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Battling alcohol dependence often feels like a relentless cycle—especially when emotional triggers, cravings, or unresolved trauma keep pulling you back.
At Tennessee Ketamine & Wellness Center in Franklin, we’re here to support individuals who are committed to breaking free from alcohol use with a treatment approach that offers new possibilities where others have fallen short.
Through medically supervised ketamine infusions, we provide a therapeutic option that targets the brain on a neurological level—particularly for those who haven’t responded well to traditional addiction treatments alone.
While ketamine is not a cure or stand-alone treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD), it can play a powerful role when integrated into a comprehensive recovery plan. Many patients report reduced cravings, improved emotional regulation, and greater clarity—offering a valuable bridge to deeper healing.
Ketamine’s value in treating alcohol dependence lies in its impact on both the glutamate and dopamine systems—critical networks that shape motivation, habit formation, and cravings.
By inhibiting NMDA receptors and increasing glutamate in areas of the brain tied to decision-making and reward processing, ketamine encourages synaptic plasticity—your brain’s ability to change and adapt.
In practical terms, this creates a short-lived but significant “reset window,” during which patients may find it easier to reevaluate destructive behaviors and resist compulsive urges.
Emerging research shows that when ketamine is combined with therapy or other supportive modalities, it may help reduce the risk of relapse and strengthen treatment adherence.
At Tennessee Ketamine & Wellness Center, we are among the few providers offering ketamine specifically for AUD support in a safe, structured setting. Every plan is individualized—designed in collaboration with your care team, therapist, or psychiatrist when applicable.
Before treatment begins, you’ll complete a thorough intake process, which includes a full medical and psychological evaluation. We’ll review your alcohol use history, past treatments, and current recovery goals to determine whether ketamine is appropriate.
If you’re a candidate, you’ll receive your first infusion in a quiet, private treatment room at our Franklin clinic.
Each session typically lasts around 40 minutes and involves a low, sub-anesthetic dose of IV ketamine. Throughout the session, you’ll remain awake but relaxed as our team monitors your blood pressure, heart rate, and emotional response.
It’s common to experience mild, temporary dissociative effects such as floating sensations, dream-like awareness, or altered perceptions—but these generally resolve within an hour.
After the infusion, we’ll observe you for a short recovery period before you return home, and we’ll check in afterward to evaluate your response and guide your ongoing care.
This treatment is often considered for adults with treatment-resistant AUD—those who have completed therapy, 12-step programs, or medical detox but still struggle with recurring cravings or emotional triggers.
It is particularly well-suited for individuals with co-occurring conditions, such as depression, anxiety, or trauma-related symptoms, which often increase relapse risk.
Candidates must be willing to engage in a broader recovery plan that may include behavioral therapy, peer support, or psychiatric care.
Our clinical team conducts a comprehensive screening to confirm medical eligibility and ensure that ketamine fits safely and effectively within your personal recovery journey.
Ketamine may significantly lessen the frequency and intensity of alcohol-related urges, giving individuals more freedom to stay aligned with recovery goals.
Through its influence on neuroplasticity, ketamine can lift depression, reduce emotional flatness (anhedonia), and spark renewed motivation for change.
When paired with structured therapy or support programs, ketamine has shown promise in lowering the risk of relapse and improving treatment engagement.
Unlike many antidepressants or anti-craving medications, ketamine’s effects are often felt within hours of the first session, offering immediate hope and momentum.
We coordinate closely with your existing therapist or provider to create a seamless and integrated treatment experience tailored to your goals and medical profile.
If alcohol use has strained your relationships, clouded your mental health, or derailed your sense of purpose, ketamine therapy could be a vital part of your recovery toolkit.
At Tennessee Ketamine & Wellness Center in Franklin, TN, we offer compassionate, research-informed care designed to help you rediscover resilience and clarity.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation and take your first step toward a more grounded, empowered, and alcohol-free future.
Your healing starts here—and we’ll walk with you every step of the way.
Conditions Treated
1909 Mallory Lane, Suite 300, Franklin, TN 37067
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RN & Clinical Manager
Trina Haag is a highly experienced and compassionate Registered Nurse with over 15 years of expertise in patient care and advocacy. Her diverse background includes roles as a Medical Assistant, Phlebotomist, and Registered Nurse specializing in ICU and perioperative care. In addition to her clinical skills, Trina has successfully managed medical offices, where she excelled in delivering exceptional customer service and personalized patient care.
Trina’s commitment to patient advocacy is evident through her involvement with the National Patient Advocacy Foundation, where she passionately supports patient rights and quality healthcare. Her dedication to individualized care ensures that every patient at TNKWC receives the highest level of compassionate and personalized treatment.
Outside of her professional life, Trina values time spent with her family, including her loving husband, her daughter who brings joy to her days, and their loyal furry friend.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][us_image image=”568″ style=”shadow-2″][us_separator][us_btn label=”Schedule A Consultation” link=”url:%2Fcontact%2F|title:Contact” width_type=”1″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Dr. Rachel Rome is a board-certified anesthesiologist and interventional pain specialist with a deep expertise in regenerative medicine and palliative care. Her commitment to individualized patient care, innovative treatment approaches, and her prioritization of utilizing a holistic approach has made her a respected figure in the medical community.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Witnessing the transformative impact of ketamine on patients suffering from depression and chronic pain, Dr. Rome pursued advanced training in ketamine administration. In November 2021, she founded Mindful Infusions of TN, a concierge ketamine and wellness clinic, where she served as Medical Director. In addition, she has had the privilege of serving the local community at several clinics including David Price Regenerative Medical Center, LifeLinc Pain, and Empatia Palliative Care.
Dr. Rome earned her undergraduate degree in biology from Christian Brothers University and her medical degree from the University of Tennessee College of Medicine in Memphis. She completed her residency in anesthesiology and a fellowship in pain management at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. She is an active member of the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][us_image image=”599″ style=”shadow-2″][us_separator][us_btn label=”Schedule A Consultation” link=”url:%2Fcontact%2F|title:Contact” width_type=”1″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]
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Dr. Malchow served as an anesthesiologist for 25 years in the armed forces before retiring as a colonel in 2008. He then became an associate professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where he was the first Vanderbilt physician to offer intensive ketamine infusion therapy in 2014. In 2015, he established one of the few ketamine infusion centers (KIC) in the Veteran Health Administration and the only KIC in the U.S. specifically targeting opioid cessation/reduction.
He is an acknowledged U.S. expert on ketamine administration, having presented his extensive experience with ketamine in the veteran population at the American Society of Ketamine Physicians in 2018 and has given multiple lectures regarding the use of ketamine to national audiences in 2021. Dr. Malchow has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles and serves regularly on worldwide medical missions supporting those in need.
Dr. Malchow is honored to serve as the Medical Director for the Tennessee Ketamine & Wellness Center to provide compassionate and competent care for those suffering from depression, PTSD, OCD, chronic pain, and opioid dependence.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1/2″][us_image image=”162″ style=”shadow-2″][us_separator][us_btn label=”Dr. Malchow’s Full CV” link=”url:%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F06%2F03-2021-Malchow-CV.pdf|target:_blank” width_type=”full” icon=”fas|file-alt”][us_btn label=”Schedule A Consultation” link=”url:%2Fcontact%2F|title:Contact” width_type=”1″][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]