Wade P., a Navy veteran, has a story that resonates with many who have served and struggled to transition back to civilian life. His journey is one marked by deep depression, frustration with the Veterans Affairs (VA) system, and an attempted suicide. It culminates in a story of hope through ketamine therapy at Avesta.
Wade’s Story
After leaving the military, Wade reached a point where he had “pretty much given up hope.” He felt overwhelmed by the VA’s ineffective treatments and frustrated with the lack of support.
Wade’s time in the Navy gave him a sense of camaraderie and purpose among his fellow service members. However, the sense of community vanished when he returned to civilian life. The adjustment was not easy, and Wade soon found himself struggling.
Frustration with the VA’s mental health treatment
Like many veterans, Wade faced the challenges of adjusting to civilian life while dealing with the lingering effects of service.
Initially, Wade turned to the VA for help, but he encountered an overwhelmed and underprepared system that could not meet his needs.
Instead of personalized care, the VA gave Wade a revolving door of medications, Zoloft, Prozac, and others, which left him feeling worse.
Wade described the situation in an interview with Avesta’s care team: “They just keep switching it up […] They don’t have any kind of titrating [process]. Or they’ll call you and say ‘you know what? This medicine’s too expensive. We’re going to stop it and switch it.’”
Along with medication issues, Wade’s therapy sessions were few and far between. As he explained, “I only had a couple. And they don’t know you. […] You’re just a number to them.”
The overwhelming amount of paperwork did not help.
“You get denied, and then you have to resubmit… You’ve got to keep on them. You’ve got to stay on that.”
Wade added that many people become so angry by the process that they give up before completing treatment.
A Dark Turn
Eventually, the weight of his struggles became too much. Wade was in such deep despair that he attempted suicide, an all too common tragedy in the veterans’ community.
Fortunately, he failed. And the experience pulled him back from the brink. He realized “[Suicide’s] a permanent solution to a temporary problem.”
Recognizing that the VA was not providing the support he needed, Wade contacted his private primary care doctor.
“I said, look, I need help. If I don’t get help, I’m not going to be around.”
This moment of vulnerability marked the beginning of a new chapter in his journey toward recovery.
Finding Hope with Ketamine Therapy
Wade’s private primary care doctor connected him with a trusted therapist and started him on medication to stabilize his condition. This intervention marked a significant turning point in his treatment. However, Wade’s physician recognized that traditional therapies alone might not be enough. After discussing Wade’s ongoing struggles, she introduced the idea of ketamine therapy as a potential alternative.
Initially, Wade hesitated, uncertain about ketamine’s role outside of anesthesia. He admitted, “Anytime you hear ketamine, you think of surgery or anesthesia, and that’s not the case.” However, after researching the treatment and reading studies, Wade agreed to try it.
Wade’s doctor recommended Avesta Ketamine and Wellness (Avesta).
How Ketamine Relieved Wade’s Depression
Shortly after, Wade began receiving infusions and found the experience profoundly calming.
“It’s like being wrapped up in a nice dark blanket and allowing yourself to feel a weight lifted off.”
The sessions didn’t produce visual hallucinations but offered him a mental respite.
Wade emphasized that ketamine infusions weren’t a miracle cure. But the protocol enhanced the healing process, allowing him to “level up” and open up more during therapy sessions.
He reflected, “[Ketamine] ties in with everything. It ties in with your medicine. It ties in with your therapy, where you can be a productive citizen.”
Support from Avesta
The support Wade received at Avesta was crucial to his recovery.
One critical aspect was the clinic’s collaborative approach with Wade’s existing healthcare providers. Avesta didn’t operate in isolation; the clinic communicated directly with Wade’s doctors to ensure a holistic and well-coordinated plan.
This partnership allowed Avesta to tailor Wade’s ketamine therapy to his specific needs. It also allowed Wade to develop a deep trust and appreciation for the clinic’s staff, something he hadn’t felt previously with VA providers. That trust took time to build but was ultimately solidified through thorough care and support.
“You’ve always looked out for me,” said Wade.
A Message of Hope
Wade’s experience with ketamine therapy offers hope to veterans and others trapped in a cycle of depression and despair.
His advice is simple but profound: “Don’t give up.” There are people out there who care, and with the right help, it’s possible to find a way forward.
