This interventional, randomised pilot feasibility study (n=44, age 18-65) aims to assess the potential of single-dose interventions (including ketamine) in reducing re-admissions for hospitalised patients with severe alcohol use disorder (AUD).
Randomised, parallel-group pilot assessing single-dose XR naltrexone (380 mg IM) or IV ketamine (0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes) versus enhanced linkage alone among hospitalised patients with severe AUD to evaluate feasibility and 30-day readmission.
Feasibility outcomes include recruitment rate, patient acceptability, post-discharge follow-up rate, and adverse events; the study will estimate 30-day re-admission rates to inform a future comparative effectiveness trial.
Single pre-discharge injection of extended-release naltrexone plus enhanced linkage to follow-up addiction care.
XR naltrexone 380 mg injection prior to discharge
Enhanced linkage to care (in-hospital intake at outpatient addiction clinic plus contingency management)
Single pre-discharge IV ketamine infusion (0.5 mg/kg over 40 minutes) plus enhanced linkage to follow-up addiction care.
0.5 mg/kg infusion over 40 minutes prior to discharge
Enhanced linkage to care (in-hospital intake at outpatient addiction clinic plus contingency management)
Enhanced linkage to follow-up addiction care without single-dose medication prior to discharge.
Enhanced linkage to care (in-hospital intake at outpatient addiction clinic plus contingency management)