A single injection of ketamine substantially cuts alcohol consumption among heavy drinkers, possibly by interrupting the ‘reward memories’ pathway, researchers say. 

Drinkers given just one dose of IV ketamine at a critical time — straight after looking at pictures of beers and expecting a drink — showed a raft of changes at follow-up 10 days later.

Their weekly  alcohol consumption had fallen by nearly a quarter, they drank on four days, rather than six, in a week, and showed less urge to drink a beer when it was put in front of them.

Intravenous ketamine straight after the retrieval of alcohol reward memories disrupted memory consolidation and led to reduced drinking levels, the UK researchers say.