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Joyous patient and Marine Corps veteran shares his story of overcoming depression, PTSD, and substance abuse issues he struggled with for years after serving in the military. Read his story and how Joyous microdose ketamine therapy has helped him on his journey toward living a more fulfilling life with his family.
The need for intervention into mental health care for veterans remains vital; with treatment options being historically inaccessible and expensive for those seeking treatment. Recently we had the opportunity to sit down with Michael Barakat, a Marine Corps veteran and Joyous patient, who was able to share about his search for an effective treatment. Mike had been with Joyous for over a year and has found significant relief with psycholytic ketamine treatment, empowering him to process unhealed trauma, become more present, and live a more fulfilling life.
Mike, a husband and father of two, has faced many ups and downs, including years of struggling with addiction and processing trauma from childhood and the military.
"I forgot who I really was," Mike says. Despite having a loving family and a stable life, he found himself caught in a cycle of substance abuse and unrelenting stress. "I’ve always been a hard worker, but I took it to extremes, often working seven days a week. I saw friends getting sick from stress, and I realized I needed to understand what was happening to me."
Previously Mike had tried numerous other treatment options including SSRI’s, hypnosis, rehab, and therapy-to name a few. Unfortunately these treatment modalities weren’t effective for him and he continued to be caught in a cycle of addiction and self-deprecating perspectives. He shares that “Joyous and their ketamine program are resources that are very, very different than anything else I’ve tried with a higher success rate”.
This led Mike to explore meditation and spirituality. Encouraged by his wife, he delved into spiritism and metaphysics. Though early attempts at meditation were challenging, persistence paid off. "I started learning about neuroscience and metaphysics, and I began to understand how deeply my childhood and military traumas were affecting me," he shares.
Through Mike’s spiritual exploration he began learning psychedelics and the research showing their potential for mental health treatment. Through Heroic Hearts, an organization that supports veterans struggling with mental health conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety, Mike was connected with Joyous to see if our microdose ketamine treatment could support his journey toward relief and joy.
"Ketamine treatment through Joyous has been a game-changer for me," Mike says. "It’s helped me stay present and not get caught up in past traumas or future worries."
He describes the treatment process as simple and effective. Joyous provides ketamine in small, manageable doses, along with consistent support. "I start my mornings with meditation and a walk in nature, and the ketamine enhances that experience. It allows me to fully appreciate the present moment."
Mike’s journey is not without challenges, but the benefits of ketamine have been profound. One memorable moment came when he accidentally locked his keys in his car before a doctor’s appointment.
"In the past, I’d have been furious. But this time, I stayed calm. I sent a message to my family, found ways to help others while I waited for AAA, and embraced the situation with gratitude. That’s the kind of shift ketamine has brought into my life.”
For those considering ketamine treatment, Mike offers advice: "If you’ve tried other treatments without success, give this a chance. It’s not just a medication; it’s a tool that works best when paired with intention."
He emphasizes the importance of setting intentions before each session, often focusing on gratitude. "Ketamine isn’t a magic pill. It’s like meditation on steroids, enhancing your ability to connect with the present moment and appreciate life."
Mike’s story is one of trial and tribulation and his journey to finding an effective treatment modality wasn’t seamless. For those seeking a fresh perspective, psycholytic ketamine treatment may be the shift needed to rid yourself of old patterns and foster new neural connections. If you are ready to see if ketamine therapy is an appropriate path for you, see if Joyous is right for you here: https://joyous.team.
