Ketamine Addiction
Ketamine, initially used as an anesthetic, is now a drug of concern due to its addictive nature. Discover the impact of ketamine addiction and the road to recovery in this informative guide.
Table of Contents
Ketamine is commonly known as a party drug – with the intended use originally being for aesthetic purposes in a hospital setting, it’s now used recreationally across the country. Having found its way into festivals, nightclubs and streets of the UK, it’s more popular now than ever before.
Known in short as ‘ket’, this hallucinogen drug has damaged people’s mental and physical state massively, seriously affecting their health. Other well-known nicknames for ketamine include Special K, Vitamin K, Purple Kit Kat, Jet K and Super Acid.
Ketamine drug addiction is on the rise, with more people using it now than ever. If you feel like you’re spiralling out of control and need professional help, don’t put off reaching out for rehabilitation and addiction treatment before your substance abuse gets out of control.
Signs of Ketamine Addiction
Ketamine can have dangerous effects on both your body and mind. People have said that taking ketamine can make them feel out of touch with their surroundings, causing them to experience a huge loss of control and time. Objects often look much smaller than they really are, which is caused by taking too much ketamine – this is just one of many visual effects.
The risks that come with taking ketamine are endless. With many people taking the substances to feel the effects at social gatherings, there’s no surprise that so many people have tried ketamine. When you take too much ketamine, your body goes into something called a ‘ket-hole’ – this only occurs when you’ve taken a big dosage.
People with ketamine addictions often want to reach the particular high that a ket-hole gives them. Taking big doses of ketamine causes hallucinations, something that smaller dosages don’t always cause. Experiencing hallucinations can put both yourself and the people around you in dangerous situations, often being the main root of accidents during the long period of their hallucination.
If you’re starting to worry about the well-being of either yourself or a loved one and suspect that they could be heading down the route of ketamine addiction, here are some of the easiest signs to look out for:
- Anxious behaviour
- Depressive episodes
- Slurred speech
- Red patches of skin
- Insomnia
If you or a loved one has been taking ketamine for an extended period of time, then you should be able to notice more prominent, obvious signs. Because of their long-term ketamine abuse, physical and mental health damage could occur could be:
- Heavy sickness
- Impaired motor function
- Respiratory issues
- Brain damage
- Bladder damage
Ketamine Withdrawal Symptoms
It can be worrying when you realise that your ketamine addiction is taking control of your life and affecting those around you. Everyday life can become a struggle when you’re addicted to ketamine, which is why now is the ideal time to get it under control.
Ketamine is highly addictive, giving its users an escape from the reality of the world and creating a feeling of security. People who use the drug for an extensive period of time tend to build an intolerance to it, making the addiction even harder to deal with. After just a couple of minutes from taking ketamine, heart rate increases and blood pressure rises.
Mixing ketamine with alcohol is common and usually, the reason why most people take the substance in the first place is by pairing the two together. Withdrawal and detox symptoms of ketamine can vary depending on how much you’ve endured.
Although alcohol is most frequently paired with ketamine, people do take a multitude of harsher drugs at the same time, causing detrimental effects. Mixing ketamine with other depressant drugs such as benzodiazepines and opiates could cause you to collapse or seriously injure yourself.
When you make the decision to stop taking ketamine, your body goes into shock because of the dependency it’s built up on the drug. Most withdrawal symptoms are difficult to deal with, especially when you rely on ketamine so much. We always recommend that you see someone to get the right help when you’re withdrawing from such a drug and never attempt to detox alone.
Withdrawal symptoms from ketamine can vary, but these are the main ones that people suffer from:
- Mood Swings
- Delusion
- Fatigue
- Sickness
- Shaking uncontrollably
- Hearing loss
- Unaware of surroundings
- Frequent indecision
- Psychotic behaviour
Treatment for Ketamine Addiction
Ketamine addiction treatment is crucial when you’re about to go cold turkey. Withdrawing from ketamine can be dangerous, which is why it’s so important to get the right help or be placed in ketamine rehab. By working with a treatment centre, you’ll be able to follow all the recommended guides given by professionals, whilst getting the recovery you need.
We offer addiction therapy, including counselling, CBT and more. Our therapy sessions help build confidence, teach you coping mechanisms and improve your overall well-being.
Only under medical supervision should you attempt to withdraw yourself from ketamine addiction. At AnorMed, our rehabilitation centres and programmes are designed to not only help people overcome their ketamine addiction, but also get to the root of their addiction and why they started taking the drug in the first place.
The method of working on triggers and finding out the root cause of ketamine addiction helps you go back out into the world with a new, improved approach. Having the right resources and professional help will allow you to move forward with your life and overcome the fear of going back to ketamine at a later date.
The most effective form of treatment that we offer at Anormed is inpatient rehab – this is where the patient stays in an environment with friendly staff who are on hand at all times for your needs. Our team are based across the country, offering a no-judgement atmosphere and a kind approach to everything that they do. CBT and group therapy are two other alternatives for those who might not require such an intense treatment.
Call AnorMed to get started on the journey of recovery. We can put you on the right path and help give you a better view of life – let’s put a close to your chapter on addiction today.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you require any additional information about our services and how they can be beneficial for you or your loved one, check out our most frequently asked questions about ketamine addiction. Alternatively, reach out to a member of the AnorMed team.
What is ketamine addiction, and how does it develop?
Ketamine addiction is a chronic condition characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and use of ketamine. It develops as the brain adapts to the drug’s effects, leading to physical dependence and cravings.
What are the signs and symptoms of ketamine addiction?
Signs of ketamine addiction include increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms (e.g., depression, insomnia), neglect of responsibilities, social withdrawal, and persistent desire to use ketamine despite negative consequences.
Can ketamine addiction be treated, and what are the options?
Yes, ketamine addiction can be treated effectively. Treatment options include behavioral therapies like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), support groups, counseling, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) in certain cases.
How can I help a loved one struggling with ketamine addiction?
Supporting a loved one with ketamine addiction involves open communication, understanding, and avoiding judgment. Encouraging them to seek professional help, such as addiction specialists or rehab centers, can be instrumental in their recovery journey.
Helpful Ketamine Addiction Resources
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) – https://www.drugabuse.gov/
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – https://www.samhsa.gov/
- Talk to Frank – https://www.talktofrank.com/
- Addiction Helper – https://www.addictionhelper.com/
- Mind (UK) – https://www.mind.org.uk/
- Erowid – https://erowid.org/
- Recovery.org – https://www.recovery.org/
- American Addiction Centers (AAC) – https://americanaddictioncenters.org/
- The Cabin Group – https://www.thecabingroup.com/
- Project Know – https://www.projectknow.com/
Free Callback Service
Our trained addiction counsellors are available 24 hours a day to help you