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Single Versus Repeated Sessions of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for People with Heroin Dependence

Evgeny Krupitsky, Andrei M. Burakov, Igor Dunaevsky, Tatyana N. Romanova, T. Y. Slavina, Alexander Grinenko

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 1, 2007 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2007.10399860 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Randomized controlled trial Peer reviewed
Sample size 59
Population Detoxified inpatients with heroin dependence
Intervention Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy
Duration One-year follow-up
Topics Addiction Anxiety Esketamine Ketamine Psychedelic-assisted therapy
Keywords Abstinence Craving Heroin Placebo Group psychotherapy Randomized controlled trial Clinical psychology Psychotherapist Drug Alternative medicine
Citations 176
Key findings Three sessions of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy led to a significantly higher rate of abstinence at one-year follow-up than a single session.

Abstract

A prior study found that one ketamine-assisted psychotherapy session was significantly more effective than active placebo in promoting abstinence (Krupitsky et al. 2002). In this study of the efficacy of single versus repeated sessions of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in promoting abstinence in people with heroin dependence, 59 detoxified inpatients with heroin dependence received a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KPT) session prior to their discharge from an addiction treatment hospital, and were then randomized into two treatment groups. Participants in the first group received two addiction counseling sessions followed by two KPT sessions, with sessions scheduled on a monthly interval (multiple KPT group). Participants in the second group received two addiction counseling sessions on a monthly interval, but no additional ketamine therapy sessions (single KPT group). At one-year follow-up, survival analysis demonstrated a significantly higher rate of abstinence in the multiple KPT group. Thirteen out of 26 subjects (50%) in the multiple KPT group remained abstinent, compared to 6 out of 27 subjects (22.2%) in the single KPT group (p < 0.05). No differences between groups were found in depression, anxiety, craving for heroin, or their understanding of the meaning of their lives. It was concluded that three sessions of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy are more effective than a single session for the treatment of heroin addiction.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for 3 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

  • State of the evidence: Ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy Supports

    Three KAP sessions yielded 50% one-year abstinence versus 22.2% after a single session, with no group differences in depression, anxiety, or craving.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: Ketamine for addiction Supports

    Three ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sessions gave higher one-year abstinence (50% vs 22.2%) than a single session, with no group differences in depression, anxiety, or craving.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: Ketamine for anxiety No effect

    Repeated versus single ketamine-assisted psychotherapy sessions did not differ on anxiety, depression, or craving, though the multiple-session group had higher one-year abstinence.

    Synthesized

Comparable studies

Other randomized controlled trials on ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Ketamine psychotherapy for heroin addiction: immediate effects and two-year follow-up. Detoxified heroin-addicted patients 2002 Randomized controlled trial n = 70
Psychotherapy for Ketamine's Enhanced Durability in Chronic Neuropathic Pain: Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Patients with chronic neuropathic pain at the Chronic Pain Clinic, St. Michael's... 2024 Pilot randomized controlled trial n = 30
Neuroimaging correlates and predictors of response to repeated-dose intravenous ketamine in PTSD: preliminary evidence Participants with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 2021 Randomized clinical trial n = 21
Ketamine assisted psychotherapy to reduce chronic neuropathic pain: A mixed-methods randomized pilot trial. 2026 Mixed-methods randomized pilot trial

Citations in the library

Cited by 126

and 121 more in the library

Cites 5

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Addiction Anxiety Esketamine Ketamine Psychedelic-assisted therapy Depression

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