What Is a Ketamine Therapy Session Like?

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine infusion therapy is a groundbreaking antidepressant used to help those struggling with treatment-resistant depression (TRD), posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depressive and mood disorders, and severe drug and alcohol addictions. Through twice-weekly infusion treatments, patients will begin to feel the stabilizing effects.

Ketamine is used for pain management, and while it is not a first-line treatment for depressive disorders, it is becoming increasingly recognized and used for its fast-acting effects. Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can lift you out of a depressive state and relieve chronic depression. 

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, call WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab today at (877) 640-7820 to learn how we can help.

How Is Ketamine Used in Therapy

Ketamine-assisted therapy can be administered/prescribed in two different ways for those who qualify. The two main types of ketamine therapy include:

1. Ketamine infusion therapy (Drip IV)
2. Nasal spray (Spravato) – FDA-approved

The effects of ketamine can be felt just after one session, according to patients. Patients who have undergone the process report feeling immediate antidepressant effects. Once several doses of ketamine are administered over one month, patients’ symptoms appear to have dissipated almost entirely—a life-changing experience for many individuals and their families. 

The proper method of ketamine administration will be recommended to you once an in-depth patient assessment has taken place. This process will help determine the dosage and the length of time the patients should undergo the therapy.

What to Expect in a Ketamine Therapy Session

During a ketamine infusion therapy session, patients will be hooked up to a drip IV for approximately one hour. Through intramuscular injection, a steady drip will be administered to the patient throughout the therapy session. A medical director will monitor the patient throughout the infusion treatments to ensure they respond well to the dosage being administered. Lower doses may be administered gradually throughout the month-long therapy. After just a single ketamine session, patients can feel the benefits of this highly-effective, groundbreaking therapy. For patients who haven’t found relief from other forms of treatment, they can finally feel comfort, ease, and reassurance. 

Ketamine therapy is genuinely unique in that it works to repair damaged neurotransmitters in the brain. Standardized methods of treating severe depression and treatment-resistant depression often apply a ‘band-aid’ method to treatment where the medication simply numbs the symptoms of the condition. Ketamine therapy sets itself apart from standardized forms of addiction and mental illness treatment and is on its way to becoming a first-line of treatment.

What Does Ketamine Therapy Treat?

Psychedelic assisted therapy, as ketamine therapy is often referred to as can treat several different conditions, including:

• Treatment-resistant depression (TRD)
• Depression and anxiety
• Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Severe depression
• Chronic pain

Ketamine therapy may be recommended for those who have tried traditional pharmaceuticals before without success. With a rapid onset of effects and almost immediately lessened symptoms of depressive disorders, those who are at a loss of what to do about their conditions can find solace. 

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Ketamine Therapy at WhiteSands

WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Rehab offers ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for those struggling with severe underlying mental illness and addiction. Therapy costs will be discussed once an in-depth patient assessment has been completed. Intake sessions include taking the individual’s vitals and conducting an evaluation to learn more about the individual and the severity of their mental illness or addiction. 

The staff at our ketamine clinic provides an individualized treatment plan for each patient. The dosing of ketamine for depression may vary from ketamine for other mental illnesses or addictions. The individual and the treatment plan provided to them must be tailored specifically to that patient’s unique needs. 

If you or someone close to you is struggling, contact WhiteSands today to learn more about this integrative therapy. Psychedelic drugs, such as ketamine therapy, can relieve those who have tried other medications but have not responded well to them. The efficacy of ketamine treatments has made it a highly-considered drug for those with severe depression. Psychedelic therapy can truly be life-changing. The time to contact our ketamine clinic is now to experience the beneficial effects of ketamine. 

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.