Addiction – Ketamine Ottawa

Addiction & Substance Use Disorders

An emerging frontier in addiction medicine

Ketamine-assisted therapy is showing significant promise in addiction medicine — particularly for alcohol use disorder, opioid dependence, and cocaine addiction — by interrupting craving circuits and supporting psychological transformation.

AUD

Symptom onset often within 24–48 hours

Promising

Novel mechanism vs. SSRIs

Psychological

Transformative effects via psychedelic-like mechanisms

Addiction is a complex neurobiological disease characterized by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. Standard treatments — including pharmacotherapy, behavioural therapy, and 12-step programs — are effective for many but leave a substantial proportion of patients cycling through relapse.

Emerging research suggests that ketamine, particularly when combined with structured psychotherapy, can meaningfully extend periods of abstinence and reduce craving intensity in addiction. The mechanism involves both neurobiological and psychological dimensions — and its therapeutic potential in this space is generating significant scientific attention.

It is important to note that ketamine for addiction is among the more exploratory of its clinical applications. Candidacy is assessed carefully, and it is not appropriate for individuals with active polysubstance use or current ketamine misuse.

How ketamine helps with addiction & substance use disorders

Addiction involves entrenched maladaptive memories — the cue-reward associations that drive craving and relapse. Ketamine may disrupt these memories through its effect on NMDA-dependent reconsolidation. At higher (sub-anesthetic but psychedelic-range) doses used in some addiction protocols, ketamine also produces a mystical or transformative experience that appears to shift motivational states, enhance self-efficacy, and facilitate psychological insight — effects studied in the context of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP). This dual neurobiological and psychological action is central to the emerging addiction model.

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What to expect — your treatment path

Careful addiction-specific clinical evaluation — candidacy is selective

Full substance use history, current use assessment, and medical screening

Coordination with addiction medicine, psychiatry, or counselling support

Structured integration therapy before and after infusions is essential

Abstinence monitoring and regular follow-up

Clear discussion of what ketamine can and cannot offer in this context

The evidence base

A landmark UK trial (Ketamine for Reduction of Alcohol Relapse — KARE, 2022, Krupitsky et al.) demonstrated that ketamine combined with mindfulness-based therapy significantly extended abstinence in alcohol use disorder compared to therapy alone. Studies in opioid-dependent patients and early work in cocaine dependence show promising signals. The field is actively evolving, with several large RCTs underway.

Common questions about ketamine for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Is ketamine safe for someone in recovery from addiction?

This requires careful individual assessment. Ketamine does carry misuse potential, and its use in individuals with addiction histories is approached with particular caution. We conduct thorough screening and do not offer ketamine to patients with active substance use disorders or a history of ketamine misuse.

Is this the same as "ketamine-assisted psychotherapy"?

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) is a specific model in which psychotherapy sessions are conducted during or immediately after ketamine administration, using the altered state to facilitate psychological work. We discuss the most appropriate model for each patient based on their clinical profile.

My addiction specialist referred me. What is the intake process?

Clinician referrals in this area are welcomed. We will liaise closely with your addiction specialist and any involved therapists throughout the process. Given the complexity of addiction presentations, a multi-disciplinary approach is standard for this patient group.

Ready to explore treatment for addiction & substance use disorders?

Our clinical team will review your history and answer your questions — confidentially and with no obligation.