CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — For people living with clinical depression and other mood disorders, ketamine represents hope and healing. Dr. Eric Evans created Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center with the goal of helping patients get back to living a passionate, rewarding and productive life as quickly as possible.
Desert Sands Ketamine has opened new doors for patients throughout Southern Utah and beyond, but Evans knows there are countless others who have yet to reach out because they’re unsure of how or where to seek help. In some cases, the solution is having a trusted loved one take that first step.
Mental health disorders create a ripple effect through family and social circles, impacting not only the person who’s been diagnosed but also the people closest to them. Evans encourages spouses, parents, siblings and friends to watch for signs of worsening depression, such as social withdrawal, lack of motivation, increased use of alcohol or other substances and frequent expressions of anger, sadness or hopelessness.
“Depression takes many forms,” he said. “There isn’t just one cookie-cutter model of a person that has depression.”
Learning about ketamine
Desert Sands Ketamine administers ketamine in low doses via IV infusion. Although relatively new in treating depression, ketamine has been used for sedation and pain relief by physicians worldwide since the 1970s. On the therapeutic level, it works within an area of the brain called the amygdala, which processes moods and emotions in the conscious mind.
While most antidepressants focus on boosting serotonin or dopamine levels, ketamine instead elevates a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Evans highlighted ongoing research at Yale University indicating that depression and other mental health disorders are caused by a shortage of this protein.
In clinical trials, ketamine demonstrated a success rate of 70%, nearly double that of antidepressants. And while prescription drugs for depression typically take between four and eight weeks to reach maximum efficacy, many ketamine patients start feeling better after their first infusion.
A new frontier
Offering lasting results with virtually no side effects, Evans hails ketamine as a “wonder drug” for patients struggling with treatment-resistant depression and other mood disorders. Having worked as a board-certified anesthesiologist for nearly 30 years, he said he’s never been as excited about a new development in medicine.
“It’s very difficult to get outside of ourselves and be open to new suggestions and looking at issues in a different way,” Evans said. “Ketamine can really help open a patient’s mind to be more receptive, helping them change their way of thinking.”
For many patients, ketamine lays the foundation to reshape detrimental thought and behavior patterns with the help of additional resources. Desert Sands Ketamine provides support systems to improve all aspects of well-being, including dietary guidance, meditation, massage therapy, relationship counseling and talk therapy.
Reaching out
Evans said about 75% of new patient inquiries the clinic receives are from people seeking help for themselves, and the rest are on behalf of someone they care about. Many patients refer friends and family members after experiencing success with ketamine.
The patient experience always begins with a free consultation, either by phone or in person, to discuss their issues and determine if ketamine is right for them. Desert Sands Ketamine encourages every patient’s loved ones to play an active role in the treatment process by providing educational materials to help them understand ketamine, what the goals and expectations are and how they can offer support.
“We want to see them involved,” Evans said. “We love having a family approach to the issue, because it is a family issue.”
Why Desert Sands Ketamine
Desert Sands Ketamine was recognized as the Best of Southern Utah in 2021, winning gold in alternative therapies as well as silver in the behavioral/mental health treatment category. The clinic offers a comfortable healing environment with caring and compassionate staff, all of whom are dedicated to helping every patient achieve the best results possible.
As a native of the St. George area, Evans said his desire to give back to the community truly comes from his heart. He is committed to helping people experience joy in life again.
“There’s a huge need in Southern Utah,” he said. “I just want to help as many people as I can.”
For more information or to schedule a free consultation, visit the Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center website or call 435-522-5190.
Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.
• S P O N S O R E D C O N T E N T •
Resources
- Desert Sands Ketamine Treatment Center | Address: 346 E. 600 South, St. George | Telephone: 435-522-5190 | Email: [email protected] | Website.
Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2022, all rights reserved.