I Think I Have an Alcohol Use Disorder: Can You Help?

Every person uses alcohol differently, whether they drink to function or drink to excess. Here’s how ketamine therapy can aid in recovery.

Consumption of alcohol doesn’t always lead to abuse and dependence. However, alcohol use disorder can make it difficult to draw the line between enjoying alcohol and relying on it to have a good time, socialize, or cope with stress. Ketamine therapy can provide relief from other mental health disorders and substance abuse, making it a promising treatment option.

At Ketalink Ketamine Center in Levittown, New York, Dr. Hau Nguyen and his team offer ketamine infusions that can help you overcome alcohol use disorder and ease your transition through any potential withdrawal symptoms.

Understanding alcohol use disorder

Alcohol use disorder, or AUD, describes the spectrum of alcohol misuse or abuse, including alcohol addiction or alcoholism.

Once your alcohol use gets out of control, it can be very hard to stop. That’s because AUD is actually a brain disorder. If you have a problem with alcohol, you’re not alone: nearly 28.9 million adults and youth ages 12 and up struggled with AUD in 2023.

Trying to stop drinking for good can be incredibly difficult, and most people return to alcohol abuse anywhere from two to six or more times before successfully becoming sober. Lack of a solid support network can affect your ability to stop abusing alcohol, but the biggest factor for many is the harsh reality of withdrawal symptoms. Ketamine can help with that.

The benefits of ketamine therapy

There are numerous benefits to ketamine therapy, including more effective relief from withdrawal symptoms and fewer risks than other medications. Ketamine is also easily controlled, fast-acting, and long-lasting.

One of the biggest advantages of ketamine for AUD is its ability to blunt withdrawal symptoms and stave off depression, allowing the brain to learn new ways of handling urges to drink.

Controlled dosage

One of the utmost concerns when treating alcohol use disorder is replacing one dependency with another. During ketamine infusions, doses are carefully measured and given in a controlled setting via an IV.

Takes effect quickly

When given intravenously, ketamine is delivered directly into the bloodstream. The IV drip allows you to absorb the drug rapidly, inducing a feeling of calm and relief from withdrawal symptoms that lasts long after the infusion.

Long-lasting results

Most people see improvement in symptoms within one to three ketamine infusions. Once you’ve safely weaned yourself off of alcohol dependency, you won’t need the infusions anymore. One of the reasons ketamine therapy works so well is that you won’t be as tempted to drink to make withdrawal symptoms go away.

To learn more about ketamine use for AUD, call Ketalink Ketamine Center at 516-703-4937 or book an appointment online today.