Ketamine Treatment: A New Approach to Healing
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a medication originally developed in the 1960s as an anesthetic. It remains FDA-approved for use in surgery and emergency medicine. In recent years, researchers and clinicians have discovered that, in carefully controlled, lower doses, ketamine can have powerful therapeutic benefits for mental health and substance use recovery.
Unlike traditional antidepressants that take weeks to show results, ketamine often provides rapid relief—sometimes within hours. This makes it especially promising for people who have not responded well to other treatments.
Legal Status in Texas
In Texas, ketamine is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance, meaning it is legal when prescribed and administered by a licensed medical professional. While it is not FDA-approved specifically for depression, PTSD, or addiction treatment, it is used “off-label,” a common medical practice where doctors prescribe an approved medication for conditions supported by strong research.
Ketamine therapy in Texas is typically offered through specialized clinics under the supervision of physicians, anesthesiologists, or psychiatrists. Patients should always seek treatment from reputable providers who follow medical best practices and safety protocols.
How Ketamine Works
Ketamine affects the brain differently from most other psychiatric medications. Instead of focusing on serotonin or dopamine pathways, ketamine primarily influences glutamate, the brain’s most abundant neurotransmitter. By enhancing glutamate activity and stimulating new neural connections, ketamine helps the brain “rewire” itself, a process called neuroplasticity.
This neuroplastic effect is believed to reduce symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and cravings associated with addiction. Many patients describe ketamine sessions as creating a “reset” or new perspective, which can then be reinforced through therapy and lifestyle changes.
Ketamine for Mental Health and Addiction
Depression
Ketamine has shown remarkable success in reducing symptoms of treatment-resistant depression. Patients often report rapid improvements in mood, energy, and outlook, offering hope where traditional medications have failed.
Anxiety
By calming overactive neural circuits, ketamine can ease symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety, and panic attacks, often providing lasting relief after a series of treatments.
PTSD
For individuals with post-traumatic stress disorder, ketamine can reduce intrusive thoughts, nightmares, and hypervigilance. When combined with trauma-informed therapy, it can help patients process and integrate traumatic experiences in a healthier way.
Addiction
Emerging studies show ketamine may reduce cravings and withdrawal symptoms for substances like alcohol, opioids, and cocaine. Its ability to disrupt rigid thought and behavior patterns helps patients break free from cycles of relapse. Importantly, ketamine is most effective when paired with counseling, peer support, and other recovery services.
Safety and Considerations
Ketamine therapy is generally safe when administered in a clinical setting. Side effects may include dizziness, mild dissociation, or nausea, which usually subside quickly. Because ketamine has a history of recreational misuse, clinical use requires careful screening, medical oversight, and integration with therapy.
Ketamine is not a cure-all. It works best as part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include psychotherapy, lifestyle changes, and other supports. Patients with certain medical conditions (such as uncontrolled high blood pressure or active psychosis) may not be good candidates.
Integrating Ketamine Into Recovery
The greatest benefits of ketamine come from combining the medical treatment with personal behavior changes and ongoing support. Many clinics pair ketamine therapy with counseling, mindfulness, and relapse-prevention planning. The goal is not only symptom relief but also long-term resilience, healing, and improved quality of life.
A Word of Caution
While ketamine shows great promise, it is not a “magic pill” and should never be viewed as a simple substitute for another drug. Relief from symptoms is only the first step. True healing requires willful intent to change behavior, the courage to address underlying trauma, and the commitment to build healthier habits.
Ketamine can open the door to recovery, but lasting change depends on the effort a person invests in therapy, community support, and personal growth. When used responsibly within a structured treatment plan, ketamine becomes a tool—not the solution in itself—for creating a healthier future.
Joyous Ketamine Therapy - Very Low Dose Ketamine Treatment At-Home
Naltrexone Treatment: Support for Recovery
What is Naltrexone?
