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Ketamine Therapy

Addiction, depression, trauma, anxiety — these experiences can leave people trapped in a web of confusing and painful emotions, as well as negative thoughts and beliefs about oneself, other people, and the world. To find true healing, one must dive a little deeper into the healing journey. Ketamine-Assisted Therapy combines the power of Ketamine treatments with our integrated holistic therapeutic approach which includes, talk therapy, energy medicine, bodywork, breathwork, ceremony, nutrition, and nutraceutical support. Our unique approach to Ketamine-Assisted Therapy allows you to explore and reframe a new and different perspective on the emotions, memories, experiences, and beliefs tying you to addiction, trauma, or other emotional and mental difficulties. 

The Sanctuary offers Ketamine-Assisted Therapy in our licensed on-campus medical clinic as an add-on with additional cost to our holistic 30-day, residential drug, and trauma recovery program.
We administer the Ketamine intramuscularly and not intravenously.

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a synthetic compound and medicine that’s been used as an anesthetic and analgesic for decades.  Ketamine is a safe, well-researched medicine that is 100% legal and FDA-approved for many indications related to anesthesia. It is on the World Health Organization’s list of essential medicines and has been credited with saving lives when used as an anesthetic, pain reliever, and anxiety reliever. 

Ketamine is also used in hospices around the globe for treating end-of-life anxiety, pain, and fear. It is being investigated as an agent to treat other serious conditions, such as Parkinson’s Disease.

More recently, Ketamine has become increasingly popular and widely used in the mainstream psychiatric system for its ability to benefit people struggling with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and anxiety. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of Ketamine treatment centers all over the U.S. as of 2021. Trained clinicians have been using Ketamine safely as an adjunct to psychotherapy for almost 20 years. Because of its effectiveness, sometimes within just a few sessions, Ketamine therapy is becoming more widely available.

Ketamine is not safe or recommended for people with a history of manic episodes/Bipolar 1 Disorder and/or mood cycling between highs and lows that are not well controlled with medication. Ketamine is also not safe or recommended for people with psychotic symptoms including hearing or seeing things others don’t, not knowing what is real and unreal, believing you have special powers or are receiving special messages and/or paranoid symptoms, even if these symptoms were induced by substances. In addition, people with certain medical conditions including untreated high blood pressure, untreated cardiac arrhythmias such as atrial fibrillation, untreated glaucoma, and pregnancy among others, should not take Ketamine. Our doctors and clinical team will evaluate your unique situation and decide with you whether Ketamine, a prescription medication, is right for you.

For people who are eligible, Ketamine can be effective within 4 to 6 sessions.

 

What is Ketamine-Assisted Treatment/Therapy?

The Sanctuary at Sedona pioneered Ketamine-Assisted Treatment (KAT), which differs from and goes deeper than the more widely known Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP). KAP combines Ketamine with just talk therapy, most often done in a medical clinic as an outpatient procedure. But what makes KAT different at The Sanctuary is that it is woven into our unique holistic treatment process, a multi-modal integrative approach, that is within the safe container of a 30-day residential treatment program allowing you to go substantially deeper into your therapeutic recovery process.

Ketamine treatment works by modulating a neurotransmitter called glutamate. In the right dose, it amplifies the ability to access painful emotions and memories including those that may not be fully conscious and accessible in traditional psychotherapy.

Everyone has barriers and defense mechanisms they use to push away, disown, and repress painful memories, emotions and fears, and negative beliefs and thinking patterns related to these emotions and memories. Ketamine lowers these barriers and defenses and allows more access to these emotions, memories, and related negative beliefs. This process promotes neuroplasticity, the ability of the brain and nervous system to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections. This change in brain reorganization and activity promotes changes in thinking, emotions, and perspective. Combined with psychotherapy, or talk therapy, KAT allows clients to examine and work through painful experiences and shift underlying issues and root causes related to substance use in a safe and freeing environment.

What is Residential Ketamine Treatment?

Most Ketamine therapy sessions available today are provided in an outpatient setting. For people struggling with complex issues, like addiction coupled with trauma, this often means there is less opportunity to explore other holistic avenues of healing. 

At The Sanctuary, we offer Ketamine therapy as part of our 30-day or longer residential treatment program at our licensed on-campus medical clinic. This means your Ketamine treatment is combined with our other holistic offerings for a more comprehensive transformational process, integrated with group and individual psychotherapy, energy work, bodywork, yoga and meditation, food as medicine, body, and brain health-promoting supplements, and other holistic modalities that make the most of Ketamine-Assisted psychological and spiritual growth.

