Lifelong Learning: A Single Ketamine Infusion Combined With Mindfulness-Based Behavioral Modification to Treat Cocaine Dependence: A Randomized Clinical Trial-View Article

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A randomized clinical trial examined the effects of a single ketamine infusion in combination with mindfulness-based behavioral modification on cocaine dependence. Fifty-five cocaine-dependent individuals were randomly assigned to receive either a ketamine infusion or a midazolam infusion (control group) during a 5-day inpatient stay, during which they also started a 5-week course of mindfulness-based relapse prevention. The primary outcomes measured were end-of-study abstinence and time to relapse. <br /><br />The results showed that 48.2% of individuals in the ketamine group maintained abstinence during the last two weeks of the trial, compared to 10.7% in the midazolam group. The ketamine group also had a 53% lower likelihood of relapse compared to the control group. Craving scores were 58.1% lower in the ketamine group throughout the trial. The ketamine infusions were well tolerated, with no adverse events leading to participant removal from the study. <br /><br />These findings suggest that a single ketamine infusion, when combined with mindfulness-based behavioral modification, can improve treatment outcomes in cocaine-dependent adults. The study highlights the potential of ketamine as a pharmacotherapy for cocaine use disorder and the need for further research to replicate these results in a larger sample.

Keywords

randomized clinical trial

ketamine infusion

mindfulness-based behavioral modification

cocaine dependence

midazolam infusion

control group

mindfulness-based relapse prevention

abstinence

time to relapse

craving scores