Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Substance Use Disorders

Using Ketamine to Support Addiction Recovery in Cleveland & Beachwood

A New Option for Breaking the Cycle of Substance Use

Substance use disorder is a complex condition that affects millions. For many in Cleveland, Beachwood, and Northeast Ohio, standard treatments help but may not be enough to overcome intense cravings, withdrawal, and relapse. At CarePoint Infusion, we offer ketamine infusion therapy as an evidence-based option to treat substance use disorders—including alcohol, opioid, and cocaine use—when combined with psychotherapy and ongoing recovery support.

Ketamine works differently from traditional addiction medications. At low doses, it can rapidly reduce cravings and depressive symptoms and support neuroplasticity, creating a window where therapy and new coping skills can take hold. It is not a stand-alone cure; it is most effective as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.

How Ketamine May Help Treat Substance Use Disorders

Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist that modulates the brain’s glutamate system. Research suggests it may support addiction recovery in several ways:

Enhances Neuroplasticity

The brain’s ability to form new connections can be strengthened by ketamine, creating a period when new habits and coping skills are more likely to “stick.”

Reduces Cravings

Studies report reduced cravings and self-administration for alcohol, opioids, and cocaine in some patients when ketamine is combined with therapy.

Rapid Mood and Hopelessness Relief

Ketamine often produces a fast reduction in depressive symptoms and hopelessness, which commonly drive relapse.

Supports Deeper Psychological Work

The altered state during treatment can support deeper psychological work when paired with skilled therapy (Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, or KAP).

For these reasons, clinical protocols typically use ketamine together with structured psychotherapy—such as motivational enhancement or relapse-prevention therapy—rather than by itself.

What the Research Shows

Evidence for using ketamine to treat substance use disorders is still evolving but promising. Key findings by condition:

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

A 2022 Phase 2 trial (Grabski et al., Am J Psychiatry. 2022;179(2):152-162) of 96 people with severe AUD found that three IV ketamine infusions (0.8 mg/kg over 40 minutes) plus therapy led to more days abstinent and fewer relapses at 6 months than control conditions. A 2023 systematic review of 11 studies (854 adults) concluded that ketamine, especially combined with psychotherapy, showed favorable results for abstinence and reduced alcohol consumption.

Efficacy: Days of Abstinence

The primary challenge in treating AUD is maintaining sobriety after detox. The study found that patients receiving ketamine infusions combined with therapy had a significantly higher percentage of days abstinent over the 6-month follow-up period compared to the placebo group.

Key finding: The odds of relapse were significantly lower in the ketamine group, suggesting a powerful biological "reset" effect.

Source: Grabski et al. (2022). Am J Psychiatry.

Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

A 2025 scoping review (Shen et al., Front Psychiatry. 2025;16:1552084) and other research on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for heroin dependence have reported higher abstinence rates with repeated sessions compared to a single treatment. Ketamine may also help manage withdrawal and support transition to non-opioid medications (e.g., naltrexone) in some protocols.

Cocaine Use Disorder (CUD)

In a randomized clinical trial (Dakwar et al., Am J Psychiatry. 2019;176(11):923-930), a single ketamine infusion plus mindfulness-based therapy led to significantly more abstinence and lower relapse risk compared to a control. Craving scores were substantially lower in the ketamine group. There is no FDA-approved medication for cocaine use disorder; ketamine is being studied as a potential option.

Overall, reviews emphasize that ketamine plus psychotherapy may help promote abstinence and reduce use in alcohol and cocaine use disorders, but data remain limited and protocols are still being refined. Using ketamine to treat substance use disorders is an off-label use and should be part of an individualized, comprehensive care plan.

Who Might Be a Candidate?

Ketamine-assisted treatment for substance use disorders may be considered for adults who:

  • Have alcohol, opioid, or substance use disorder and have not had adequate response to standard treatments (counseling, support groups, first-line medications).
  • Are engaged in ongoing addiction treatment and motivated to work on recovery and behavior change.
  • Do not have medical or psychiatric conditions that would make ketamine unsafe (e.g., uncontrolled hypertension, certain heart conditions, active psychosis).

A thorough medical and psychiatric evaluation is required before starting. At CarePoint Infusion, we typically coordinate with your addiction medicine or psychiatry provider so ketamine is integrated with your existing care—medication-assisted treatment, therapy, and community support—when appropriate.

We use ketamine as a tool within comprehensive care, not a stand-alone cure: ketamine plus structured therapy (KAP) tends to yield the best outcomes.

1
Assessment

Medical and substance-use history, current treatments, labs as needed, and informed consent.

2
Coordination

Alignment with your therapist, addiction specialist, or primary care provider.

3
Infusions

Low-dose IV ketamine in a quiet, monitored setting with continuous vital-sign monitoring.

4
Integration

Sessions soon after each infusion to process insights and reinforce relapse-prevention strategies.

5
Follow-up

Ongoing monitoring of symptoms, cravings, and mood; booster infusions when appropriate.

Medically Supervised in Beachwood

All ketamine infusions at CarePoint are delivered in a medically supervised setting with continuous monitoring, careful screening, and coordination with your existing providers. This team-based approach is designed to maximize benefit while reducing risks such as dissociation or blood pressure changes.

Important Limitations and Safety

Ketamine is not a replacement for comprehensive addiction treatment, medication-assisted therapy (e.g., naltrexone, buprenorphine, methadone), or counseling and peer support. It may enhance these approaches by improving mood, reducing cravings, and supporting engagement in therapy.

  • Treatment is always supervised by medical staff experienced with ketamine infusion.
  • Patients are screened for history of dissociative misuse, cardiovascular disease, uncontrolled hypertension, pregnancy, or unstable psychiatric illness.
  • Unsupervised at-home ketamine use is not recommended for people with substance use disorders due to risks of misuse and overdose.

Because this is an off-label, evolving area of care, we emphasize shared decision-making, clear discussion of benefits and unknowns, and close collaboration with your broader treatment team.

Explore our other infusion services: Ketamine for depression and chronic pain, IVIG therapy, and all services.

Serving Northeast Ohio Communities

CarePoint Infusion Center is your trusted provider for ketamine infusion therapy to treat substance use disorders throughout Northeast Ohio. We're conveniently located in Beachwood to serve patients from Cleveland and communities across Cuyahoga County. Whether you're searching for "ketamine for substance use disorder" in Cleveland, addiction recovery support in Beachwood OH, or ketamine-assisted therapy anywhere in Northeast Ohio, we're here to help.

We conveniently serve patients from:

Cleveland Beachwood Hudson Solon Westlake Shaker Heights University Heights Lyndhurst South Euclid Mayfield Heights Warrensville Heights Orange Village Pepper Pike Chagrin Falls Akron Canton Youngstown

And throughout Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio. Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation for ketamine-assisted treatment in Beachwood or Cleveland, Ohio.

Part of a Full Recovery Plan

Ketamine works best alongside therapy, support groups, and—when indicated—other medications. We integrate with your existing addiction and mental health team to support long-term recovery.

Take the First Step

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance use and standard treatments have not been enough, ketamine-assisted therapy may be an option. Contact CarePoint Infusion to schedule a confidential consultation and learn whether this approach fits your recovery plan.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Ketamine for substance use disorders is an off-label use. Consult a qualified healthcare provider to determine if this treatment is appropriate for you. Individual results vary.