Continuing Ketamine Therapy in Asheville After Southern Ketamine

Hydrate Medical Asheville is Accepting New Ketamine Therapy Patients

Ketamine therapy for depression, treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain. Physician-led care, ER-trained nursing team, medical evaluation before treatment, monitored infusion, integration support.

What's Changed

Southern Ketamine, a primary ketamine therapy provider for Asheville and Western North Carolina, has closed. Patients in active treatment have ongoing care needs, and those gaps can be hard to manage.

Hydrate Medical Asheville is open, accepting new ketamine therapy patients, and ready to help you continue your care without an extended pause.

Conditions We Treat with Ketamine Therapy

Every patient receives a medical evaluation before treatment begins. Ketamine therapy is not appropriate for every patient, and a clinical evaluation determines fit.

Depression and Treatment-Resistant Depression

Ketamine has been studied as a rapid-acting option for patients who have not responded adequately to multiple antidepressant medications.

Learn more about ketamine for depression →

PTSD

Peer-reviewed research supports ketamine's use for post-traumatic stress disorder, including for veterans and survivors of trauma.

Learn more about ketamine for PTSD →

Anxiety

For patients with generalized anxiety and treatment-resistant anxiety, ketamine therapy is an option to discuss with a licensed clinician.

Learn more about ketamine for anxiety →

Chronic Pain

Ketamine has long-established use in pain medicine. We offer infusion protocols for select chronic pain conditions including fibromyalgia, CRPS, and neuropathic pain.

Learn more about ketamine for chronic pain →

Treatment Options at Hydrate Asheville

Two approaches to ketamine therapy. The right one depends on your goals, history, and clinical evaluation.

Ketamine Infusion Therapy

Medically monitored IV infusion in a private treatment room. Each session is supervised by trained medical staff, with vital signs monitored throughout. Sessions typically run 40 to 60 minutes of active infusion, with additional time for pre-treatment evaluation and post-treatment recovery before you leave.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP)

Ketamine administered alongside a licensed therapist for integration-focused care. KAP combines the neurochemical effects of ketamine with psychotherapy, with sessions designed for patients who want guided emotional and cognitive integration during and after dosing.

Learn more about KAP →

Most patients work with their clinician to choose one approach. Some patients transition between approaches as treatment progresses.

What to Expect

1

Phone Consult

Free, about 15 minutes. We answer your questions, confirm whether ketamine therapy is a fit, and schedule your medical evaluation. If you have prior treatment records from Southern Ketamine or any previous provider, bring them.

2

Medical Evaluation

A licensed clinician reviews your medical history, current medications, mental health history, and treatment goals. This is an independent evaluation. Prior dosing protocols will be reviewed but cannot be automatically continued without our own clinical assessment.

3

Infusion or KAP Series

If you are cleared for treatment, your clinician will recommend a protocol. Most patients begin with an initial series of sessions followed by maintenance dosing based on response.

Our Clinical Approach

The Hydrate Medical team is physician-led, with over 90% of our clinical staff trained in emergency medicine. That means our nurses and providers have managed thousands of patients in the highest-acuity settings before joining our team. For ketamine therapy, that background matters: monitored infusions, vital sign tracking, and rapid response to any side effect are standard practice for us.

We do not promise outcomes. We offer evidence-informed care, careful monitoring, and integration support between sessions.

Pricing and Payment

Ketamine therapy is typically not covered by insurance and is paid out of pocket. Many patients use HSA or FSA accounts where eligible.

We provide a clear written estimate before treatment begins. No surprise charges. Series and maintenance pricing is reviewed during your phone consult.

Transferring Care from Southern Ketamine

If you were in active treatment at Southern Ketamine, here is what to bring and what to expect.

  • Bring prior treatment records if available. Dosing history, treatment plan, and any clinical notes help us understand your treatment arc.
  • Plan for an independent medical evaluation. State and federal regulations require us to conduct our own clinical assessment before continuing care. We cannot match prior dosing protocols without this step.
  • Expect a brief gap-management conversation. If your last dose was more than 30 to 60 days ago, your clinician will discuss whether to re-introduce treatment with a starting protocol or to taper toward maintenance.

We respect the work you've done with your prior provider. Our goal is continuity of care without unnecessary friction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ketamine FDA approved?

Ketamine is FDA approved as an anesthetic and has been in clinical use since 1970. Use for depression, PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain is considered off-label and is supported by peer-reviewed research. Spravato (esketamine) is FDA approved for treatment-resistant depression and is available only at REMS-certified providers.

What conditions do you treat with ketamine therapy?

Depression, treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain (including fibromyalgia, CRPS, and neuropathic pain). Every patient is evaluated for fit before treatment.

How long is each session?

A typical infusion session runs 40 to 60 minutes of active infusion, with 15 to 30 minutes of pre-treatment evaluation and post-treatment recovery time. Plan for 1.5 to 2 hours total at the clinic.

How many sessions will I need?

Most patients start with an initial series of 4 to 6 sessions over 2 to 3 weeks, followed by maintenance dosing based on response. Your clinician will tailor the protocol to your goals.

What are the side effects?

Common side effects include dissociation during the infusion, mild nausea, elevated blood pressure, and transient blurred vision. Most resolve within an hour after the session. Rare side effects are reviewed during your medical evaluation.

Do I need a referral?

No. You can book a phone consult directly. If you have a treating psychiatrist or therapist, we recommend coordinated care and will share records with your written consent.

Can I drive after?

No. You will need a ride home after each infusion or KAP session. We do not discharge patients to drive on the day of treatment.

How is this different from Spravato?

Spravato (esketamine) is a nasal spray FDA approved for treatment-resistant depression and is available only at REMS-certified providers. IV ketamine therapy is a separate option, supported by peer-reviewed research, that allows for individualized dosing protocols and use for a broader range of conditions including PTSD, anxiety, and chronic pain. Your clinician will help you decide which is the right fit.

Ready to Talk?

The first step is a 15-minute phone consult. No commitment, no pressure. We answer your questions and let you decide.

Book a Phone Consult
Call us: 828.365.6044
Visit: Hydrate Medical Asheville, 190 Hendersonville Rd Suite 30, Asheville, NC 28803

Ketamine therapy is not appropriate for every patient. A medical evaluation by a licensed clinician is required prior to treatment. Individual results vary. This page is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice.