FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is an IV?

    'IV' is an acronym for intravenous. Intravenous is a route of medication and fluid administration for rapid hydration and increased bioavailability of vitamins, minerals, drugs, or other substances. When you have an IV at Help Specialist, you get a small catheter introduced into a vein, usually in your hand or arm. The catheter is made of a polymer and there is no needle left inside once it has been successfully introduced.

  • Will the IV hurt?

    We are trained professionals that take special care to perform your IV as painlessly as possible. We can even provide some anesthetic to numb the area beforehand for a small fee. Even when we do it without the anesthesia, however, most people describe the feeling of the introduction of the IV catheter as a pinch or brief stinging feeling. In any event, once people experience the benefits of our IV therapies, almost everyone finds it worth the mild discomfort one may briefly experience with the IV start. 

  • How long will it take?

    Typically, our IV ketamnine infusions are approximately 40 mins. We will regulate the flow rate of the IV to your individualized response. Anytime your treatment takes longer than usual we will let you know and explain why.

  • Who evaluates me for Ketamine therapy?

    Our Emory-trained psychiatrist, Bryan Price, MD, will evaluate you and decide what specific treatment parameters are indicated. If you have a mental health provider or team, Dr. Price will work closely with them and your team will still handle all your other medications and psychotherapy.

  • Who will perform my IV?

    The IV placement and actual infusion care and monitoring is performed by a talented team of experts, led by a licensed anesthesia provider. Ketamine is a class of drug known as a dissociative anesthetic. We provide the highest level of safety by having an anesthesia professional oversee the IV infusion team. This helps ensure your IV is placed as comfortably and skillfully as possible and the infusions are administered in accordance with Dr. Price's prescriptive specifications. 

  • Why Help Specialist?

    While many people who have benefitted from Ketamine therapy traveling to places like Atlanta and Gainesville, clients living in Athens, Georgia and nearby cities & towns now enjoy the convenience of getting the treatments locally with Help Specialist. 


    Many other potential new clients are curious about how Ketamine infusion therapy works. These individuals are happy to learn that the procedure is pleasant and provided by a team that includes a psychiatrist and highly trained anesthesia providers. After all, Ketamine is an anesthetic and who better to direct the infusion of an anesthetic agent. 


    At Help Specialist, our goal is to ensure your visits are as comfortable and pleasant as possible. Most of our clients find the procedure painless and they are usually surprised to realize that they may be experiencing positive benefits as soon as a few hours after the treatment.

  • What should I expect during my Ketamine Infusion?

    The word infusion alone can create some questions. Some studies have demonstrated that the infusion method of delivery often provides benefits that may be optimal to injections that are more like "shots" as people may call them, meaning intramuscular or subcutaneous injections. 


    A Ketamine infusion at Help Specialist will be administered over 40 minutes for most indications. The doses used are much less than used in an anesthetic application so the procedure is very safe. You won't lose consciousness during the Ketamine treatment. While receiving the infusion, some clients may have an altered perception, which may include things like alterations in colors and time. Most patients find the experience, scientifically referred to as a dissociative experience, to be pleasant. 


    Once the treatment is complete, the drugs effects usually wear off over 15-30 minutes. Clients leave the clinic feeling like themselves except for a mild tiredness. There are no "flashbacks" or other delayed effects.

  • Will Ketamine infusions help Treatment Resistant Depression?

    While no outcome of Ketamine therapy can be guaranteed, the experience of the team at Help Specialist is very positive and encouraging. There are many clinical trials and peer reviewed research studies that have demonstrated that Ketamine infusions result in positive benefits for between 70-80% of those who have the therapy. Since we are not in clinical trials, we can tailor a treatment regimen that individualizes the dosage and frequency of infusions that may optimize the chances of success. 

  • How many infusions will I need?

    For clients who experience a benefit from initial Ketamine treatments, our team will review all aspects of your comprehensive history, including your response to the initial therapy. We may recommend a series of infusion in close proximity to maximize Ketamine's cumulative and brain repairing benefits. This could be 4 to 6 infusions over a period of several days or a few weeks. Each person has unique needs.


    Most clients who undergo a series of infusions see more improvement a day or so after the infusions. Even though this may seem to peak after two or three infusions, it is very important to follow the prescribed regimen. Once the initial series of infusions is complete, together the client and our team collaborate to design a maintenance program that maintains the benefits. The duration between maintenance infusions or "boosters" can be a few weeks to as much as 3 months or more for some. The typical period of relief between maintenance infusions is around 4-6 weeks.

  • Will my infusions be covered by insurance?

    Typically, intravenous Ketamine infusion therapy is not covered by insurance companies. Help Specialist does not file insurance claims. We take cash, debit, and most major credit cards.

  • How soon can I be evaluated for Ketamine therapy?​

    Usually, we can accomodate new clients within a matter of a few days and on occasion, the same day. Once evaluated and the therapy is deemed appropriate, our goal is to have new clients begin treatment as soon as possible, usually the same day as the assessment.

  • Do I have to see a psychiatrist to be approved for Ketamine?

    A referral from a psychiatrist or other specialist is typical, but not required for Ketamine Infusion Therapy. Our team's psychiatrist will conduct an assessment as part of your initial infusion evaluation.  Pre and post treatment depression assessments are conducted during your treatment course that our psychiatrist reviews to monitor the efficacy of Ketamine treatments for you. The team   continually monitors your progress to tailor the most successful treatment plan.

  • What are the highs and lows of Ketamine infusion therapy?

    The Highs and Lows


    High: Ketamine Infusion Doctors Athens GA has a proven track record of success rates with clients undergoing Ketamine Infusion Therapy in our care. Our Medical Director, a psychiatrist, and Clinical Director, an anesthesia provider, are licensed and board-certified. All services offered at Help Specialist Athens GA are directed by a physician.


    Low: Ketamine infusion therapy is not covered by insurance as off-label use. However, the studies are compelling. Be sure and explore the 'Research' page for real peer-reviewed, evidence-based data that demonstrate the compelling and extraordinary results experienced by many. The referenced studies and research projects can be helpful in your consideration to undergo therapy.


    High: Ketamine has been in safe, effective use since the Vietnam War as an anesthetic, and has been studied in a large volume of patients both as an anesthetic, and more recently for use in mental health applications. 


    Low: Ketamine was developed and is used as an anesthetic for humans and animals under the supervision of an anesthesia provider. 


    High: Physical side effects of Ketamine albeit rare, typically dissipate quickly, and in a matter of minutes.


    Low: Due to the effect of Ketamine on a patient’s ability to safely drive, they will need to arrange for a ride home following each treatment and not drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours after a Ketamine infusion.


    High: Ketamine is effective in a high number of patients who have undergone other unsuccessful treatments because Ketamine works differently than most other treatments for depression. 


    High: Ketamine Infusion has been observed to assist patients struggling with suicidal thoughts, both those caused by depression and those caused by other mental health disorders.


    Low: Because Ketamine is such a potent drug, it should only be used under strict supervision of a trained healthcare professional, experienced in the actual delivery, monitoring, and titration of Ketamine Infusion Therapy.


    Overall, although it is an "off-label" treatment and there is still more to discover about how and why it works, our IV Ketamine Infusion Doctors see at least a 75 to 85% success rate in treating patients, even those with Treatment-Resistant Depression. 

Contact Us

Please use the following contact form to send an email to us:

Our Location

740 Prince Ave Ste 12B

Athens, GA 30606

By Appointment Only 
Monday-Friday: 9:00 am-6:00 pm 
Sat: Closed 
Sun: Closed
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