Controlled ketamine dose ‘could’ treat alcoholism

A new type of therapy that uses the drug ketamine to “erase” drink-related memories could revolutionise how alcohol addiction is treated, scientists have said.

Ketamine may be “useful” as a treatment for alcoholism

Psychologists at University College London are testing the drug to see whether it can block or dismantle the memories that cause cravings and addictions.

Ravi Das, one of the lead researchers, told The Guardian: “There is evidence that it could be useful as a treatment for alcoholism.”

“Memories that you form can be hijacked by drugs in some people. If you were an alcoholic you might have a strong memory of being in a certain place and wanting to drink. Those memories get continuously triggered by things in the environment that you can’t avoid.”

In the UCL trial, the scientists will attempt to trigger alcohol-related memories by placing a glass of beer in front of the participants, who are all heavy drinkers. They will then disrupt the memory, by surprising the participants – how they do this has not been disclosed as it could bias the results.

The response of a volunteer’s brain to alcohol is measured before ketamine is given. Half the participants receive a saline placebo.

The team will follow up the people for a year and monitor whether their drinking has changed and by how much.

A total of 90 people are expected to take part in the trial and more than 50 have already taken part.

In April last year, a drug currently used to treat angina and high blood pressure has been proven to reduce binge drinking in an “internationally significant” breakthrough.