Naltrexone is an FDA-approved medication used to treat alcohol use disorder (AUD) and opioid use disorder (OUD). Unlike medications that mimic opioids (such as methadone or buprenorphine), naltrexone works by blocking the effects of opioids and reducing the rewarding sensations of alcohol. This makes it harder for people to experience a “high” or the reinforcement that drives cravings.
Naltrexone comes in two forms:
Daily oral tablet (ReVia, Depade)
Monthly injectable (extended-release) (Vivitrol)
Both forms must be prescribed and monitored by a licensed medical provider.
Legal Status in Texas
Naltrexone is a Schedule VI non-controlled medication, which means it has no addictive properties and is legal to prescribe and dispense throughout Texas. It is widely available through physicians, addiction specialists, and treatment clinics, and is often covered by insurance for substance use treatment.
How Naltrexone Works
Naltrexone binds to opioid receptors in the brain without activating them. This “blocking” effect:
For alcohol: reduces cravings and blunts the pleasurable effects of drinking.
For opioids: prevents opioids from producing euphoria, discouraging relapse.
Because it targets the brain’s reward pathways, naltrexone is also being studied and used off-label for other compulsive behaviors, including gambling disorder, binge eating, and impulse-control issues.
Naltrexone for Addiction and Beyond
Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)
Naltrexone can help reduce heavy drinking days, limit cravings, and support abstinence. Patients often report that drinking feels less rewarding, making it easier to stop after one drink or avoid alcohol entirely.
Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)
For individuals in recovery from opioids, naltrexone acts as a protective shield, blocking euphoric effects if relapse occurs. Unlike opioid-based medications, naltrexone is non-addictive and carries no withdrawal symptoms if discontinued. However, it requires patients to be opioid-free for 7–10 days before starting treatment, to avoid triggering sudden withdrawal.
Other Compulsive Behaviors
Naltrexone has shown promise in reducing urges tied to gambling, binge eating, kleptomania, and other compulsive behaviors. For people who feel trapped in destructive cycles, it can provide the extra boost needed to resist urges and focus on recovery.
Safety and Considerations
Naltrexone is generally well-tolerated, with possible side effects including nausea, headache, or fatigue. Because it can affect the liver, patients usually need a liver function test before starting treatment. It is not recommended for individuals with acute hepatitis or significant liver disease.
Naltrexone is not physically addictive, and missing a dose does not cause withdrawal. Still, consistency is key: the benefits are strongest when patients stick to their prescribed schedule.
Naltrexone and Behavior Change
Naltrexone is not a cure on its own. It supplements willpower—helping reduce cravings and relapse risk so individuals can focus on therapy, support groups, and rebuilding healthy routines. Many describe it as “the extra boost” that allows them to fully engage in recovery work.
Combination Therapy: Naltrexone + Bupropion (Contrave)
Naltrexone is also available in combination with bupropion (Wellbutrin) under the brand name Contrave. Although it is FDA-approved and marketed as a weight-loss medication, this combination shows broader potential benefits. Bupropion supports mood regulation and reduces nicotine cravings, while naltrexone reduces alcohol, opioid, and other compulsive urges. Together, they may provide a more comprehensive boost to overall well-being by targeting multiple pathways involved in mood, reward, and impulse control.
While research is ongoing, this dual-action therapy highlights how medications originally designed for specific conditions can be combined to support a more holistic approach to recovery and long-term health.
Learn more about Contrave and speak with a licensed healthcare provider online
Acamprosate: Supporting Recovery from Alcohol Use Disorder
What is Acamprosate?
Acamprosate (brand name Campral) is an FDA-approved medication used to support recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD). Unlike medications that create unpleasant reactions when drinking (such as disulfiram) or block pleasurable effects (like naltrexone), acamprosate works by helping restore the brain’s natural chemical balance that is disrupted by long-term alcohol use.
When someone stops drinking, the brain—adapted to constant alcohol exposure—often becomes overactive, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, and irritability. These feelings can trigger relapse. Acamprosate helps stabilize this imbalance, reducing post-withdrawal symptoms and cravings, and making it easier to maintain sobriety.
