Ketamine Addiction Treatment
What Is Ketamine?
A dissociative anesthetic drug, ketamine induces a state of synthetic unconsciousness in the human body at a high dose and distorts how the brain processes visual and auditory information at a low dose.
Otherwise known as ‘k’, ‘ket’, ‘super k’, and ‘horse trank’, ketamine is extremely addictive. Dangerous when consumed, ketamine dependencies can arise, leaving many struggling with a range of physical and psychological impairments.
The Ketamine High
When large quantities of ketamine are consumed, several symptoms, including unconsciousness, arise.
When used recreationally or illegally, it is uncommon for unconsciousness to be induced. However, the effects of lower doses of ketamine cause users to feel ‘high’.
Often, these effects include:
Auditory and visual distortions
Difficulty moving
Experiencing out-of-body sensations
Confusion
Difficulty retaining information
An inability to communicate
Users of ketamine find aspects of this ‘high’ enjoyable. However, chronic ketamine abuse can lead to addictions, which are detrimental to our physical and psychological health.
How Is Ketamine Ingested?
Ketamine is ingested in a variety of different ways. When administered safely by medical professionals, it is usually delivered through an intravenous liquid or in lower doses through a nasal spray. Ketamine is also available in pill form.
When illegally abused outside of licensed healthcare practices, ketamine is often administered by turning it into a white or off-white powder that is then snorted through the nose.
Non-Abusive Uses of Ketamine
Like many other addictive substances, ketamine’s use originates in a healing medical setting. There are several different medical uses for ketamine; however, it is mainly used as an anesthetic.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved ketamine for use in this way in 1970. Medical professionals now use it to sedate children who have had adverse reactions to other kinds of anesthetic medication. It is also employed in radiation and burns therapy.
Professionals also utilize the anesthetic effects of ketamine in veterinary clinics. It is one of the most widely used medicines due to its relatively low level of side effects and highly effective sedating properties.
In more recent years, research has explored additional uses of ketamine. Due to its mind-altering properties, experts have experimented with the use of ketamine to treat chronic depression. They believe that ketamine can stimulate neuroplasticity within the brain, enabling maladaptive thought patterns to be altered.
However, experimenting with ketamine without the support of healthcare professionals remains extremely dangerous.
Signs of Ketamine Addiction
The first step in overcoming a ketamine addiction consists of recognizing the problem. If you’re worried about your relationship with ketamine or that of someone around you, you have come to the right place.
Here are a few tell-tale signs of ketamine addiction:
Your tolerance for ketamine has increased
You rely on ketamine in day-to-day life
You are displaying dramatic changes in your behavior or appearance
You experience irritability and mood swings
You exhibit loss of coordination or increased confusion
You struggle with insomnia
You experience withdrawal symptoms
As THC is lipid-soluble, it binds to fat cells in the body, increasing the amount of time it takes to leave the body.
Effects of Ketamine Addiction
Using ketamine over a prolonged period can have harmful effects on your mind and your body
These effects include:
Impaired cognitive function
Changes to your vision
Memory problems
Mood swings
Inflammation of the bladder
Incontinence
Painful urination
Cloudy urine
Ulcerative cystitis
Long-term ketamine abuse can also have a damaging effect on your professional and social life. As with other forms of addiction, ketamine addiction can damage your ability to perform at your job and be a loving member of your community. It doesn’t just harm you, but those around you.
If you are experiencing an addiction to ketamine, healing is possible. Contact NP Addiction Clinic today and obtain the help you need to recover.
How We Treat Ketamine Addiction
At the Neuro-Psychiatric Addiction Clinic, hopeless is not a word in our vocabulary. We believe that with the right tools, anyone can recover from ketamine addiction.
We curate a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment in our addiction clinics where you will be met with care and understanding by our excellent staff. As some of our team have recovered from ketamine addictions themselves, they know just how difficult addressing an addiction can be. They also know that recovery is possible.
Ketamine Addiction Treatment Options
Our expert-led residential treatment program encompasses the support you need to beat your addiction to ketamine.
In our sunny Florida treatment center, some of the treatments we offer for ketamine addiction include:
Individual therapy
Group therapy
Talking therapies
Art therapy
Nutritional assessments and groups
Music therapy
Educational groups
Family counseling and family weekend activities
Medication administration and monitoring
Understanding that no addiction is the same, your treatment program will be tailored to your needs. We understand that ketamine addiction is present alongside other struggles in life for many, and we pride ourselves on our holistic approach.
We can also provide mental health treatments that enable us to heal both the addiction and the person. For this very reason, we offer specialist support in trauma-related addiction and dual diagnosis treatment.
We respect your unique recovery journey and are determined to provide you with the best treatment possible to help you unlock your new life.
Why Choose NP Addiction Clinic?
Why our St. Lucie County rehab and mental health center is right for you and your loved ones.
24-Hour Support
We are dedicated to helping people heal, recover and live better lives, 24-hours a day, 7-days a week. Count on us to be there when you need us most.
On-Site Detox
Mental Health Treatment Pros
Aftercare and Alumni Support
Our aftercare, alumni support and MAT programs are second to none. We’re invested in your recovery and wellness for the long haul.
Let’s Talk Today
The Neuro Psychiatric Addiction Clinic is committed to delivering the best mental health and addiction treatment available. We can help you or the one you love too, but you need to make the first move. Call us now at (888) 574-3506 or send us a message using this form.
