06 Jun New Study Shows Ketamine Therapy Dramatically Decreases Relapse Rates in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

New Study Shows Ketamine Therapy Dramatically Decreases Relapse Rates in Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)  

A Phase II Clinical A/B trial conducted by the Awakn Life Sciences Corp. through the University of Exeter found some interesting results when it comes to using Ketamine-Assisted Therapy to help treat Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD).

The study, led by Professor Celia Morgan, the Head of Ketamine-Assisted Therapy for Addiction at Awakn and Professor of Psychopharmacology at UoE, was a double-blind placebo study that included 96 participants – 35 women and 61 men – who suffered from severe AUD. 

The findings of the study will pave the way for future studies on Ketamine-Assisted Therapy for those suffering from addiction problems.

About Awakn

Awakn Life Sciences is a biotechnology organization that is working to develop and deliver therapeutic psychedelic treatments (medicines and therapies) to help people overcome addiction. 

Awakn’s team consists of world-renowned scientists, chemists, psychologists, and psychiatrists who are working to discover and advance the next generation of psychedelic pharmaceuticals, therapies and enabling technologies for addiction treatment. 

These evidence-based psychedelic therapies will be delivered by Awakn in clinics across the UK and Europe, as well as through licensing relationships around the world.

The Study

The study took place over a span of four weeks. The first three weeks consisted of the infusions, whether Ketamine or saline, and two 1.5-hour therapy (or alcohol education) sessions – one immediately after the infusion, and the second 24 hours after. During the fourth week, the Ketamine or saline was administered, but only a single 1.5-hour therapy session ensued, 24 hours after infusion.

The results of the Phase II Clinical A/B trial showed that Ketamine-Assisted Therapy combined with KARE therapy culminated in total abstinence from alcohol in 162 of 180 days over the ensuing 6-month period, resulting in an increase in alcohol abstinence from roughly 2% prior to the study to 86% after the trial. 

The results for relapse at the 6-month mark showed that the participants in the Ketamine + KARE group had a 2.7 times lower probability of relapse than those in the placebo plus alcohol education group.

Professor Morgan said the trial helped to discover even more noteworthy outcomes in the reduction of the participants’ heavy drinking days following the trial. The Ketamine-Assisted Therapy plus KARE group had an average of 12 days that they spent drinking heavily after the experiment ended; this is a significant drop compared to prior trials in this field, and it’s believed that real-world data is significantly higher. 

There was also a considerable reduction in the mortality risk of the participants in the KARE group. Without treatment, roughly 1 in 8 participants would have died within a year. After treatment, that number dropped to 1 in 80.

According to Professor Morgan, “Alcohol Use Disorder is a pervasive and persistent public health issue, affecting at least 390 million people globally. Treatment rates are low and relapse rates post-treatment tend to be high. We urgently need new and more effective treatments. We found that controlled, low doses of Ketamine, combined with manualized psychological therapy can significantly increase post-treatment abstinence rates. This is extremely encouraging, as we normally see three out of four people returning to heavy drinking within twelve months of treatment. The data we’ve collected from this study paves the way for a paradigm shift in how AUD is treated.”

With so many people suffering from AUD on a global scale, a clinical trial with positive outcomes such as the one conducted by Awakn Life Sciences Corp. opens wide the doors for more research to be conducted. In fact, as of this writing, Awakn is preparing to take their study to Phase III. 

If Ketamine-Assisted Therapy can save the lives of 79 out of 80 AUD sufferers, then it’s clear that this treatment option not only requires more testing but also deserves it. 

If you’re struggling with AUD and live in the Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, or the greater Southwest Florida area and are interested in learning more about our unique approach to Ketamine Therapy, then please email (info@myselfwellness.center) or call (239-908-9958) our Bonita Springs clinic today.  

You can read the original study on their official website.