Breaking the Cycle: How Ketamine Therapy Supports Addiction Recovery

Addiction is a complex and deeply personal battle that affects both the brain and the body. Whether it’s opioids, alcohol, stimulants, or other substances, breaking free from addiction often requires more than just willpower. At Nervana Medical, we believe in treating the root of the issue—not just the symptoms—and that’s where ketamine therapy may offer new hope for patients struggling with addiction.

Understanding Addiction as a Brain-Based Disease

Addiction isn’t just a behavioral issue—it's a neurological condition. Repeated use of addictive substances rewires the brain’s reward system, particularly the dopamine pathway, making it harder to feel joy, motivation, or purpose without the substance. Over time, this dysregulation can contribute to:

Cravings
Depression and anxiety
Emotional numbness
Increased risk of relapse

Traditional treatment options, like therapy and medication-assisted treatment (MAT), can be life-changing—but for many people, they’re not enough on their own. This is where ketamine may fill a vital gap. A book we love that explains the way Dopamine works in addiction is: Dopamine Nation; You can find it on Amazon here: (Or it is also on Audible!)

Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence: Lembke, Dr. Anna: 9781524746742

How Ketamine Works for Addiction Recovery

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that, when used in controlled, sub-anesthetic doses, can profoundly affect the brain’s NMDA receptors and glutamate system—a key player in mood regulation, cognition, and learning/memory. It is also known to promote neuroplasticity, helping the brain form new, healthier connections.

Key Benefits of Ketamine for Addiction:

Reduces Cravings – By interrupting compulsive thought patterns and modulating glutamate transmission, ketamine may reduce the urge to use.Ketamine can weaken or erase drug-related memories and triggers, helping individuals break habitual patterns of substance use[1][2].
Eases Depression and Anxiety – Many addiction patients also suffer from co-occurring mood disorders. Ketamine offers fast-acting relief.
Supports Trauma Processing – Ketamine can open the door to deeper emotional healing, especially when combined with therapy. Ketamine may amplify the effectiveness of psychotherapy by inducing mystical experiences or altering neural networks[1].
Improves Neuroplasticity – It helps the brain "rewire" by forming new neural pathways that support long-term recovery. It enhances the brain's ability to rewire itself, potentially reducing cravings and improving motivation to quit drugs[3].
Prolonged Abstinence**: Studies indicate ketamine can increase abstinence rates for substances like alcohol, cocaine, and opioids, with effects lasting up to two years after treatment[4].

Ketamine as a Reset for the Brain

Think of ketamine as a "neurological reset"—helping break the deeply ingrained thought and behavioral loops that fuel addiction. Many patients report feeling emotionally clearer, more open to therapy, and less burdened by the shame, guilt, or trauma that often drives relapse.

It can be especially beneficial during:

Early recovery (when cravings and depression are strongest)
Treatment-resistant cases
Relapse prevention plans

Ketamine + Therapy = A Holistic Approach

At Nervana Medical, we emphasize integrative care. Ketamine works best when paired with ongoing support such as:

Trauma-informed therapy
Group or individual counseling
Mindfulness and somatic practices
Functional medicine and lifestyle optimization

We can help you create a care plan that addresses both your mental and physical health—including any nutritional, hormonal, or neurological imbalances that could be contributing to your addiction cycle.

Who Might Benefit?

Ketamine therapy may be appropriate for individuals who:

Struggle with opioid, alcohol, stimulant, or cannabis addiction
Have co-occurring depression, PTSD, or anxiety
Have not responded to traditional addiction treatment
Want a non-judgmental, medically guided support option

Hope Starts Here

Recovery is not about being perfect—it’s about getting support that helps you heal on every level. Ketamine therapy is not a cure for addiction, but for many, it’s a powerful catalyst for change—opening the door to meaningful recovery, reduced cravings, and emotional resilience.

Serving Patients Across Utah

Nervana Medical offers ketamine-assisted therapy in a safe, supportive, and medically-supervised environment. We serve patients across Sandy, Salt Lake City, Draper, Midvale, South Jordan, Cottonwood Heights, and the surrounding Utah areas.

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and see if ketamine is right for your recovery journey.

Sources

[1] Ketamine for the treatment of addiction: Evidence and potential ... https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29339294/

[2] Ketamine for Addiction | Bespoke Treatment https://bespoketreatment.com/blog/addiction-and-ketamine-how-ketamine-helps-with-addiction/

[3] Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Addiction in Brookfield & Mequon, WI https://www.randrmd.com/KetamineTreatments/Addiction

[4] Efficacy of Ketamine in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6094990/

[5] National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug, Alcohol Issues - SAMHSA https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline

[6] Ketamine for Addiction: What to Know - WebMD https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/ketamine-for-addiction-what-to-know

[7] How a Ketamine Infusion Can Offer Hope for Drug Abusers https://futurepsychsolutions.com/blog/how-a-ketamine-infusion-can-offer-hope-for-drug-abusers/

[8] Is ketamine addictive, and is it safe for depression? - UCHealth Today https://www.uchealth.org/today/ketamine-safety-is-it-addictive-does-it-help-with-depression/

PubMed

Ketamine for the treatment of addiction: Evidence and potential mechanisms - PubMed

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic drug which acts on the central nervous system chiefly through antagonism of the n-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Recently, ketamine has attracted attention as a rapid-acting anti-depressant but other studies have also reported its efficacy in reducing prob …

Ketamine for the treatment of addiction: Evidence and potential mechanisms - PubMed

Bespoke Treatment

Ketamine for Addiction | Bespoke Treatment

Ketamine in addiction treatment. Understand how it helps rewire the brain, reducing dependency on alcohol & other substances

randrmd.com

Ketamine Infusion Therapy & Treatment Clinic in Milwaukee & Waukesha

R and R MD is a ketamine infusion therapy clinic in Brookfield, WI. Contact us today for an initial consultation! (66 kB)

Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Addiction in Brookfield & Mequon, WI | Reset Restore MD

PubMed Central (PMC)

Efficacy of Ketamine in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review

Background: Despite advances in behavioral and pharmacotherapy interventions, substance use disorders (SUDs) are frequently refractory to treatment. Glutamatergic dysregulation has received increasing attention as one common neuropathology across ... (174 kB)

Efficacy of Ketamine in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review - PMC

samhsa.gov

National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug, Alcohol Issues

SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. (64 kB)

National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug, Alcohol Issues | SAMHSA