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy, in conjunction with other healing modalities, takes advantage of the medicine’s ability to enhance neuroplasticity and promote change and personal growth in mind, body, soul, and spirit. Ketamine-Assisted therapy as part of a complete, integrative healing journey is a catalyst that can lead to long-term, sustainable change. Ketamine-Assisted treatment is just one of many tools we use to help you transform your life and be recovered.

Diving Deeper Into the Healing Journey

Ketamine increases your brain’s ability to change. As such, many people find this therapy helps shift their awareness. This can lead to major breakthroughs that change your relationship with addiction or depression.

Ketamine can also aid the talk therapy process. Ketamine creates a relaxed state that helps you open up to new perspectives. It can make it easier to talk about trauma and uncomfortable issues. Gaining access to blocked emotions is also a common Ketamine experience. Beyond simply finding answers that make sense logically, this helps you understand them in an embodied way.

We incorporate Ketamine therapy into our holistic process to maximize its healing potential.

How It Works

The Sanctuary approaches this therapy differently than any other rehab center. We treat ketamine not just as a drug, but as a medicine. As such, our sessions are held in a ceremonial context, in a non-clinical setting.

At The Sanctuary, we take extra care to create a relaxed, contained environment where you’ll feel safe to start changing old patterns. This means:

  • We begin each session with a guided intention-setting process
  • A dedicated member of our team will sit with you throughout the session, while the entire group process is overseen by our medical staff
  • A specially curated playlist sonically supports your journey
  • Your body and brain are further repaired by a detoxifying diet of organic, anti-inflammatory superfoods

An entire session typically lasts for about two hours, including recovery time. We provide surrounding support designed specifically for those in Ketamine treatment. This allows for recovery time, emotional processing, and related therapy sessions the following day.

Ketamine infusion works best in a series of up to six sessions. This takes place alongside your overall program and doesn’t require additional time in treatment.

Types of Ketamine Therapy We Offer

Are you seeking to gain an understanding of what drives your addiction? Perhaps you struggle with treatment-resistant depression and can’t remember the last time you felt “normal.” Here are some of the different types of ketamine therapies we offer at The Sanctuary. 

Ketamine Therapy to Heal Root Causes of Addiction

Changing patterns as engrained as addiction requires us to make changes deep within ourselves. That is, full recovery can’t be achieved with talk therapy alone.

Ketamine overrides the part of your brain that controls your habitual behavior. You can then access your subconscious, where your core issues lie. This allows you to disrupt unwanted behaviors and sets the stage for lasting change.

Ketamine Therapy to Heal Root Causes of Alcohol Use Disorder

Several recent studies specifically speak to the effectiveness of ketamine in treating alcohol addiction. In one, researchers found that people who used ketamine as an alternative to midazolam (an anti-anxiety medication) drank less frequently, drank in lower amounts, and reduced their rates of relapse.

Ketamine blocks the brain receptor related to your memory and moods. This weakens triggers, which is especially useful for alcohol cravings as drinking is often associated with environmental cues.

Ketamine Therapy for Depression

Ketamine is well known as an effective depression treatment. It’s helpful for reducing general depression symptoms, as well as suicidal thinking. It also helps people who struggle to feel pleasure, a key feature of bipolar disorder.

Ketamine can be a useful alternative for “treatment-resistant” depression. This means that even people who haven’t had success with traditional depression treatment may benefit from the method. It’s short-acting, and its benefits can last for a long time, even after a single dose.
This is different from antidepressants, which people need to take for some time and can’t stop abruptly.

Ketamine Therapy for PTSD

A growing body of research also supports the use of ketamine for treating PTSD. Ketamine can have a positive effect on stress response, traumatic memory, and physical symptoms of trauma. One study showed ketamine to be more effective than prescription anxiety medication for easing PTSD symptoms.

Ketamine Therapy for Anxiety

This therapy is also a viable option for anxiety disorders. Ketamine IV therapy can improve concentration and overall function in people who struggle with everyday tasks due to their anxiety. Studies show that ketamine therapy can help anxiety sufferers make positive changes in their work, academic and social lives.

Ketamine Therapy Side Effects

Ketamine is a controlled substance and has been used safely in the medical field since the 1960s. The WHO considers Ketamine one of the safest available drugs, and deems it an “essential medicine.”

