaxed), immobility, relief from pain, and amnesia (no memory of events while under the influence of the drug) and is used for the dissociative sensations and hallucinogenic effects.
What Are The Side Effects of Ketamine?
While each person’s symptoms will vary, some of the more commonly reported side effects of ketamine therapy include:
- Anxiety, irritability and restlessness
- Blurry Vision
- Dissociative Feeling
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
- Stomach Illness (Nausea and Vomiting)
In rarer cases, patients may experience allergic reaction, liver or bladder issues, and hallucinations. If you or your loved one experience these or any other symptoms that concern you, speak with your treatment provider to adjust your dose or assess your continued eligibility. It’s important to realize that in the context of addiction and general mental health treatment, ketamine is generally administered in small and controlled increments, which may be adjusted over the course of your care.
How Does Ketamine Therapy Work in Rehab?
The process of ketamine therapy begins with the clinical team at your treatment assessing whether or not it’s a viable therapy for your case history. Once approved and integrated into your treatment plan, you can begin your first session. During your treatment, you will take your prescribed dose of ketamine (either as a nasal spray, intramuscular injection, or by oral tablet) under the supervision of your provider. You will then be monitored for around one to two hours for side effects, safety issues, and progress, after which your provider will discuss and document your symptoms and ensure you are fully ready to be discharged.
How Long Does Ketamine Therapy Last?
The exact schedule depends on why you’re getting treatment and how your body responds. Some people notice improvement within hours, but those effects can fade within days or weeks. You may need more sessions to keep feeling better. Your healthcare provider will make a plan that fits your needs and adjust it as you go. If you’re unsure how long treatment will last, your provider can explain what to expect and answer your questions.
Please note that ketamine therapy is not meant to replace any other aspect of treatment and should only be administered as part of a comprehensive treatment program that includes detox and behavioral rehab when clinically appropriate.
Is Ketamine Therapy Right for Me?
While ketamine therapy can have positive effects on long-term mental health and relapse prevention, certain patients may meet the criteria more than others.
Some of the most viable candidates for ketamine therapy may include, but are not limited to:
- People with a diagnosis and documented history of depression
- People experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideations.
- People who have not responded to other treatments
- People experiencing co-occurring substance use disorder and PTSD
In the context of addiction treatment, ketamine therapy is meant more to address the mental health challenges connected to addiction than the substance use itself.
How Do I Find A Rehab That Offers Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?
More and more rehabs are often ketamine-assisted therapy as part of their addiction treatment program offerings. Use our nationwide directory to locate a rehab that offers Ketamine-Assisted Therapy.
