Ketamine Therapy for
Alcohol Use Disorder
Alcohol use disorder affects nearly 29 million people in the U.S., and 40–60% relapse within the first year of traditional treatment. Ketamine therapy may offer a new path to support recovery.
What is alcohol use disorder and how is it treated?
Alcohol use disorder (AUD), commonly known as alcohol addiction, is a chronic medical condition that affects a person’s ability to control their drinking despite negative consequences. Common signs include frequent binge drinking and continued alcohol use despite its impact on health, relationships, work, or school.
Approximately 28.9 million people aged 12 and older in the United States are affected by AUD. Traditional treatment typically involves a combination of behavioral therapy, medications, and support programs such as AA or rehabilitation. Recovery can be challenging and many individuals require ongoing support to maintain long-term sobriety.
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Clinical name
Major depressive disorder (MDD) or treatment-resistant depression (TRD) -
Prevalence
~8.2% of American adults -
Typical onset
Late teens to mid-20s -
Standard treatment
Psychotherapy & antidepressants -
Diagnostic criteria
Symptoms persisting most of the day, nearly every day, for at least two weeks -
Treatment gap
~30% of patients do not respond to at least two antidepressant medications.
- Frequent binge drinking
- Increased tolerance to alcohol
- Withdrawal symptoms (e.g., anxiety, nausea, sweating)
- Inability to reduce or control drinking
- Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home
- Continued use despite negative consequences
How ketamine treats alcohol use disorder
“For many patients, relief begins within hours of their first session — not weeks.”
Alcohol use disorder can make it very difficult to change drinking habits, even when someone wants to stop. Traditional medications focus on reducing cravings, while therapy helps build coping strategies. Ketamine works through a different neurochemical mechanism than standard medications. It increases the neurotransmitter glutamate, helping the brain form new connections and become more flexible. This makes it easier to shift habits and responses.
Early studies suggest ketamine, especially when combined with psychotherapy, may also support reduced cravings and longer periods of abstinence. These effects can begin soon after treatment.
For many patients, this creates a meaningful opportunity to break long-standing patterns and engage more fully in recovery.
- Glutamate
- NMDA receptor
- New pathways
- Onset of relief
- Primary mechanism
- Neuroplasticity effect
- Serotonin
- Dopamine
- Onset of relief
- Primary mechanism
- Neuroplasticity effect
The ketamine treatment process
01
Schedule free consultation
02
Begin treatment
03
During treatment
04
Regular sessions
Our physicians design a customized treatment plan for each patient. The induction period lasts 3–4 weeks and includes 6–8 sessions. Maintenance sessions are scheduled based on each patient’s needs.
What our patients are saying
Treatment options
We offer two evidence-based ketamine treatments: Spravato® nasal spray and IV ketamine infusions, both administered under medical supervision.
Spravato®
Esketamine nasal spray
- FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression
- Based on a ketamine derivative
- In-clinic treatment under physician supervision
- Insurance-covered
- Most patients pay $0–$50 per visit
IV ketamine
Intravenous ketamine infusion
- Treats depression, anxiety, PTSD, OCD, postpartum depression, AUD, and other mental health disorders.
- Available to patients not eligible for Spravato
- Delivered under physician supervision
- Self-pay treatment
- $500 per session
If you’re not sure, we’ll help you understand which option is right for you.
Research on ketamine therapy & alcohol use disorder
Below are several studies examining the effectiveness of ketamine in treating alcohol addiction. Ketamine-assisted therapy remains an active area of clinical research and continues to receive growing attention in both scientific literature and mainstream mental health media.
Ketamine Treatment for Alcohol
Ketamine Treatment for Alcohol Use Disorder: A Systematic Review
Adjunctive Ketamine With Relapse Prevention-Based Psychological Therapy in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder
Early evidence suggests that ketamine may be an effective treatment to sustain abstinence from alcohol.
Efficacy of ketamine intervention
to decrease alcohol use, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms in adults with problematic alcohol use or alcohol use disorder: A systematic review and comprehensive analysis of mechanism of actions.
FAQs
Ketamine therapy can help those with alcohol addiction by increasing glutamate activity in the brain and improving neuroplasticity. This can help interrupt habitual, stress‑driven patterns that fuel alcohol craving and relapse. Recent clinical studies have shown that ketamine combined with integrated psychiatric care can significantly extend periods of abstinence, especially when compared with psychotherapy alone.
A good candidate for ketamine therapy for alcohol use disorder (AUD) is someone who is motivated to reduce or stop drinking and who may benefit from ketamine’s ability to lower cravings, improve mood, and enhance engagement in therapy. Ketamine may be appropriate for individuals who:
- Struggle with cravings or relapse despite traditional treatments
- Have co-occurring depression, anxiety, or trauma, which often contribute to alcohol use
- Are engaged in or open to therapy or counseling
Insurance coverage for alcohol addiction and alcohol use disorder depends on the type of ketamine treatment you receive.
IV Ketamine is considered an off-label treatment, so most insurance plans do not cover it. Therefore, it is typically an out-of-pocket service. Superbills for patients to submit to insurance providers are available.
Not sure yet?
Explore the resources on our site to find out how ketamine treatment can help you heal.