Ketamine Offers Hope for People Battling Severe Depression, Suicidal Thoughts

Mount Horeb, Wisconsin – A few months ago, Alan Ferguson felt ready to end his life once again. In 2014, he had already attempted suicide twice, and now, at age 54, those same overwhelming thoughts of wanting to die were resurfacing.

Diagnosed with clinical depression at 18, Ferguson estimates he has tried over a dozen medications, including SSRIs, SNRIs, and tricyclic antidepressants, with little to no improvement. “I never really felt, ‘OK, I’m doing well,’” he said. “It was more like, ‘This is bearable.’ But even then, the dark thoughts never fully left.”

In early May, Ferguson suddenly stopped taking all his prescribed medications, left his job, and even gave away his beloved dog, Zeke. That same night, he called his sister, Linda, for what he thought would be their final conversation.

“It was a meaningful talk,” Ferguson recalled. “Linda and I don’t always see eye-to-eye, but that night I stayed away from contentious topics. I didn’t want her to remember our last conversation negatively.”

As fate would have it, the next day Ferguson had a scheduled call with his psychiatrist, who offered to refer him to a ketamine clinic in Milwaukee, located about 90 minutes from his home.

Ketamine, primarily used as an anesthetic in hospitals, has shown promise in recent studies for treating severe depression and suicidal ideation. Though also known for its illicit use as the recreational drug “Special K,” which produces intense highs and dissociative effects, Ferguson’s familiarity with its street reputation from his days as a police officer didn’t deter him.

“I knew about its illegal use,” Ferguson said. “But after all the traditional medications I’d tried without success, I figured maybe there was something to this treatment. I wasn’t afraid of trying something new — I was afraid it would just be another failed attempt.”