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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)

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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.

Comparable studies

Other case reports and case series on ketamine and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in adolescents with multiple psychiatric diagnoses. Adolescents aged 14–19 with comorbid psychiatric diagnoses including... 2023 Case series n = 4
Case report: Adult with bipolar disorder and autism treated with ketamine assisted psychotherapy. A 29-year-old man with bipolar disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and type 2 diabetes 2024 Case study n = 1
Reconnecting through dissociation: a 5-month follow-up case study on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for anorexia nervosa. Female patient in her late twenties with anorexia nervosa and comorbid depression 2025 Case report n = 1
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Co-occurring Borderline Personality Disorder and Depression: A Case Study. A patient with co-occurring borderline personality disorder and depression 2025 Case study n = 1
Qualitative analysis of a patient's experience of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for substance use disorder: Empirical synergies with twelve-step programs 28-year-old female treated for alcohol and opioid use disorder 2025 Case study n = 1

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