Addressing Ketamine Addiction: What is the Real Risk?
The recent passing of Matthew Perry has stirred up many conversations, especially regarding the addiction potential of ketamine in and out of the clinical setting.
For those concerned about ketamine addiction, it’s important to understand the difference between its recreational misuse and its medical use in controlled and medically monitored clinical settings. Ketamine, when administered in safe, supervised environments has shown immense benefits for treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain.
While recreational use of ketamine has been linked to addiction, the way ketamine is used for mental health concerns is drastically different. In medical settings, small, therapeutic doses of ketamine are administered under supervision, usually alongside therapy and holistic mental health treatments, to help heal people with depression or trauma who haven’t responded well to other treatments. These doses are carefully monitored, and the risk of addiction in these settings is very low.
It’s also important to know that clinics offering ketamine-assisted psychotherapy are not handing out ketamine prescriptions without appropriate follow-up (at least the ones I associate with). These clinics provide full-service care, including integration counseling, to help patients process their emotions and experiences after receiving ketamine. Clinics like this are very cautious, ensuring that ketamine is used responsibly as part of a larger treatment plan. This holistic approach helps reduce the risk of dependency.
That said, concerns about addiction come mainly from non-clinical, recreational use. People who use ketamine in high doses for self-healing or recreation, often without medical guidance, can develop a dependence on the drug. In these cases, people can become addicted to the dissociative, euphoric effects, leading to tolerance, needing higher doses to produce the desired effect.
If you or someone you know has concerns about ketamine but is also exploring alternative treatments for mental health issues like depression or trauma, it’s understandable to feel concerned and need more information before making an informed decision. It’s worth noting that in clinical environments, ketamine is treated as a powerful medication with potential for healing but also in need of responsible handling and use. Professionals who offer ketamine infusion therapy or psychedelic healing are specially trained to use ketamine safely, making it a valuable treatment option when other methods haven’t worked.
If you or a loved one is considering ketamine therapy, talking to a doctor about concerns surrounding addiction and ensuring the therapy is done in a reputable clinic can alleviate most worries.
While ketamine does have a potential for addiction when misused, its clinical use is generally safe. For those suffering from treatment-resistant conditions like depression or PTSD, ketamine has offered life-changing relief and, when used responsibly in places like Portland holistic mental health clinics, the risk of addiction is minimal.
References
Morgan CJ, Curran HV. Ketamine use: a review. Addiction. 2012;107(1):27-38.
Schak KM, Vande Voort JL, Johnson EK, et al. Potential risks of poorly monitored ketamine use in depression treatment. Lancet Psychiatry. 2016;3(7):662-663.
Zhang MW, Ho RC. Ketamine’s efficacy in treating depression and its potential for addiction. BMJ. 2016;352.
Dore J, Turnipseed B, Dwyer S, et al. Ketamine therapy for depression in real-world care: Treatment outcomes, dosing, and safety. J Affect Disord. 2019;247:56-61.
Krystal JH, Sanacora G, Duman RS. Ketamine: a paradigm shift for depression research and treatment. Neuron. 2019;101(5):774-778.
Written by Dr. Lindsay Wilkinson ND, LAc
Dr. Lindsay Wilkinson, ND, is a compassionate naturopathic doctor dedicated to empowering her patients to achieve optimal health and well-being. With a focus on integrative medicine, she combines evidence-based treatments with holistic approaches to address a wide range of health concerns. Dr. Wilkinson's passion lies in guiding her patients toward balanced wellness through personalized care and support.