Treatment for addiction to ketamine
Ketamine (also called ket, ‘special K’ or ‘Vitamin K’) was first created in 1960s for medical purposes but is used recreationally for its hallucinogenic and relaxing effects. Prolonged use creates addiction to the drug for which rehabilitation may be needed – CITA can help with that.
Sometimes referred to as “horse tranquilliser”, ketamine is a potent, dissociative drug that was designed in the 1960s to be used as a sedative and anaesthetic medication by doctors and veterinarians. It is also sometimes prescribed by pain specialists as an analgesic (pain relief) when opioids are ineffective. When prescribed by medical professionals the dosage is gradual and supervised. There’s a good reason for this – ketamine can be both physically and psychologically addictive.
By targeting multiple processes in the brain, ketamine manipulates the neurotransmitter glutamate which is essential to keeping our brains functioning as they should. At higher doses, ketamine blocks glutamate, thereby slowing down communications in the brain – which is one of the reasons it is so effective as a sedative and anaesthetic.
In lower doses, however, glutamate production becomes enhanced, inducing hallucinogenic side effects, such as altered vision and sound, which can leave users experiencing a variety of emotions – with some individuals even noting that they felt close to death after having taken the substance.
Physical effects and signs of abuse
Someone who is abusing ketamine may be unusually calm and show signs of immobility, along with an inability to respond to stimuli. Breathing may be slowed, speech slurred, vision blurred and pupils dilated, with involuntary muscle movements. Ketamine’s hallucinogenic effects are typically short-lived (about an hour); however, effects on cognitive functioning like memory loss and confusion may persist for 24 hours or more. Most users experience an almost immediate onset of effects, including:
- Feelings of sedation
- Relief from anxiety and depression
- Increased sensory perception – users see and feel colours and sounds in a more intense way
- Euphoria
- An intense sense of relaxation
- Coordination difficulties
- Hallucinations – distorted perception of sight and sound that can make it difficult to move
- Dissociation – a form of physical or psychological detachment that can feel like an out-of-body experience.
However, ketamine consumption can also cause panic attacks and severe anxiety with both able to reach a point where the user can lose control of their actions for several hours.
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Ketamine withdrawal symptoms
Stopping the consumption of ketamine can result in a wide range of withdrawal symptoms, some of them distressing.
Psychological symptoms may include:
- Severe depression
- Acute anxiety
- Irritability and aggressive behaviour
- Paranoia and psychotic episodes
- Insomnia
- Self-harming and suicidal thoughts
Physical symptoms of ketamine withdrawal can be:
- Bladder pain
- Stomach cramps
- Impaired vision
- Temporary hearing loss
- Increased heart rate
- Sweating
- Lack of coordination and motor skill
- Intense cravings for ketamine
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Ketamine detox
In addition to the health risks, ketamine addiction can have devastating repercussions on a person’s personal, social, and professional life. Excessive use of this drug can lead to problems in interpersonal relationships, work difficulties, financial problems and social isolation. Ketamine addiction can consume all areas of a person’s life, leaving them trapped in a destructive cycle that is difficult to break out of.
Detoxing from ketamine addiction offers an opportunity to regain control over one’s life and restore physical and mental health. By seeking treatment and support to overcome this addiction, you can begin to rebuild relationships, regain emotional stability, and achieve personal and professional goals. Detoxification not only involves stopping drug use, but also addressing the underlying causes of addiction and learning strategies to manage stress and emotions in a healthy way.
In short, detoxing from ketamine addiction is crucial to protecting health, improving quality of life, and regaining control over one’s future. It is a brave and necessary step towards recovery and comprehensive well-being.
Why choose CITA?
We have professionals with more than 40 years of experience
Expert help is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
We apply and adapt to the latest advances in neuroscience
All pets are welcome on our expansive, green campus