Ketamine in the treatment of cocaine use disorders
Ronaldo Cascelli Schelb Scalla Pereira, Emanuelle Emília Ferreira Parreiras, Davi Cascelli Schelb Scalla Pereira, João Eduardo Cascelli Schelb Scalla Pereira, Thaila Vidal de Oliveira, Leonardo de Paula Junqueira, Valdinei Godinho Pereira, Marcelo Barcellos da Rosa, Tiago Ricardo Moreira, Marilane de Oliveira Fani Amaro, Bruno David Henriques, Camilo Amaro de Carvalho
Ciência e Natura May 20, 2021 DOI: 10.5902/2179460x44077 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA single administration of ketamine increased motivation for change in people with stimulant use disorders, particularly cocaine and its byproducts, without worsening mental health. Motivation was measured with the URICA scale and psychiatric symptoms with the EAS-40 score before and after the intervention. After ketamine, the Readiness Score means rose, indicating greater motivation, and the Global Severity Index showed a slight reduction in psychiatric symptoms. The improvement was quick and lasting, suggesting ketamine's safety and potential benefit for treating stimulant use disorders.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Intervention study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | People with stimulant use disorders (cocaine and its byproducts) |
| Intervention | Ketamine |
| Topics | Ketamine |
| Keywords | Intervention counseling Stimulant Antidepressant Medicine |
| Key finding | A single dose of ketamine increased motivation for change and slightly reduced psychiatric symptoms in people with stimulant use disorders. |
Abstract
Introduction: ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic and, recently, its antidepressant properties has been described. Besides, its safety has been proven in the treatment of Stimulant Use Disorders. Objective: to evaluate the use of ketamine in the treatment of Stimulant Use Disorders (specially cocaine and its byproducts). Methods: patient's motivation for change was measured by URICA scale and psychiatric symptoms by EAS-40 score, both before and after the intervention. Results: it was verified, after the comparison between the Readiness Score means, an increase in the motivation for change after ketamine’s single administration, when compared to the moments before and after the intervention. Analyzing the Global Severity Index before and after ketamine administration, by EAS-40 score, we noticed a slight reduction of the psychiatric symptoms before and after the intervention. Conclusion: it was proven that ketamine's single administration led to a quick and lasting improvement on the user's motivation without worsening the mental health status.