The most prevalent form of substance abuse is alcohol abuse. In the USA alone, around twenty million individuals are victims of substance use disorders. In simple words, we can describe addiction as an uncontrollable urge to consume harmful substances, despite awareness of their destructive impacts.

Substance abuse can ruin health and lives for good, and sometimes the damage is irreparable. Addiction tends to alter the way our minds and bodies function, often for life. Many people have succumbed to their addiction, while others have failed to quit it throughout their lives.

When discussing addiction and possible treatment options, you will often hear the mention of Ketamine. Over the recent years, ketamine infusion therapy has been a source of hope for people. It has given addicts a chance of breaking free from their bondage to substances.

Ketamine appears to be a promising solution for people addicted to substances and a helpful aid in their recovery. Let’s learn how it is a source of help.

Ketamine- What it is

Many will find it surprising that despite the Ketamine infusion therapy is a promising treatment option for addiction, it is a drug itself. Ketamine is primarily an anesthetic agent of intravenous IV class. It has been a primary agent for medical sedation purposes since 1970.

Many people associated with the medical field recognize it as an animal tranquilizer and veterinary medicine. Over the years, Ketamine also earned a reputation as a party drug because it produces a euphoric feeling. Like many drugs, Ketamine too creates a sense of disconnection in the user.

Soon after consuming Ketamine, users experience an increase in blood flow and heart rate. It increases their muscle tone and relaxes their airways. Usually, medical professionals administer a dose of Ketamine to patients during surgery. It makes the patients appear awake, with their eyes open but generally in a dissociative state.

However, because of its euphoria-causing properties and the feelings of disassociation, Ketamine also became a popular party drug. The youth especially has been actively consuming it. So how, despite being a drug, did it become a treatment solution for addiction?

According to WHO (World Health Organization), Ketamine has various medical benefits that far outweigh its potential harm from frivolous usage. The WHO considers it an essential medicine and regards it as one of the most efficacious and safest inventions in medicines.

Ketamine Infusion Therapy- How it Supports Recovery

Ketamine has been in active use in the medical field since 1970. This drug helps in anesthetics purposes in medical settings, but recent clinical studies have discovered that it can also be a promising treatment substance for addiction.

Addiction therapists have been actively employing Ketamine infusion therapy for treating substance abuse disorders. If you or a loved one is an addict, you can now consider Ketamine therapy as a possible treatment solution. We know that many addiction treatment experts have been using Ketamine to help addicts recover from their dependence on cocaine, heroin, alcohol, and other drugs.

Quitting substance dependence and staying committed to it requires immense dedication and willpower. Of course, a clear mind is also critical for recovery, along with the other attributes. But thus far, results prove that Ketamine therapy can help reduce cravings and also help individuals stay motivated and on track.

A substance abuse recovery program includes psychological therapy as well, which plays a major role in helping addicts recover. Ketamine infusion therapy can further help enhance a patient’s experience with psychological therapy.

The infusions tend to temporarily alter a person’s neutral function in the brain, which can help create a positive experience for the patient. When one opts for ketamine infusion therapy, the medical experts deliver the infusions in comfortable suites where the patients reside for a couple of hours.

It is common to experience tingling or floating sensations because of the psychedelic effects of the drug. However, this is not a cause for concern because the side effects end when the infusion ends. It is best to have someone accompany the individual due for infusion appointments.

This way, there will be lesser risks when the person is under the influence of this infusion. There is no set of infusions that a recovery plan needs because it varies per person. The extent of a person’s addiction condition and their health determines the number of infusions they will need.

Seeking treatment under the careful supervision of trained medical experts is the best approach. It ensures that you get the best attention and modified treatment plans as per your condition. The medical experts who work on your case also make adjustments proactively throughout your program to ensure you achieve success and recover completely.

Ketamine- Other Effects

Ketamine is a drug, and it produces specific physical effects of a mild nature and alters one’s mental state. With Ketamine, some side effects that commonly occur include:

• Stomach discomfort– an excessive intake of Ketamine can cause vomiting or nausea
• Disassociation– it is common to suffer visual and audible hallucinations under the influence of ketamine
• Sedation– Ketamine primarily came into existence as an anesthetic agent, hence it has sedative properties. Due to this, you can transport into a trance-like and tired mental state under its influence.
• Senses Dulling– Our brain comprises of certain receptors that process touch, hearing, sight, and other sensory feelings for us. Ketamine can block those receptors and dull our senses. When the pain receptors dull, it can further exacerbate an existing injury or may render the user incapable of recognizing the severity of an injury he/she has sustained under Ketamine euphoria.

Final Thoughts

Ketamine has been a part of the medical world since 1970, first acting as an anesthetic agent and later becoming a popular club drug. The WHO recognizes it as an essential medicine, and recent studies have proved that ketamine can be a helpful agent in helping addicted people recover and stay away from substance abuse.

Even though it creates feelings of euphoria and disassociation, it rarely ever has fatal effects, even in the case of substance abuse disorder. This is why medical experts consider it a primary and safe alternative treatment option to helping patients leave their substance dependence and find complete recovery. Make your Ketamine Therapy appointment today!