Ketamine is a medication under the category of anaesthetics. In small, controlled doses, it is used as a way to ease pain, especially nerve (neuropathic) pain.
It comes as a liquid, and prescriptions usually suggest that it be taken 3 or 4 times a day.
Trials conducted by the University of Oxford have found that Ketamine can also be an effective means of easing the symptoms of severe depression [1].
Some people can develop a substance problem, which can result in the need for Ketamine rehab.
Ketamine achieves these effects by altering the brain’s neurotransmitter activity.
It boosts the production of serotonin 1B receptors, a neurotransmitter strongly associated with the euphoric effects of pleasure and calm.
Simultaneously, the medication interacts with the brain’s N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor.
This receptor affects the brain’s experience of pain signals, and when antagonised by Ketamine, it reduces the strength of such signals [2].
This effect on the brain numbs pain, and Ketamine’s combined influence on the NMDA and serotonin B1 receptors produce a state of relaxation which soothes symptoms of depression.
Ketamine carries a high abuse potential, largely due to the severe way that it impacts the brain.
Addiction can develop both at the psychological and physical level, however, with the body also being vulnerable to change after consumption has become consistent.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.
Simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 140 4690.
With the brain’s receptors being so susceptible to Ketamine’s influence, it is no surprise that using the drug as a part of daily life can change how the brain works.
Primarily, frequent consumption affects the brain’s reward system.
Evolution has moulded the brain so that it remembers the pleasurable effects triggered by the ingestion of Ketamine.
This cause-and-effect is logged and continually reinforced over time.
As this happens, the brain also becomes accustomed to such high levels of serotonin and low levels of pain reception.
When sober, therefore, it struggles to make up the difference by itself, and refers to the cause-and-effect relationship, demanding Ketamine usage.
On the emotional and cognitive level, individuals feel intense emotional distress when this happens.
They are panicked, anxious, and become desperate for more Ketamine to sedate this or their returning pain/depression.
In a similar sort of process, the body becomes used to Ketamine after a while.
It develops a physical tolerance for the drug, achieved by chemical and hormonal networks gradually becoming used to its presence, resulting in larger doses being used.
Over time, this tolerance shifts into a kind of reliance. Ketamine’s presence has become so constant that the body relies on it as a part of its make-up.
Without it, an imbalance becomes apparent, sending the body into a state where it struggles to continue as normal.
In order to satiate the physical and intense cravings for Ketamine, individuals continue to consume it.
This is also done to avoid the withdrawal symptoms that arise from the body reacting to its own instability.
Of course, such psychological and physical dependence is going to have serious impacts on health and wellbeing.
Individuals who become addicted to Ketamine are likely to experience some of the following side effects:
When it comes to long-term health, abusing Ketamine can have very serious impacts.
Damage can be done to the senses – reducing the ability to hear and smell – as well as the muscles and major organs of the body.
Kidneys, the liver, and the heart are all at risk of becoming damaged – in turn increasing the risk of diseases associated with these organs – as are the bladder and urinary tract.
Over time, these changes can increase the risk of seizures, breathing problems, and organ failure.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.
Simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 140 4690.
Ketamine consumption is available as a form of medication because it does not trigger addiction in 100% of cases.
The risk of becoming dependent on it is strongly influenced by a series of factors which affect certain individuals more than others.
The genes an individual is born with bear a large influence on their relationship with Ketamine.
They can influence the brain’s serotonin production, how impactful its reward system is on behaviour, or how susceptible the body is to forming a physical dependence.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.
Simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 140 4690.
We are subject to the influence of the people and places that surround us.
As we grow up, our likelihood to abuse Ketamine can be increased if we have parents or family members who abuse the drug and speak little about its associated risks.
Being raised in a culture or political climate which encourages the use of medicinal drugs, and simultaneously doesn’t call for their regulation, can produce the same effect on us.
It’s well known that mental health can strongly influence behaviour.
If we experience anxiety, bipolar disorder, or another condition that brings negative symptoms, we are more inclined to abuse Ketamine as a means of stress management or to sedate such effects on our mind.
This relationship between addiction and mental health has the clinical term dual diagnosis.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.
Simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 140 4690.
Friends and family can shape our lives in a lot of positive ways, but an individual can also be steered into negative behaviours by them.
If we socialise with a group who use Ketamine recreationally, we can feel pressured to do the same, increasing our risk of addiction.
One of the greatest risks of forming a physical dependence on Ketamine is the withdrawal symptoms that arise from suddenly subjecting the body to sobriety.
These symptoms can range from cold-like symptoms to serious infringements on health.
Some of the most common physical and psychological symptoms associated with Ketamine withdrawal include:
The duration and severity of these symptoms are subject to several factors, much like the initial risk of developing Ketamine addiction.
Factors with the largest influence on the nature of withdrawal include age, metabolism, physical health, and Body-Mass Index (BMI).
