Ketamine Rehab in Belfast - Rehab 4 Addiction

The United Kingdom is no stranger to substance addiction. From 2023 to 2024, it was estimated that 310,863 adults [1] came into contact with drug and alcohol treatment services.

Only around half of this figure (158,991) proceeded to undergo treatment, which means there are as many – if not more – cases of addiction that remain undiagnosed and untreated.

In Northern Ireland, Belfast has had the highest rate of drug-related deaths [2] in recent years, with around 14.3 deaths per 100,000 population. Drug-related deaths have increased by nearly 100% in the last decade in Northern Ireland.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine – or Ketamine hydrochloride [3] – is a medication that is often used as a tranquiliser, particularly for horses.

Often, Ketamine is used in the form of general anaesthesia or pain managemen,t depending on the severity of a person’s illness or injury.

The drug is a sedative that can induce feelings of relaxation, hallucination, and relief [4].

These reasons are largely why the medication is misused and applied as a recreational drug. However, Ketamine is also used by offenders to facilitate sexual assault.

How Does Ketamine Affect Us?

As a sedative, Ketamine has a range of psychological and physical effects. While many people use this substance to experience its short-term effects, there are also many negative long-term ramifications associated with the drug.

1. Psychological effects

Here are some of the most commonly associated psychological effects associated with Ketamine:

Perceptual distortion: One of the most commonly reported symptoms of Ketamine use is hallucinations. Many people experience their reality and perception being distorted, seeing things that aren’t really there or even “melting into their surroundings.” Researchers even describe the symptoms being similar to symptoms of schizophrenia [5].
Disassociation: Many users report an “out of body experience” when using Ketamine, and this is often referred to as a “K-hole”. This can often lead to feelings of intense anxiety and depression, and even lead to bouts of psychosis.
Depression: While some subjects use depression to combat symptoms of depression, studies suggest it can exacerbate depression symptoms [6]. Some users report “difficulty coming out of their state of dissociation.” Due to these changes in the brain chemistry, it’s possible that Ketamine intensifies depression.
Memory loss: Studies suggest that heavy use of ketamine leads to memory loss [7] in subjects.

2. Physical effects

The effects of short and long-term effects of Ketamine aren’t exclusive to psychological symptoms. Here are some of the most prominent effects of Ketamine use on the body:

Cardiovascular issues: Ketamine use can lead to stress-related cardiac dysfunction such as Cardiomyopathy [8].
Bladder issues: Frequent and long-term use of Ketamine can lead to adverse effects on the bladder. This condition, called ‘ketamine-associated cystitis’ is caused by chronic inflammation and scarring. Around 60% [9] of people addicted to Ketamine report bladder issues, with many resorting to bladder surgery [10].

How Can I Recover From Ketamine Addiction in Belfast via Ketamine rehab?

Depending on your unique condition and circumstance, you may want to consider undergoing treatment as an outpatient or an inpatient.

Often, outpatient treatment is associated with free and public healthcare. While it boasts affordability and flexibility, it lacks the effectiveness of an inpatient treatment plan.

Inpatients benefit from a higher level of personalisation and a more detailed recovery programme at a residential rehab [11] in Belfast.

Due to the physical and psychological complications associated with Ketamine addiction, addicted people will need to undergo a diagnosis to recover from Ketamine addiction in Belfast.

Once they undergo a diagnosis with a medical professional, they can be admitted into a Ketamine Rehab in Belfast to begin their treatment.

Once you receive your diagnosis, you can undergo the admission process. Or, you can proceed to the admission process from the get-go.

You can contact us by dialling 0800 140 4690 from the UK to begin your pre-admission assessment, where an experienced professional will help you undergo a health assessment to determine the requirements suitable to your condition.

From there, you’ll receive expert guidance on an appropriate recovery programme at a Ketamine rehab in Belfast.

Ketamine Addiction Treatment at a Ketamine Rehab in Belfast

You may wonder what happens at a drug and alcohol rehab in Belfast. At a drug or alcohol rehab, or a Ketamine rehab, you can expect a comprehensive recovery programme that looks similar to this:

1. Detox

If you’re suffering from Ketamine withdrawal symptoms, you’ll undergo a medical detox for around 7 days depending on your unique condition.

Here, you’ll recover in a safe and comfortable facility under the supervision of medical professionals. You may be prescribed medication from an addiction physician to reduce discomforting symptoms.

2. Therapy & Counselling

After a successful detox, patients will undergo therapy and counselling to address the root cause of addiction.

Causes of addiction vary from one case to another, with mental disorders such as depression and anxiety to other behavioural issues leading to dependence.

Counselling and therapy sessions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy [12], Dialectical Behavioural Therapy [13], Motivational Interviewing [14], and more can yield a range of benefits.

From helping patients understand and address self-destructive tendencies to maintaining a sustainable and healthy mindset, therapy and counselling are imperative to a sustainable addiction recovery.

3. Aftercare

While patients will have come a long way at the end of their time at a rehab in Belfast, they’ll still need support when they resume their life on the outside.

Patients can receive support in the form of an aftercare programme, which may provide them with counselling sessions, a 12-Step Programme, access to fellowship programmes such as Narcotics Anonymous [15] or SMART Recovery [16], and so on.

Recover From Addiction Today

Regardless of the severity of your Ketamine addiction, it’s important to seek professional help as soon as you can.

By reaching out, you’ll undergo diagnosis and receive swift admission into a Ketamine Rehab in Belfast, where you’ll be able to start your addiction treatment plan in the quest for a healthy and sober life.

You’ve already taken the first step by acknowledging that you’re suffering from the disease of addiction.

Reach out to us by dialling the number 0800 140 4690 from the United Kingdom or +44 345 222 3508 internationally to start your treatment.

You’ll be greeted by a friendly admissions officer who is at your disposal to answer any questions or concerns regarding the addiction treatment process.