How It Works
Acamprosate influences the brain’s glutamate and GABA systems, which regulate excitability and calmness. Chronic alcohol use throws these systems out of balance, leaving the brain “overstimulated” when alcohol is removed. Acamprosate acts as a stabilizer, dampening the overactivity and helping the brain function more normally without alcohol.
This unique mechanism doesn’t block intoxication or cause aversive reactions; instead, it supports the maintenance of abstinence by reducing the stress and discomfort that can accompany early sobriety.
Effectiveness
Works best for individuals who have already stopped drinking and want to remain abstinent.
Reduces the risk of relapse, especially when combined with counseling, peer support, and behavior-change strategies.
Studies show that patients on acamprosate are more likely to stay sober over the long term compared to those receiving placebo.
How It’s Taken
Typically prescribed as 600 mg three times a day (two tablets, three times daily).
Dosing is adjusted for people with impaired kidney function, and it is not recommended for those with severe kidney disease.
Unlike some other medications, acamprosate is not processed by the liver, making it a safer option for individuals with liver impairment—common in long-term alcohol use.
Safety and Side Effects
Acamprosate is generally well-tolerated, with most side effects being mild and temporary. Common effects include:
Diarrhea
Nausea or stomach upset
Headache
Insomnia or anxiety in some cases
Because it does not interact with alcohol, taking acamprosate while drinking does not cause dangerous reactions—but it also makes the medication less effective. Its real benefit comes when combined with abstinence.
Who Benefits Most
Individuals who have already completed detox or achieved initial abstinence.
Those committed to maintaining sobriety but struggling with post-withdrawal symptoms or cravings.
Patients with liver problems, for whom other medications (like naltrexone) may not be suitable.
Psychedelic Treatment:
Colorado & New Mexico
Why Psychedelics?
Psychedelics such as psilocybin (found in certain mushrooms) are gaining attention as powerful tools for healing when used in safe, guided settings. Research shows that psilocybin and other natural psychedelics may help people struggling with depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders by creating rapid symptom relief, promoting new perspectives, and supporting long-term behavior change when paired with therapy and integration.
Colorado: Regulated Natural Medicine Access
In 2022, Colorado voters approved the Natural Medicine Health Act (Proposition 122), which created one of the first regulated psychedelic access programs in the country.
What’s Legal Now
Psilocybin and Psilocin – These are the only psychedelics currently available in Colorado’s licensed healing centers for adults (21+).
Personal Use Decriminalization – Adults may personally possess, grow, and share psilocybin/psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline (excluding peyote).
What Services Look Like
Healing centers in Colorado provide a structured process that includes:
Screening – Reviewing health history to ensure safety.
Preparation – Goal-setting and planning before the session.
Supervised Administration – Facilitated use of psilocybin/psilocin in a licensed center.
Integration – Post-session support to apply insights into daily life.
What’s Coming in the Future
Starting in 2026, the state may expand regulated healing-center services to include DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline (excluding peyote), based on recommendations from the Natural Medicine Advisory Board.
New Mexico: Medical Psilocybin Program
In 2025, New Mexico became the first state to pass legislation creating a medical psilocybin program: the Medical Psilocybin Act (SB 219).
What’s Legal Now
The law focuses exclusively on psilocybin and psilocin.
These substances are removed from the state’s Schedule I list for medical purposes under this program.
How the Program Works
Medical Model – Psilocybin must be administered under the supervision of a licensed clinician in approved settings.
Eligible Conditions – Treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and end-of-life care.
Timeline – The program began in June 2025, with full rollout and access to clinics expected by December 2027.
Which Psychedelics Are Involved?
Colorado
Psilocybin / Psilocin Available now in licensed healing centers; also decriminalized for personal use.
DMT Decriminalized for personal possession; may be added to healing-center services after June 2026.
Ibogaine Decriminalized; may be added after June 2026.