Developing an addiction to Ketamine is not something that can be easily reversed.
Individuals must work through their physical and psychological dependence on the drug through Ketamine rehab, a multi-staged process which works to re-establish sobriety.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.
Simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 140 4690.
The first step of Ketamine rehab is detox. This term is something a lot of us have heard of, perhaps as a synonym for rehab, but it actually refers to a very specific part of a treatment programme.
Within detox, individuals reduce their Ketamine consumption according to a gradual, supervised process.
They taper off how much they use, with doctors overseeing their body’s reaction to a slowly diminishing supply of the drug.
This aims to ease the body into a growing tolerance of lower and lower dosages of Ketamine until it can withstand being completely sober without sparking withdrawal.
In preparation for the body reacting negatively, medical professionals can provide Benzodiazepines to reduce symptoms, and slow the pace of detox to limit the body’s shock.
Detox is a very personal experience, with every individual proceeding at their own speed.
Once the physical demand for Ketamine has been alleviated, individuals must engage with their remaining motivations to abuse the drug.
This means working through the psychological, mental, and social triggers which perpetuate their substance abuse.
To do this, therapy sessions can adopt a multitude of different approaches to suit an individual’s particular triggers.
As a treatment, it can shift its focus and structure to create a personal approach to each and every individual’s motivation for Ketamine use.
Popular examples include Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT), group therapy, and family therapy.
Each of which specialise in aiding the understanding of and the coping with a certain brand of trigger. CBT, for example, targets thought processes.
Sobriety is a truly impressive achievement. An individual who has completed detox and therapy is so far away from where they started.
However, there is still a stage of Ketamine rehab which contributes to long-term recovery and improved quality of life.
Relapse prevention seeks to prepare individuals for their return to family, social, and work life.
It gives them techniques with which they can defend the progress they have made and withstand the psychological cravings they will feel for Ketamine in the near future.
These tend to focus on trigger management. HALT, for example, encourages individuals to check if they are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired whenever they experience cravings.
This offers them the chance to alleviate regular bodily cravings without relapsing.
No one wants to pause their everyday life for treatment, but it is a necessary part of Ketamine rehab.
On average, individuals will spend about 28 days fighting their substance abuse, but this can differ from case to case.
Those with serious and well-developed conditions, a lack of motivation for treatment, or another mental health issue that complicates their treatment may spend longer than 28 days in Ketamine rehab.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.
Simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 140 4690.
Similar to how Ketamine rehab demands a time investment, it also requires one in the more conventional sense.
Treatment centres require money to function, but exactly how much will you be expected to cough up?
28-day rehabs cost around £8,000 to £12,000 for a single room, or £6,000 for a shared room.
Although they will not provide comprehensive treatment, 10-day detoxes can also be accessed for £3,000 to £6,000 for a single room (£2,000 to £4,000 for a shared room).
For the cheapest support available, individuals can pay £1,500 to access a home detox programme.
Considering everything that Ketamine rehab demands, it is normal to question whether you are 100% in need of it.
How do you know whether accessing treatment is necessary, or whether you could benefit more from a little more moderation and self-discipline?
By using the CAGE questionnaire, you can easily pin down whether addictive tendencies exist within your behaviour.
If you answer ‘yes’ to any of the following questions, you should strongly consider rehab services:
There are several decisions that individuals have to make when it comes to what Ketamine rehab experience they want.
One of the most important is whether they proceed with private rehab or publicly available support services.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.
Simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 140 4690.
Primarily, private Ketamine rehab is the best standard of treatment an individual can receive.
The private and comfortable accommodation offers the most relaxed setting for individuals to work through their addiction, and the luxury doesn’t end there.
Industry-leading specialists are employed in high numbers to ensure support is thorough and effective.
The abundance of treatment methods provided work to optimise both recovery and personal enjoyment of rehab.
Spa treatments, exercise facilities, and holistic therapies all complement and enhance the recovery process.
The only obstacle standing between individuals and private rehab is the price.
If you can afford the high cost – usually in the tens of thousands of pounds – then there is no better way to get better than this option.
In terms of public support, there are two main options.
The first is NHS drop-in sessions, during which individuals can speak to a professional about their situation and get an informed opinion as to what their next steps should be.
This form of support is best for those who have noticed their Ketamine use has started to look unhealthy and could do with appropriate advice as to how best to prevent their behaviour slipping into a full-scale addiction.
The second option is council funding. The NHS does not provide Ketamine rehab itself, so those who cannot afford private rehab can apply to their local council for the money.
The process can be long and frustrating, but it ensures that more people can access the help they need.
Council funding is the best option for those who, despite not being able to afford private rehab out of their own pockets, require more serious addiction support.
It’s all well and good learning about Ketamine rehab and its benefits, but how do you actually get into it?
