September marks Substance Abuse Awareness Month. The scope and depth of substance abuse and addiction are devastating not only for individuals and families but also for society as a whole. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 19.7 million American adults (aged 12 and older) battled a substance use disorder in 2017. With the events and tragedies that occurred this past year, it will take years to fully see the ramifications of the events that unfolded in 2020. The economic hardship faced by millions and the many thousands of individuals grieving loved ones will leave an indelible mark around the globe. Even with our current uncertainties, Ketamine Health Centers seeks to curb the most devastating of mental conditions, including substance abuse cases.

Substance abuse is not only a crippling mental illness for society with its correlation with domestic violence and increased crime rate, but also has been associated with lost productivity and is known to cause additional stress on our health care system. It is most preventable within a social framework that allows for healthy developmental growth. Meaning, that in a society that fosters self-care and provides citizens with the tools to manage emotional and mental health concerns, there is no doubt that there would be a curb in substance abuse and addiction per capita. Many individuals fall into addiction as a result of depression, trauma, sustained stress, or social habits and when combined with a genetic predisposition, it leads one down the rabbit hole. Substance abuse, like mental health, in particular, falls along a spectrum.

If today’s youth was equipped with the coping skills to manage difficult and traumatic life experiences (given that not all families can establish healthy dynamics without societal support), many more of our youth and adults will learn to use healthy methods to manage life’s challenges. We are slowly starting to move in this direction with our renewed focus on wellness and growth mindset perspective. Ketamine Health Centers is here to help you re-ground and focus on your overall wellness. 

The benefits of developing coping skills in adolescent years foster a positive mental health environment for children and families. It is important for individuals to understand the unique set of coping skills that are available for different kinds of stressors. Self-soothing, distraction, action, emotional awareness, mindfulness, and crisis planning are some of the categories of coping skills that can support those struggling with substance abuse. Here is our list of suggested coping:

•  Comforting yourself through your five senses.
• Taking your mind off the problem for a while. 
• Doing something the opposite of your impulse that’s consistent with more positive emotion. 
• Tools for identifying and expressing your feelings. 
• Tools for centering and grounding yourself in the present. 
• Contact info of supports and resources, for when coping skills aren’t enough. 

The underlying factors that lead to substance abuse and addiction are unique to each individual, and so treatment must be tailored to each person. Multifaceted approaches to overcoming addiction are essential, as some individuals will need therapy, a change of lifestyle, cutting-edge treatments, and most importantly change of perspective. With our alternative treatment methods for individuals who have found traditional options to fall short of their needs, Ketamine Health Centers is ready to help.

There are layers to every addiction story, and each of those layers may require a distinct approach to healing. First, is the lived experience of the individual that should be worked through in a therapeutic setting. Ketamine assisted psychotherapy provides an alternative method to talk therapy during ketamine infusions, proving to be effective for individuals with a genetic component to their addiction. Ketamine infusion therapy helps dislodge entrenched brain circuitry and reestablish new neuronal connections, thus breaking down some of the genetic pull of addiction.  Other treatments offered at our clinics, such as Stellate Ganglion Blocks (SGB), can provide relief for individuals that have developed an addiction due to trauma by resetting the body’s internal fight or flight responses.  Combining traditional therapy with alternative treatment methods can help one heal more quickly and more effectively, leading to sustained sobriety and recovery from other types of addictive behavior. 

Ketamine Health Centers offers an array of wellness procedures to enhance any therapeutic approach. Schedule your free consultation today to learn how Ketamine Health Centers can help you make your life your own again.