For many people with psychiatric disorders, it oftentimes may seem that there is no way out. From illnesses like depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) to alcoholism, there are treatments that do not always work for every patient. Ketamine treatment can be a wonderful alternative for these people and offer a much higher quality of life. But because this treatment has had less than reputable uses in the past, some may be skeptical about using it for treatment for addictive disorders. Still, if you are able to view the treatment as relief-seeking treatment as opposed to drug-seeking, this may be for you! Keep reading to learn more about the validity of the treatment and the ketamine experience.
What is Ketamine Treatment?
Ketamine is an FDA-approved medication that is mainly used for starting and maintaining anesthesia, but it has served other purposes as both a recreational and medicinal drug. When ketamine first began receiving attention, it was most well-known as a party drug. Despite the drug’s unsavory start, researchers found that it could prove useful as a way to manage chronic pain and psychiatric disorders like severe depression, anxiety, and OCD, and even alcoholism. The same side effects that make the medication enjoyable as a recreational drug are the same reasons that make it beneficial for these kinds of mental disorders.
The Uses of Ketamine
Ketamine infusion has many uses, especially for the management of treatment-resistant depression, OCD, anxiety, or alcoholism. Treating depression and other depressive disorders varies case by case, so exploring this unconventional method may be a good next step when nothing else has worked. Treatment recommendations include adults with moderate to severe depression, individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder, or those diagnosed with personality disorders. You may be a good candidate for ketamine if you:
- Have had no success with traditional treatments
- Have chronic pain
- Suffer from depression
- Suffer from anxiety
- Have an addictive disorder like alcoholism or other substance abuse
It is important to note that the selection of appropriate candidates requires careful consideration and proof of previous traditional antidepressants or treatment attempts. Ketamine should only ever be considered after standard treatments have failed or if the side-effects are too severe. Because the drug can be abused for recreational purposes, it should be the last resort for the treatment of chronic pain management.
The Ketamine Experience – What It Feels Like
When used for recreational purposes, many people report that the drug elicits an intense out-of-body experience. Other symptoms may include:
- Feelings of detachment or dissociation from the body or surroundings
- Panic
- Anxiety
- Confusion
- Paranoia
These extreme symptoms are very uncommon if the drug is administered by a licensed professional. When used for medical purposes, any side effects the patient may feel are usually short-lived and very mild.
Risks to be Aware of
Ketamine infusions can be life-changing in a very positive way for sufferers of treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders. However, like everything in life, there can be some negative side-effects that people considering different treatment options should be made aware of. Here are some common side-effects:
- High blood pressure
- Nausea and vomiting
- Perceptual disturbances or disorientation (patients may complain of time seeming to speed up or slow down. Certain colors, textures, and noises may be more stimulating and vision may be temporarily blurred.)
- Out of body experiences
In higher doses, the drug may have strong hallucinogenic effects. These symptoms are usually only very noticeable during the first infusion and are over very quickly after the treatment is completed. Even at very high doses, the side effects of ketamine are less severe than they are for traditional antidepressants.
Mindscape Ketamine & Infusion Therapy Can Help Set You Free
At Mindscape Ketamine and Infusion Therapy, we know that not one size fits all. If you have had problems finding relief with other traditional treatments for psychiatric disorders, ketamine might just be your saving grace. At our facilities, we are able to provide affordable, concierge treatments to people suffering from all kinds of treatment-resistant disorders. If you want to know more about the ketamine experience and how it can benefit you, contact us today. We want to make sure that you receive the best treatment possible so that you can achieve a better quality of life.