Acute Subjective Experiences of Intravenous Ketamine Therapy Among Medically Hospitalized Patients with Alcohol Use Disorder

Abstract

Introduction:

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is widespread and problematic in the United States, and current pharmacotherapy options have relatively modest effects. Therefore, novel interventions such as ketamine therapy have gained interest as potentially efficacious options, known to generate unique psychotherapeutic experiences. The present secondary analysis examines the acute subjective experiences—both quantitatively and qualitatively—of clinical trial participants with AUD who received intravenous (IV) ketamine therapy in the hospital setting.

Materials and Methods:

Among a subset of inpatient clinical trial participants with AUD who received IV ketamine therapy (n = 12), acceptability and tolerability were assessed. Next, a brief directed content analysis was performed, utilizing textual data transcribed immediately after ketamine infusion. Six preselected themes from the literature were chosen to apply to our text.

Results:

Among this sample, IV ketamine therapy appeared well tolerated and highly acceptable (mean 9.5 on 0–10 Likert scale). The mean Clinician-Administered Dissociative States Scale (CADSS) score was 21.7 (out of max 92). It seemed to occasion experiences that were largely positive, transporting, visual, and meaningful. The most frequently assigned themes in our data set were “Meaningful, spiritual, and mystical experiences,” “Positive affect,” and “Inherent contradictions of the acute experience.”

Conclusions:

Prior themes derived from two theory-generating publications applied widely to our participants' reported experiences. The hospital setting itself did not appear to be a barrier in facilitating these experiences.