Estimated read time: 4-5 minutes
There's no doubt Americans suffer from depression at alarming rates; what's more concerning, however, is that those rates are rapidly rising. In fact, according to a 2023 Gallup report, 29% of U.S. adults reported a depression diagnosis at some point in their lives. That number is up more than 10% since 2015.
For those currently suffering from depression, relief may be in sight from an unexpected source. An old anesthetic drug, ketamine, is emerging as a cost-effective and promising therapy option, challenging conventional treatment approaches like SSRIs and SNRIs.
A new option
Ketamine, traditionally used in anesthesia, has been gaining significant traction in treating depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). According to Ketamine SLC, a leading provider of ketamine treatment in Salt Lake City, ketamine therapy demonstrates effectiveness in 70-75% of patients suffering from severe depression, offering up to 100 days of complete symptom relief following a single treatment.
Traditional ketamine therapy does not routinely get 100 days of freedom from depression, but ketamine treatment utilizing the KISSD system (Ketamine Intramuscular Stepped System for Depression) can claim that 75% of patients get 100 days of depression freedom.
Ketamine's remarkable success rate stands in stark contrast to more conventional pharmacological treatments. In fact, one study in World Psychiatry shows SSRIs and SNRIs offer only moderately better symptom relief than placebo. What's more, this lower effectiveness is combined with an increased risk of significant side effects such as hypertension and diabetes, according to findings reported by Diabetes Care.
Cost considerations
While the upfront cost of ketamine therapy might seem higher than the generally low cost of traditional antidepressants, considering long-term cost-effectiveness is essential. Unlike SSRIs and SNRIs, which require daily dosing and constant medical monitoring due to their side effects, ketamine offers a longer-lasting solution with fewer treatments and minimal side effects.
And if traditional antidepressant therapy sounds cheap, consider this: In 2020, the global mental disorder drugs market was valued at $37 billion and projected to increase to $59 billion by 2031 according to Vision Gain. This astronomical sum is primarily driven by the long-term use of minimally effective drugs and the necessary treatment of their side effects, leading to inflated ongoing healthcare costs.
Conversely, a single ketamine treatment, while more expensive than most SSRI prescriptions, can provide up to 100 days of depression-free living, substantially reducing the frequency of treatments and eliminating the need for daily medications. In the long run, these less frequent treatments can result in significant cost savings for patients and the healthcare system.
We have seen firsthand the incredible change ketamine therapy can bring to people's lives. It's not just about the immediate relief; it's also about giving patients a break from the financial and emotional toll that constant treatments can take.
–Dr. Robert Hiemstra
Cost-effective and effective
The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of ketamine therapy is making many practitioners and patients reconsider mental health treatment, moving away from ineffective daily drugs in favor of treatments that offer longer-lasting relief.
"We have seen firsthand the incredible change ketamine therapy can bring to people's lives. It's not just about the immediate relief; it's also about giving patients a break from the financial and emotional toll that constant treatments can take," Dr. Robert Hiemstra, a psychiatrist and founder of Ketamine SLC said.
New methods, new challenges
While ketamine therapy has proven beneficial to individual patients, widespread ketamine therapy adoption could also benefit society as a whole. Efficiently addressing mental health disorders could potentially reduce the societal burden of these conditions, creating healthier and happier communities.
However, the widespread adoption of ketamine therapy isn't without challenges either. Skepticism and lack of awareness about this form of therapy, driven by ketamine's reputation as a party drug, have kept many patients and health professionals from adopting it as an effective treatment for depression.
That said, an increasing body of research, along with positive patient testimonials demonstrate that ketamine holds incredible potential in the fight for better mental health. With continued research and patient education, the stigma surrounding ketamine therapy may gradually fade, allowing more people to access its myriad benefits.
Notwithstanding those challenges, organizations like Ketamine SLC continue to advocate for and provide ketamine therapy, helping patients with depression, anxiety and PTSD get the relief they've long awaited. As more patients experience the effectiveness of ketamine treatment, the United States may start to experience a new era of effective, long-lasting depression relief.
A new hope
If you're struggling with mental health disorders, ketamine therapy offers more than just symptom relief; it offers hope for a better future. With its impressive success rate and long-term cost-effectiveness, ketamine therapy may be the key to Americans' happier, healthier future.
Find out if ketamine is a good option for you. Contact Ketamine SLC for an appointment to discuss your road to recovery.
