Ketamine addiction
What is ketamine?
Ketamine is an anaesthetic drug that has been used in both humans and animals for medical and recreational purposes since the early 1960s. It is a synthetic compound derived from phencyclidine, also known as PCP.
Ketamine is most commonly used as a general anaesthetic during surgery, but its recreational use has become increasingly popular in recent years. It produces a dissociative effect, resulting in feelings of detachment, depersonalisation, and dissociation from reality. At higher doses, users may experience hallucinations, delirium, and out-of-body experiences.
Ketamine is typically administered intravenously or intramuscularly in medical settings, but it is also available in different forms for recreational use. The most popular form of ketamine is a liquid that is usually snorted or injected into the bloodstream. This form of ketamine is often referred to as ‘Special K’ and is known for its hallucinogenic effects. Other forms of ketamine include powdered or crystalized ketamine, which can be smoked or injected, and a tablet form that can be swallowed.
What is addiction?
An individual with addiction is one who can no longer control their dependence on a substance, activity, or behaviour. It is a chronic illness that can seriously harm a person’s relationships, finances, physical and mental health.
Ketamine addiction can also lead to feelings of loneliness, depression, and difficulty going about daily tasks for the addicted person. It’s critical that anyone battling an addiction to ketamine gets expert assistance from a professional healthcare provider.
Ketamine addiction
Ketamine is an anaesthetic that has been used in medical settings for decades, primarily for minor surgeries and procedures. However, the drug has recently become popular in the recreational drug scene. It is usually snorted, injected, or ingested and produces a dissociative and hallucinatory high. Despite its reputation, ketamine can be highly addictive.
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The effects of ketamine
As it’s a strong anaesthetic, using Ketamine creates a hallucinogenic and dissociative high. It can make you feel happy, relaxed and detached from reality. Motor function is impaired too, with ‘ket-legs’ being a common symptom as walking becomes harder.
Hallucinations occur with higher doses, altering a user’s perception of time and space. Excessive use can cause an out of body experience, known as a ‘K-hole’. In this state, it feels like the mind and body have separated which can be extremely distressing. An addiction to Ketamine can have both physical and mental effects.
Effects of ketamine include:
Memory loss
Paranoia
Disorientation
Chest pains ‘ket cramps’
Bladder problems
Incontinence
Blurred vision
Slurred speech
Nausea
Vomiting
Disassociation from reality
The short-term effects can last up to an hour. Longer-term use of ketamine can cause cognitive impairment, anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. People who develop a physical dependence on ketamine may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop using the drug. These include:
Depression
Insomnia
Irritability
Anxiety
Difficulty concentrating
Ketamine addiction can also lead to physical health problems such as heart palpitations, increased blood pressure, and liver damage.
Treating ketamine addiction
Our expert recovery team at Steps Together, use a detox and therapy programme designed to provide all the support and care to help you overcome Ketamine Addiction. We understand that admitting your own dependency is difficult. However, at Steps Together, we believe that is never too late to seek help.
Through our detox and therapy programme, we will help stop your ketamine addiction. While this may seem like a daunting prospect, our highly experienced recovery team are well equipped to guide you through the whole process.
For our residential and non-residential (outpatient) clients, we provide an eclectic blend of discrete, private, and confidential therapy programmes. This guarantees that we provide treatment and therapy programmes that are tailored to each individual, family, or group’s needs. These cover a wide range of addictions, disorders, and emotional and mental health concerns, and they include some of the best and most scientifically supported treatment modalities.
At Steps Together, we carefully blend clinical treatment, therapy, hospitality and accommodation to provide you with the perfect holistic environment, all under one roof, to help you enjoy your stay and make the most of your treatment programme and recovery.
Ketamine detox
The treatment we offer at Steps Together begins with a detox process, which allows the drug to leave your body. During the withdrawal process from ketamine, you may become emotionally unstable and may need professional help. Although these symptoms are not usually life-threatening, there may be some discomfort experienced during this time. Common withdrawal symptoms include:
Insomnia
Feeling shaky
Psychosis
Hallucinations
Loss of motor skills
Respiratory problems
Loss of hearing
Fatigue
Irritability
Rage
Steps Together will assist you in overcoming your addiction as part of the Detox Programme. Our team of knowledgeable experts are here to help and support you at every stage of what may seem like a difficult process. Together, with a thorough plan to assist you in breaking your addiction, we will offer you a safe and welcoming environment to recovery.
For a free and confidential discussion with one of our friendly treatment advisors, please call 0330 175 7031 today.
Real stories from our previous clients
“I can’t imagine to this day what it was like for my parents, a mix of relief that I had finally agreed and disbelief that this is what it had come to.”
Ben, sober since January 2019