The most common minor side effects of Ketamine infusion are nausea, dizziness, and blurred vision. These normally don’t last beyond the session itself.

Most major side effects of Ketamine occur as a result of chronic or excessive use. Ketamine can be dangerous when used as a recreational drug. Because it causes a dissociative state, it shouldn’t be used in unknown settings. The lack of control involved in misusing Ketamine can also lead to improper dosing.

But when used under proper care, the dosage and environment are therapeutic. We use a much lower dose of Ketamine for therapy than what’s used for anesthesia. All of our staff members are trained in Ketamine therapy protocol, and we monitor clients throughout the process to make sure they’re comfortable and safe.

Isn’t Ketamine Addictive?

Some people who used to use Ketamine as a party drug understandably have concerns about using it for treatment. But the setting this therapy takes place in provides an entirely different context. Most people find that it doesn’t cause cravings. On the contrary, it may help them delve deeper into the healing process and address the cause of their addiction.

Who Can Receive Ketamine Treatment?

In general, most people are good candidates for Ketamine. A few conditions require special consideration and MAY make someone ineligible for Ketamine treatment, such as:

  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • Certain serious heart conditions
  • Untreated glaucoma
  • Pregnancy 
  • History of manic episodes/Biploar 1 Disorder and/or mood cycling between highs and lows that are not well controlled with medication
  • People with psychotic symptoms including hearing or seeing things others don’t, not knowing what is real and unreal, believing you have special powers or are receiving special messages, and/or paranoid symptoms, even if these symptoms were induced by substances.
People who take anti-anxiety or sleeping aid medications from the drug class known as benzodiazepines (lorazepam, clonazepam, diazepam, zolpidem, etc.) are asked to skip their medications on the day of the session, as these can reduce the effectiveness of Ketamine. Otherwise, most medications do not negatively interact with Ketamine Treatment, including antidepressants, mood stabilizers, and medications used to treat common health conditions such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
 
Our doctors and clinical team will evaluate your unique situation and decide with you whether Ketamine, a prescription medication, is right for you.

Personalized Ketamine Treatment at The Sanctuary

All clients at The Sanctuary go through a thorough intake process. During this time, you’ll meet with members of our clinical and medical teams. We’ll answer any questions you have and help you decide whether Ketamine therapy is a good fit for you.

Integrative Therapy for Addiction and Trauma

The Sanctuary approach to recovery is synergistic. A combination of experiences has shaped your journey to this point. We believe that transformative power comes by offering various holistic treatment options, including the newest peer-reviewed science, Indigenous wisdom traditions and complementary therapies. This combination creates a comprehensive transformational therapeutic process that allows our clients to heal, progress and change in ways they never have before. 

Our whole-person approach addresses every area of your life:

  • Mind — Meditation, psychotherapy, brain-healthy nutrition, and supplements
  • Body — Movement therapies, bodywork, trauma release
  • Soul — Creative expression, breathwork, ceremony, and ritual
  • Spirit — Energy medicine, nature-based practices, sound healing

These methods work together to help you open to change. And your treatment team collaborates daily. This means that everyone you come into contact with is up to date on what you’ve done, and what you most need next.

The Benefits of Integrative, Holistic Treatment

For years, The Sanctuary was the first treatment center to incorporate a holistic, integrative approach into the recovery process. We continue to be pioneers in holistic treatment. Simply put, holistic means a “whole person” approach to recovery. In this model, every aspect of a person’s life becomes a part of the healing process — body, mind, soul and spirit. Ketamine therapy then becomes just one tool in a whole-person treatment journey.

This integrated mind and body approach offers a wide range of benefits to our clients:

  • Ensures personalized care
  • Treats all elements touched by addiction
  • Empowers those struggling with addiction or mental health issues to find lasting change
  • Provides a complete health solution
  • Opens the door to deeper insights into yourself

How Can Sanctuary at Sedona Help Me?

The Sanctuary’s one-of-a-kind holistic treatment program is a turning point for so many clients who didn’t get the results they wanted elsewhere. People come to us for trauma, anxiety, or addiction, but they discover so much more. This is a healing process aimed at total life transformation.

“I came in knowing that I needed help with my drug consumption, my food habits, and the depression I was feeling. I feel I’ve received so much more than that.”

A New Life Awaits — Call us Today

If you’re ready to find lasting change and holistic healing, an integrative approach using Ketamine therapy may be the best option for you. Contact us today to find out where this journey can take you.

 

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