Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Antisocial Personality Disorder: A Case Report.
Matthew Hicks, Heather Zwickey, Ryan Bradley
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 7, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2449911 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | 43-year-old man with antisocial personality disorder, alcoholism, and depression |
| Intervention | Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy |
| Dose | low dose (psycholytic) |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Topics | Ketamine Esketamine Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Antisocial personality disorder Case report Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy Mental health treatment Addiction recovery Case studies |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, with additional precautions, led to resolution of severe alcoholism, reduction in violent thoughts, and decreased depression symptoms in a patient with antisocial personality disorder. |
Abstract
There are currently no evidence-based treatment guidelines for antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Instead, treatment typically focuses on comorbid conditions. There is currently no literature documenting cases or research, theoretical or otherwise of using ketamine-assisted therapy or any other psychedelic therapy in cases of ASPD. In this case report, a 43-year-old man seeking ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) for alcoholism and depression was diagnosed with comorbid antisocial personality disorder. A series of psycholytic (low dose) ketamine therapy sessions and other integrative approaches over the course of 3 years results in resolution of severe alcoholism, reduction in violent thoughts about people and the world, and a reduction in depression symptoms. With additional precautions, utilizing a ketamine-assisted psychotherapy approach led to clinical improvements in depression, alcohol abuse, and ASPD traits.