Dakwar E, Levin F, Hart, CL, et al. - Researchers conducted this pilot study with the aim to determine if a single subanesthetic infusion of ketamine administered to adults with alcohol dependence and engaged in motivational enhancement therapy affects drinking outcomes. They randomized participants to a 52-minute intravenous administration of ketamine (0.71 mg/kg, N = 17) or the active control midazolam (0.025 mg/kg, N = 23), provided during the second week of a 5-week outpatient regimen of motivational enhancement therapy. Participants (N = 40; mean age: 53 years; 70.3% white) were largely employed (71.8%) and consumed an average of five drinks per day prior to entering the study. Outcomes revealed an improvement in measures of drinking in these persons in correlation to the receipt of a single ketamine infusion. These preliminary data offer new directions in combined pharmacotherapy-behavioral treatments for alcohol use disorder.