Addiction is a deeply rooted condition that affects both the brain and body. Whether it’s alcohol, opioids, stimulants, or other substances, breaking the cycle of dependence can feel overwhelming. At Nervana Medical, we focus on healing the root causes of addiction—not just managing symptoms. One of the most exciting emerging tools in this effort is ketamine therapy, which is showing promising results for those navigating recovery.
🧠 Addiction: A Condition of the Brain, Not Just Behavior
Substance use disorders are not simply bad habits or lapses in discipline—they’re chronic conditions that alter the brain’s chemistry. Repeated use of drugs or alcohol disrupts the dopamine reward system, which can make it hard to experience pleasure, motivation, or emotional stability without the substance.
This disruption often leads to:
- Intense cravings
- Mood disorders like anxiety and depression
- Emotional detachment
- An increased risk of relapse
Conventional treatments like counseling, rehab, or medication-assisted treatment (MAT) are crucial, but sometimes additional support is needed. Ketamine offers a unique and scientifically supported way to bridge that gap.
A helpful read on how dopamine affects addiction is Dr. Anna Lembke’s “Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence,” available on Amazon or Audible.
🌿 How Ketamine Works in Recovery
Ketamine, when administered at low, therapeutic doses, interacts with the glutamate system and NMDA receptors in the brain. This promotes neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new neural pathways and “rewire” itself.
Some potential benefits of ketamine in addiction treatment include:
- Decreased cravings – By interrupting repetitive thought loops and reducing sensitivity to drug-related triggers, ketamine can reduce the urge to use.
- Rapid relief from depression – Many people recovering from addiction also face mental health struggles. Ketamine often works much faster than traditional antidepressants.
- Trauma support – Ketamine’s dissociative effects can help individuals process emotional wounds in combination with psychotherapy.
- Enhanced brain function – By fostering neuroplasticity, ketamine may help improve motivation, mood, and long-term recovery outcomes.
- Sustained abstinence – Studies suggest ketamine-assisted therapy can promote lasting sobriety for alcohol, opioid, and cocaine dependence, even years after treatment.
🔄 A Mental Reset for a Fresh Start
Ketamine is often described as offering a “reset” to the brain’s default network. It can help break the psychological patterns of addiction and open a window of clarity, allowing individuals to reconnect with their goals and emotions.
It’s especially impactful during:
- Early recovery stages
- Times of high relapse risk
- Cases where standard therapies haven’t worked
💡 Comprehensive Care: Ketamine + Support
At Nervana Medical, ketamine therapy is never offered in isolation. We build comprehensive, individualized care plans that integrate:
- Trauma-informed talk therapy
- One-on-one or group counseling
- Mind-body techniques like mindfulness and breathwork
- Nutritional and hormonal support for total wellness
By treating both emotional and physiological imbalances, we give you a stronger foundation for sustainable healing.
🧍 Who Can Benefit?
Ketamine therapy may be a good fit for individuals who:
- Are recovering from addiction to alcohol, opioids, cannabis, or stimulants
- Are dealing with depression, anxiety, or PTSD alongside addiction
- Have tried traditional therapies without long-term success
- Are seeking a safe, compassionate, and modern approach to recovery
✨ Reclaim Your Life
Healing doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen alone. Ketamine therapy isn’t a miracle cure—but it can be a transformative part of your recovery toolkit. Many patients report clearer thinking, reduced cravings, and renewed hope after just a few sessions.
📍Serving the Greater Salt Lake Area
Nervana Medical provides ketamine therapy in a medically supervised, calming environment. We proudly serve patients in Sandy, Salt Lake City, South Jordan, Midvale, Draper, Cottonwood Heights, Riverton, and beyond.
📞 Book a consultation today to find out if ketamine therapy is a good fit for your recovery journey.
Sources
[1] Ketamine for the treatment of addiction: Evidence and potential … https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29339294/
[2] Ketamine for Addiction | Bespoke Treatment https://bespoketreatment.com/blog/addiction-and-ketamine-how-ketamine-helps-with-addiction/
[3] Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Addiction in Brookfield & Mequon, WI https://www.randrmd.com/KetamineTreatments/Addiction
[4] Efficacy of Ketamine in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6094990/
[5] National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug, Alcohol Issues – SAMHSA https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/helplines/national-helpline
[6] Ketamine for Addiction: What to Know – WebMD https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/addiction/ketamine-for-addiction-what-to-know
[7] How a Ketamine Infusion Can Offer Hope for Drug Abusers https://futurepsychsolutions.com/blog/how-a-ketamine-infusion-can-offer-hope-for-drug-abusers/
[8] Is ketamine addictive, and is it safe for depression? – UCHealth Today https://www.uchealth.org/today/ketamine-safety-is-it-addictive-does-it-help-with-depression/
Ketamine for the treatment of addiction: Evidence and potential mechanisms – PubMed
Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic drug which acts on the central nervous system chiefly through antagonism of the -methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Recently, ketamine has attracted attention as a rapid-acting anti-depressant but other studies have also reported its efficacy in reducing prob …
Ketamine for the treatment of addiction: Evidence and potential mechanisms – PubMed
Ketamine for Addiction | Bespoke Treatment
Ketamine in addiction treatment. Understand how it helps rewire the brain, reducing dependency on alcohol & other substances
Ketamine Infusion Therapy & Treatment Clinic in Milwaukee & Waukesha
R and R MD is a ketamine infusion therapy clinic in Brookfield, WI. Contact us today for an initial consultation! (66 kB)
Ketamine Infusion Therapy for Addiction in Brookfield & Mequon, WI | Reset Restore MD
Efficacy of Ketamine in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review
Background: Despite advances in behavioral and pharmacotherapy interventions, substance use disorders (SUDs) are frequently refractory to treatment. Glutamatergic dysregulation has received increasing attention as one common neuropathology across … (174 kB)
Efficacy of Ketamine in the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders: A Systematic Review – PMC
National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug, Alcohol Issues
SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders. (64 kB)
National Helpline for Mental Health, Drug, Alcohol Issues | SAMHSA