10000% call your sponsor and talk to him about it. And the re read the doctors opinion. Lol
1 Like
Well Lee, you already know the answer to your second question. As to the first one, a close friend is on a ketamine regiment for severe PTSD (3 tours). It was a last resort for him. It does cause him mild dizziness and to be hazy after a treatment for about a day.
While ketamine can have therapeutic effects on the regions of your brain that control mood and behavior it IS highly addictive and is an issue for him but the pros outweigh the cons of cravings for now at least.
Slippery slope my friend, if it were me I wouldn't even get a tinder next to that flame. Now if your wife isn't "one of us" it could be beneficial and worth exploring. Hopefully you get something out of my ramblings.
1 Like
Side note to anyone else, if you ever say to yourself "should I call my sponsor about xyz?" then you 100% should call them immediately. We tend to rationalize everyfknthing!
1 Like
I appreciate everyone’s feedback. I knew there would be various points of view on this topic. I myself can make an argument both for and against.
Here’s a link that explains the therapy a bit. Ketamine Assisted Therapies - Psych Garden
As I previously stated, this was a suggestion by a well known addiction specialist psychologist. I will ask if it’s possible that we can benefit if just my wife takes the Keratime. I’m in no rush, and will take time to explore this option and discuss with others.
My wife and I are at a bit of a crossroads. We are both going individually to therapy, and then do couples therapy once a month. It’s been 13 months since a very traumatic episode (my addictions) blew our lives apart. 30 years together with lots of ups and downs. We’ve made some good progress, but my wife gets triggered from everyday situations, and it’s causing her a lot of emotional pain. She can’t seem to let go. She’s stuck. She says she’s trying and wants to feel better. She’s conflicted because at times she’s still very angry and wants me to feel bad too. OTOH, she doesn’t like to bring me down. She knows I’m working hard in my recovery program, and moving forward. I want her to find peace and be happy. She wants the same for me. Bottom line is if she can’t find peace with the situation, we will probably have to go our separate ways. This is not our first choice. We’re not young, and we both deserve to be happy. This is not a last ditch effort, but it’s an option that’s being offered as a possible solution.
Anyways, appreciate everyone’s input whether you’re for, against, or on the fence!
I think your wife could really benefit from AlAnon
1 Like
Lee!!! Definitely look at the fear you have. Sounds like a defect is popping up, “fear of what others think of me”. I too have that fear as a defect. I would write it out. Ask more people in the program their thoughts. And if always pray and meditate on it. The right answers will come.
Love ya Brother!!!
1 Like
She tried a few zoom meetings last year…and hated everything about it. It’s not for me to push at this point. She is finally working with a good therapist. Finally focusing on herself, and using tools to help her thru the day. Part of working with a new therapist is going thru the drama once again. This has definitely added to a little step backwards. Sometimes it’s necessary to go back a little before we can move forward
1 Like
Go with your intuition/gut my friend. Consult your sponsor and your doctor. Do not worry about Carl W from Tuscaloosa
Over the next several years we are going to see a lot of new therapy’s using psychedelics. Recent studies show that SSRI’s don’t work the way we thought and a lot of research is going into mushroom and LSD type therapies: I think it’s going to be something we in recovery are going to have to approach cautiously but with an open mind.
I know many people who microdose mushrooms for various reasons and it seems to be helping.
2 Likes
Just a quick update. I spoke with my therapist yesterday about this Keratime Therapy. As I spoke about it to him, I came to the conclusion that the risks are way too high for the rewards. My recovery is going well. I’m making progress, and haven’t hit a wall that would be require me to try this treatment. My addict brain and obsessive thinking have been on overdrive since this was proposed the other day. As for my wife, perhaps this is something that may help her. She’s not one of us, so she doesn’t have that added risk. She’s talking it over with her therapist, and I’ll support whatever decision she comes to. Once again, I appreciate everyone’s feedback. Let’s all keep our minds open, be tolerant of one another, and make our sobriety our priority
2 Likes
Just to note …the article about ketamine says not addictive but having said that I agree with Skot. Medically supervised use of psychedelics is showing great potential to provide a way for greater whole self awareness that can be a aid in all addictions….times not only change but sometimes laws change as well….over 50 years ago it showed promise but was outlawed because of its thought to be purely an illicit drug…just know being an alcoholic is a tremendous burden that we all have to handle….any moral applications that can help break the enigma is welcome to study and decide…I wish the best for all!
3 Likes
I read somewhere that it could be addictive. Regardless, we do need to be careful. Our illness can have catastrophic consequences. Bottom line is I’m scared! I’ve been anxious since Wednesday when the Dr suggested this an option. My addictive brain has been awakened, and I don’t feel comfortable. I also have a little mistrust in the promotional propaganda that surrounds most everything these days. I prefer not to see the studies and conclusions that they want to send me. The more I see, the more my fear kicks in that they are trying to sell me on this.do you think they are going to send me any studies and results that were not in their favor?? Again, I’m not in a desperate situation, so I’d rather pass at this time.
Hopefully these types of therapies will prove to be beneficial, and have little to risks.
1 Like
I’ve been reading a lot about psychedelics for treatment. Even Bill W. advocated for it back in the 50s.
I think it’s worth considering. It sounds like you’re doing it the right way, through a licensed addiction therapist. Ron White got sober via psychedelics.
1 Like
Bill Wilson got into psychedelics for awhile. Just a thought.
1 Like
If you do it, please share about the experience. I’m extremely curious.
Don't let this distract you from the fact that in 1972 a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn't commit. These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire the A-Team.
I see no problem with ketamine therapy as long as you are doing it with a doctor. Ketamine is a medication used widely in anesthesia (for humans not only horses). It’s a very interesting drug but I’d take a look at what your drugs of choice once were and how they match up with ketamine. Do your research. But make sure your doctor knows what he is doing. Also consider this, if you had heavy surgery and were prescribed opiates would you take them as prescribed? If you had depression would you take SSRIs as prescribed? Different drugs may have different implication on your recovery but specially with drugs such as ketamine or even MDMA, they can have significant therapeutic value when used in the right way.
But please take this as a grain of salt, best of luck to you
2 Likes
If you’re first instinct is fear and uneasy than I’d say listen to that feeling
What’s the point of it? I’d seek a second opinion before you risk your life l