Incorporating Relapse Prevention
Given the importance of relapse prevention in the treatment of substance use disorders and its prevalence in the literature on the application of ketamine-assisted therapy for substance use disorders, we would also like to emphasize the important role of relapse prevention education and tools for clients seeking psychedelic-assisted therapy for the treatment of their substance use.
Health professionals providing psychedelic-assisted therapy to clients with substance use problems and disorders are strongly encouraged to be informed on how to provide relapse prevention education and tools to their clients. The provision of such education and tools may be relevant during Preparation or Integration Sessions to assist clients in making and sustaining changes to their substance use behaviours.
Health professionals providing psychedelic-assisted therapy to clients with substance use problems and disorders are strongly encouraged to be informed on how to provide relapse prevention education and tools to their clients. The provision of such education and tools may be relevant during Preparation or Integration Sessions to assist clients in making and sustaining changes to their substance use behaviours.
To learn more about relapse prevention tools and resources for individuals, please visit these links:
Note
A few of the studies referenced earlier on ketamine-assisted therapy in the treatment of substance use disorders also utilize relapse prevention as a central part of their therapeutic approach (Dakwar et al 2019; Azhari et al 2021; Grabski et al 2022).
References
Azhari, N., Hu, H., O'Malley, K. Y., Blocker, M. E., Levin, F. R., & Dakwar, E. (2021). Ketamine-facilitated behavioral treatment for cannabis use disorder: A proof of concept study. The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse, 47(1), 92–97.
Dakwar, E., Nunes, E. V., Hart, C. L., Foltin, R. W., Mathew, S. J., Carpenter, K. M., Choi, C. J. J., Basaraba, C. N., Pavlicova, M., & Levin, F. R. (2019). A Single Ketamine Infusion Combined With Mindfulness-Based Behavioral Modification to Treat Cocaine Dependence: A Randomized Clinical Trial. The American journal of psychiatry, 176(11), 923–930.
Grabski, M., McAndrew, A., Lawn, W., . . . Morgan, C. J. A., (2022). Adjunctive Ketamine With Relapse Prevention–Based Psychological Therapy in the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder. American Journal of Psychiatry, 179(2), 152-162.