How can Ketamine help with Alcohol /Opiate Withdrawal?

Ketamine is not a treatment for Alcoholism or Substance Abuse. However, Ketamine has shown to make the withdrawal of these substances a much smoother process. We require our patients to go through a detox program prior to receiving Ketamine therapy or we work with your narcotics Provider to help taper down your opiate usage. Ketamine binds to all types of Opioid receptors and is an NDMA receptor antagonist. The NMDA receptor is what is thought to modulate pain. By blocking the transmission of signals, pain is reduced. Ketamine is also a great adjunct for withdrawal for lack of respiratory suppression, rapid onset, anti-seizure activity, and ability to control acute agitation.