Mescaline (non-peyote) Decriminalized; may be added after June 2026.
New Mexico
Psilocybin / Psilocin Central to the medical program; clinician-supervised for qualified conditions.
DMT Not included under current law.
Ibogaine Not included under current law.
Mescaline (non-peyote) Not included under current law.
Safety and Integration
While psychedelics offer great promise, they are not for everyone. People with certain medical or psychiatric conditions may not be good candidates, and all use should be carefully screened. Outcomes depend on more than the medicine itself—set, setting, and integration matter most.
The best results come when psychedelic experiences are combined with:
Professional facilitation
Ongoing psychotherapy or counseling
Community or peer support
Healthy lifestyle changes
A Note of Caution
Psychedelics are tools, not cures. They are not a “magic pill” or a substitute for other substances. The real healing comes from pairing these medicines with willful intent to change, emotional support, and structured aftercare.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): A Proven Approach to Change
What is CBT?
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is one of the most widely researched and effective forms of psychotherapy. It is a structured, goal-oriented approach that focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. The central idea is simple: by changing unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviors, people can improve their mood, reduce distress, and develop healthier coping strategies.
How It Works
CBT helps individuals recognize distorted or negative thoughts, challenge them, and replace them with more accurate, balanced perspectives. At the same time, it encourages the practice of healthier behaviors that reinforce positive change.
Key techniques include:
Cognitive restructuring – identifying and reframing unhelpful thoughts.
Behavioral activation – engaging in activities that promote pleasure, mastery, or connection.
Exposure therapy – gradually confronting fears in a safe, guided way.
Skills training – building coping skills like relaxation, problem-solving, or assertiveness.
Sessions often include homework assignments, journaling, or practice exercises between meetings, making CBT a very hands-on therapy.
What CBT Treats
CBT is highly adaptable and has been shown to be effective for:
Depression – reducing negative thinking patterns and increasing engagement in life.
Anxiety disorders – including panic disorder, phobias, OCD, and social anxiety.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) – reframing trauma-related thoughts and reducing hyperarousal.
Substance use disorders – addressing triggers, cravings, and relapse prevention.
Eating disorders – challenging body image distortions and unhealthy eating behaviors.
Insomnia – through a specialized form called CBT-I.
Because CBT is evidence-based, it’s often a first-line treatment recommended by doctors and mental health professionals.
Benefits of CBT
Short-term and focused – many people see progress in 12–20 sessions.
Practical skills – provides tools that can be used for life, not just during therapy.
Collaborative – the therapist and client work together as partners.
Flexible – can be delivered individually, in groups, or even online.
CBT in Addiction Treatment
In the context of addiction, CBT helps patients:
Identify triggers and high-risk situations.
Challenge beliefs that fuel substance use (“I can’t handle stress without drinking”).
Develop healthier coping strategies for cravings and stress.
Build relapse-prevention plans.
When combined with medication (such as naltrexone, acamprosate, or buprenorphine), CBT strengthens recovery by giving people the skills and mindset to maintain long-term sobriety.
Limitations and Considerations
CBT requires active participation, including homework, which may feel challenging for some.
It is less focused on exploring deep unconscious issues or early life experiences than other therapies.
Not every person responds to CBT alone—sometimes a combination of therapy, medication, and other supports is best.
Key Takeaways
CBT is a structured, skills-based therapy that focuses on changing thoughts and behaviors.
It is effective for depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, eating disorders, and more.
Short-term, practical, and collaborative, CBT equips people with tools they can use long after therapy ends.
Works especially well when integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan that includes medical care and social support.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is more than talk—it’s a practical roadmap for lasting change. By learning to reshape thoughts and behaviors, people can break free from unhealthy cycles and move toward healthier, more fulfilling lives.
The information provided on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Links to external sites, including those of specific medications, are provided solely for informational reference. We do not sell, endorse, or receive compensation for any products mentioned. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any medication or treatment.