The admissions process can be a scary thing to approach, but it is much simpler than many think. The steps are:
Denial is so common that it is considered to be a fundamental aspect of addiction development [3].
That does not mean, however, that denial is not a serious barrier to combatting and overcoming addiction that needs to be worked through.
Accepting the truth of Ketamine addiction is, unfortunately, something that stands between too many people and their recovery.
Either not seeing the problem at all, or seeing it as a manageable part of their life, the truth can be the hardest thing for individuals to face.
Beyond that difficult realisation, however, is a long life of happiness, independence, and freedom.
Facing addiction is by no means easy, but the short-term difficulties are far outnumbered by the benefits that you will reap for the rest of your life.
Also referred to as inpatient, residential rehab brings individuals into a treatment facility, offers them accommodation, and supervises them as they proceed through rehab.
It is widely considered the most effective form of treatment, but why is this?
Firstly, residential programmes ensure that treatment is as safe as possible.
Detox carries a certain risk to physical health, and distress can make individuals act irrationally as a result of therapy.
Therefore, being supervised by doctors and specialists means no harm can occur.
Secondly, these programmes also optimise the effectiveness of Ketamine rehab.
Constantly being within the treatment environment increases engagement with both the values and principles of rehab, and also eliminates the risk of relapse between sessions.
Relapse prevention does its best to keep individuals on the right track after Ketamine rehab has concluded, but its reach only goes so far.
What carries most of the supportive weight in the following months and years is aftercare.
Aftercare provides long-term support in combatting Ketamine addiction.
It not only helps individuals stay true to the routines and behaviours they learned in rehab, but it also helps them keep on top of their physical health and wellbeing.
While Ketamine rehab lifts the pressure of addiction from an individual’s shoulders, aftercare helps individuals develop and maintain the strength to keep that pressure off all by themselves.
This enhances their quality of life and helps them live substance-free.
Recognising the signs of Ketamine in another person can be really stressful, and you will likely want to be as sure as possible before approaching them about seeking treatment.
So what else can you look for? What are some of the most common indicators?
Some warning signs are easier to spot than others, but you need to look for:
A lot of people have heard about interventions, as they are very popular in pop culture.
However, they are much more than a gimmick, as interventions can be very effective means of helping people who are suffering with Ketamine addiction.
If you notice that a loved one is struggling, an intervention can be a really effective way for you to communicate the severity of their situation and the importance of their seeking treatment.
But how do they work?
At Rehab 4 Addiction, we offer free advice from a team of non-judgemental professionals, many of whom are in recovery and understand how hard can be to change your relationship with addiction.
Simply reach out to our 24/7, confidential hotline on 0800 140 4690.
Interventions see family and friends meeting to confront an individual about their addiction.
An individual is addressed, the event is explained to them, and everyone takes turns addressing how the individual’s Ketamine misuse has affected them.
These events rely on communication, organisation, and honesty.
Everyone must be supportive yet constructive in what they say to the addicted individual, and the group must be united in their response in the event that their concerns are rejected.
Usually, conditions will be explained to inform the individual that, should they choose to ignore the intervention, their loved ones will enact certain punishments.
These are laid out as a protest against the continuation of their destructive behaviour.
In order to have their desired effects, interventions need to possess some of the following qualities:
When an individual takes too much Ketamine, they run the risk of overdose.
There is no universal quantity that triggers Ketamine overdose, as everyone will have a different tolerance for the drug, but the associated symptoms are more common and recognisable.
These primarily physical symptoms can be quite dangerous, so knowing what to look out for can be really important. They include:
If you find someone who you suspect has overdosed on Ketamine, you can help them in the following ways:
If Ketamine addiction develops and begins taking control of your life, don’t let it! Take back control and get in touch with us at Rehab 4 Addiction.
Our dedicated team are on hand to talk you through all of the complicated details of Ketamine rehab and recovery.
Local treatment options, potential withdrawal symptoms, and anything else you want information on, we can clarify and explain.
Get help at ketamine rehabs across the UK. You undergo a telephone assessment, and we mail out the medication you will need. Get help now, including Bristol, Essex, Lincoln, Newcastle, Derby, Cardiff, Nottingham, Norwich, Gloucester, Brighton, Oxford, Southampton, Cambridge, Sheffield, Glasgow, Bedford, Edinburgh, Leicester, Birmingham, Belfast, Kent, Liverpool, London and Portsmouth.
Give us a call on 0800 140 4690, and start your journey to a healthier lifestyle.
Start fighting Ketamine addiction today, kickstart your successful recovery, and get in touch!
[1] https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2017-04-05-ketamine-shows-positive-results-treating-severe-depression
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6181464/
[3] http://pure-oai.bham.ac.uk/ws/files/25519189/DENIAL_PICKARD_M_L_FINAL_PRE_PROOF.pdf
