All over the world, millions of people deal with addiction. This serious issue can have a debilitating effect on a person’s quality of life. Addiction occurs with a number of substances, from prescription medication to alcohol. There are also varying degrees of addiction. Some people use drugs on an occasional basis but cannot stop their habit. Others are participating in the daily use of substances.
There are several treatment options for addiction. This spans from therapy to medications. Unfortunately, some of the more traditional ways of dealing with addiction don’t work for people. When looking for treatments for addiction that work, ketamine stands out as a viable option. Let’s look at how ketamine can alleviate cravings and fight back against addiction.
What is Ketamine Therapy for Addiction?
Ketamine was initially introduced in the 1960s as an anesthetic drug. Several decades later, research determined it was beneficial for other purposes, including mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. It has also been widely studied as one of the treatments for addiction that works effectively. Now, there are Las Vegas ketamine clinic facilities that are providing support for all kinds of issues, including addiction.
How Does Ketamine Therapy for Addiction Work?
When ketamine is administered by way of injection, there is a shift in how the neurotransmitters and receptors in the brain function. There is a change in how glutamate is produced and acts upon the brain’s functions. This alters things like learning ability, mental stability, and memory. This therapy can be used to curb a person’s cravings as well as any withdrawal symptoms that they are experiencing. Ketamine can be used alone, or it can be used as a complement to other forms of addiction support.
Ketamine also stimulates the growth of new neural connections between brain cells. This can help interrupt the process of addiction. There is also an increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which is necessary for the growth of new brain cells. This regeneration can help fight against addiction, but it’s also an integral part of repairing a brain that may be damaged from ongoing drug or alcohol use. It’s often this damage that leads to unpleasant symptoms, resulting in an addict choosing to continue using their drug of choice to “feel better”.
Has Ketamine Therapy for Addiction Been Clinically Studied?
There has been a substantial amount of research done on the potential benefits of ketamine. While there is still a lot of room for improvement in this regard, there are some studies and clinical trials that have investigated the different benefits of ketamine injections for addiction recovery. While more traditional approaches can also provide results, ketamine injections at a Las Vegas ketamine clinic have the potential to reduce cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and even anxiety relating to addiction to drugs and alcohol. These achievements are fast, eliminating the need to spend weeks trying different medications to see if they will work, adjusting doses, etc.
Ketamine Therapy for Alcohol Addiction
Alcohol addiction is a chronic disorder associated with compulsive alcohol drinking. This includes a lack of control over the amount of alcohol consumed or the frequency of alcohol use. When alcohol is not consumed, this results in a negative mood or emotional state that can only be improved when more alcohol is consumed.
Currently, more than six percent of adults in the United States have an alcohol addiction. Alcohol-related deaths are the third-leading cause of preventable death in our country. Some people attempt to cut alcohol out of their life “cold turkey”. However, this often results in relapse. Other options include medication, behavioral therapy, and alcohol recovery programs. When these options do not provide effective or long-lasting effects, people can turn to ketamine injections as an option.
Ketamine can affect alcohol addiction in a number of ways. It has the potential to reduce the dependency that a person has on alcohol. It can also curb the withdrawal symptoms that come about once alcohol consumption has ceased. This includes tremors, sweating, shaking, and anxiety.
Ketamine Compared to Other Treatment Options
Ketamine is often used alone as an addiction treatment option, but evidence suggests it works exceptionally well when used at the same time as other therapies. In many cases, ketamine can help a person stick to the recovery program in which they are involved. This reduces relapse.
Ketamine can also be used to cope with some of the other mental health-related issues that may be contributing to addiction in the first place. Many people turn to drugs and alcohol as an escape from panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Ketamine’s ability to increase glutamate and serotonin in the brain can profoundly affect a person’s ability to remain sober.
How is Ketamine Administered for Addiction?
An initial evaluation at a ketamine clinic in Las Vegas will include a thorough look at a person’s medical history, their history of addiction, and the different methods that have been tried (and failed) up to this point. A medical professional will be involved throughout this entire process, providing guidance and expertise along the way.
Ketamine injections are performed in a ketamine clinic with privacy and comfort in mind. You will be kept in a private area during the process. There will be medical staff on hand to monitor your vital signs. When used for addiction, ketamine is usually administered more than once to achieve a level of stabilization. Depending on the situation, there may be ongoing maintenance injections as well. The frequency will be determined with the patient’s needs in mind.
If you’re interested in learning more about ketamine therapy for alcohol and drug addiction, contact the Progressive Medical Solutions team. We can answer any questions you have, walking you through the entire process of what to expect. We see ketamine injections as one of the treatments for addiction that work, helping you regain control of your life.
