Joseph tried treating his alcoholism alone when his wife discovered ketamine. Not knowing what to expect, Joseph succeeded with treatment— sparking his wife Andrea to try Ketamine treatment as well. What started as a need for a solution resulted in the mending of a marriage and two unexpected journeys toward inner peace.

Joseph, tell us a little about yourself and what led you to ketamine.

I've been in the jewelry retail space since 1977. I'm a graduate of Penn State University, and I joined an organization called Continental, where I met my current wife, Andrea. My problem throughout my adult life has been alcohol. I am an alcoholic, and I tried treating my alcoholism alone. However, no matter what I tried, I'd always fall off the wagon and return to alcohol. I've even tried hypnosis, which worked until I fell off the wagon again. 

Shortly after that, my wife, who was at her wits end on how to help me, began looking for treatment centers when she heard about a new solution to alcoholism. It wasn't long before we made an at the Ketamine Lounge, where it was recommended that I take a prescription that curbs my desire for alcohol and try ketamine. I learned what I should expect from the treatment, and I had my first session later that same day and am currently on a monthly regime. Since joining AA and my first ketamine session, I have been sober for about seven months.

Congrats on your sobriety. I know many AA sectors have started involving the use of psychedelics as part of the program. With this, did you have any expectations of your first ketamine experience?

Well, "drugs" have never been something I've relied on; I had no idea what to expect. I did, however, feel reassured by the team there, so I thought, "Why not try it"? I felt like I had nothing to lose and everything to gain, and quite frankly, I'm glad I went through it. 

"The lounges are a very relaxed atmosphere, and I loved the music played during the experience."

How did you feel after your first treatment?

At the end of the first treatment, I felt very pleased. I had somehow escaped reality and just let the ketamine guide me. The lounges are a very relaxed atmosphere, and I loved the music played during the experience. When I'm in that mental state, listening to the music, particularly the piano, it feels like I'm playing it myself. I play it very well (not that I can), but when I'm in that state, I'm just fabulous at it.

Did you notice any changes in the days after your first experience?

I felt calmer. I didn't feel as anxious. Luckily, I could start my prescription (the one that curbs my desire for alcohol) during the ketamine treatment, so here I was, days without a drink and not having that desire. Equally, I felt a difference in my overall demeanor. I felt at ease on a deeper level. 

How have your ketamine sessions evolved?

In my first couple of treatments, I wasn't letting go entirely. I'd let things like nuances with work or just everyday life take over my thoughts. I just wasn't a hundred percent relaxed. Letting the Ketamine take the lead was difficult initially because my mind was going in a thousand different directions. Once we increased my dose, I could finally hit a level where my mind wasn't racing, and I was concentrating on getting the full effect of the Ketamine.

Did you experience any visuals in the sessions?

Yes, there's been some very realistic visual experiences that I've had. I've been on a plane overlooking the Aspen Mountains. I even reenacted a memory when I was in the Boy Scouts–– we were camping down at a River Bank and had rain that night. Due to the heavy rains, my raft went down the river. In the Ketamine treatment, I experienced that memory again first-hand. It felt like I was on a raft going down a river; I could hear the sounds from the nearby waterfall and pouring rain. 

That sounds like quite the scene. Were there any other visuals that stuck with you?

Oh, yes. In another one of my treatments, my dad came to see me and was frustrated with me. He was talking to me about my relationship with my wife and told me I had something exceptional. It felt so natural–– like a genuine "man-to-man" conversation, and it was heartfelt. I couldn't help but feel immense emotion and amazement at the experience. 

"The combination of ketamine and AA expanded upon my spiritual beliefs."

Wow, that's very moving. Have these experiences affected you on a spiritual level?

The combination of ketamine and AA expanded upon my spiritual beliefs. I grew up Catholic but haven't practiced my religion in a while. I believe in God, but I don't think in a structured religion. In AA, it's spiritual when considering the terms of its fellowship to get through the program. Simply speaking, a part of the fellowship is the agreement to believe in a higher power. In doing so, you relinquish yourself to a higher power to help you get through your alcohol abuse, so having these experiences in combination with the program has been very impactful.

In what other ways have you seen an impact?

The sessions have helped me take a deep breath and relax before I react. I work with my wife, Andrea, almost daily, and owning the same businesses is a lot to manage. Before Ketamine, we did not have a good working relationship. Admittedly, Andrea did 99% of the heavy workload. Now, things are much more balanced, and I think it's been a combination of willpower, AA, fellowship, and the Ketamine treatments. I have a session scheduled for this Thursday and look forward to going. I know how great I'll feel after the treatment and enjoy the aftereffects. 

Anything else you'd like to share with us?

I want to add I think a lot of my progress has to do with Dane and the actual Ketamine Lounge itself. It's so conducive to what you're trying to achieve. I mean, the whole environment, their personalities, their words, and how they explain it–– all the dots have to connect for it to work, and at the Ketamine Lounge, they do. 

If you could describe your ketamine experience in one word, what would it be?

Life Changing.

Andrea has played a crucial role in Joseph's recovery. During the process, she decided to try ketamine for herself. 

Andrea, What led you to try ketamine?

I was under a lot of stress and had gained a lot of anger throughout supporting Joseph. Shortly after Joseph's first treatment, I was at the Ketamine Lounge filling out the initial forms for myself when one of my best friends walked into the room for ketamine treatment. I just started crying. It made me realize so many others are doing it and seeing the benefits but don't discuss it. So the next time I went with Joeseph for his treatment, I had my first treatment.

Did you have any reservations about doing ketamine?

The only reservation I had was my desire to control the experience. I was worried about having a bad experience. However, the team at The Ketamine Lounge explained the process to me, calmed my nerves, and allowed me to release control.

"I think ketamine made me realize that you can't live in the past. It has truly helped me overcome my anger more than anything."

How did your ketamine sessions change your relationship with Joseph?

I'm not as angry at Joeseph because I see him working hard, getting well, and wanting to be different. Now, I concentrate on all the positives and don't think about any negative energy–– It's a new day. I think ketamine made me realize that you can't live in the past. It has genuinely helped me let go of my anger more than anything. I feel like a calmer person.

Have you found that ketamine treatment has helped you even further than in your relationship?

Yes. In my business, people have known me since I was 23 years old. They know that I've got the craziest temper in the world now. For example, if somebody had ever told me they were not going to buy an ad in my magazine or they were not going to come to my next show, I would lose it. Now, I don't take it so personally. I'm a completely different person. I'm not as anxious or stressed. It's amazing.

How would you say your relationship with Joseph has changed since both of your treatments?

We both have a lot more patience. The patience factor with Ketamine is vital because when Joeseph and I disagree, I stop and think before reacting. We are no longer fighting about the littlest things. We don't sweat the small stuff. We trust that we'll figure it out. It just all falls into place, and it never happened that way before I did the Ketamine. It truly has changed my life. 

That's incredible. If you could describe your ketamine experience in one word, what would it be?

Calming.

If you connected with the above write-up, are curious, and need some guidance, psychedelic medicines such as Ketamine can really support this process of healing, self-discovery, and purpose. Click below to find out more.

Author: Bre Jenkins

Bre Jenkins, a certified health coach, previously worked in mainstream wellness before shifting her focus to energy healing and psychedelic medicine to support deep healing and personal expansion. She is certified in Reiki levels 1, 2, and 3, as well as Inner Dance and Psychedelic Integration. Her work has been featured in major publications, and she is also a significant voice in the psychedelics space, contributing to renowned psychedelic companies such as Doubleblind Mag, Third Wave, The Ancestor Project, and more.