During medical procedures in humans and other animals, ketamine is typically used for its anaesthetic properties.
However, there is a trend of individuals using ketamine recreationally and seeking the effects of this without association with the long-term consequences.
Ketamine is an addictive substance as, when consumed, it can make the individual feel short-term positive effects including euphoria, happiness, and relaxation.
The long-term impacts to an individual’s health, as well as the risk of developing an addiction are not often considered when consuming the substance.
This can create a cycle of addiction in which the individual repeatedly seeks out, consumes, and thinks about ketamine and disregards the consequences on their physical and mental wellbeing.
This is where ketamine rehab in Derby is essential; it allows individuals to overcome the effects of their addiction, breaking the cycle and working toward a sober future.
Any individual who finds themselves to be struggling with an addiction (or who knows of someone else who may be struggling) should seek rehabilitation as soon as possible.
This is because the effects of an addiction – whether to ketamine or another substance – can exponentially worsen over time, leading to additional stress and risk to an individual’s general health.
Typically, individuals struggling with addiction may experience some of the following:
If an individual finds themselves struggling with any of the points above or any points that may be related to those above, then they should enquire about seeking ketamine rehab in Derby as soon as they are able.
All effective and efficient rehab programmes in Derby (as well as across the rest of the UK) follow three key stages of recovery so that an individual’s recovery covers all areas of their addiction.
These stages are detoxification from the substance, therapy/treatment to overcome further impacts, and a strong aftercare programme.
By progressing through each of these stages, an individual is far more likely to successfully complete a ketamine rehab programme, meaning that they are also more likely to maintain their sobriety in the long-term and continue their rehab journey.
As well as following these three stages, an individual should also have a strong mental attitude in regard to their recovery journey, as well as being fully motivated and committed to making the most of their time in rehabilitation and all that is associated with this.
The following subheadings outline these three key stages regarding ketamine addictions specifically.
During a detoxification session in ketamine rehab in Derby, an individual will withdraw from ketamine, either slowly and over a long period of time or in one change of behaviour.
This is dependent on an individual’s history with addiction, as well as their level of dependence on the substance and any predicted health risks should ketamine be removed from their lifestyle.
Though ketamine is not considered to be physically addictive (i.e., having unique impacts on bodily processes and becoming a part of everyday functioning), it is relatively less uncomfortable for individuals to undergo this process, though having medical supervision and support available is always recommended.
During therapy and further addiction treatment in ketamine rehab in Derby, an individual will then focus on their mental health and the way in which ketamine has impacted their everyday thought patterns and cognitive perceptions of the world around them.
This stage is essential; where detoxification focusses on an individual’s physical recovery, therapy and treatment focusses on the mental health aspect of an individual’s addiction journey.
In all cases, it is also recommended that individuals seek ketamine rehab in Derby that follows a dual diagnosis approach, meaning that all mental health issues associated with an individual’s addiction are recognised and treated, leading to a full and effective treatment plan.
After all rehabilitation programmes, for ketamine or other substances, in Derby or in other areas of the UK, establishing a strong aftercare programme is essential for maintaining what has been taught and learned during an individual’s rehab journey.
Aftercare is a broad term that describes a variety of different treatments that an individual may continue to participate in after receiving the majority of their treatment in ketamine rehab in Derby.
During aftercare, an individual may opt for more independent treatment such as continued learning through cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT)-based programmes, but they may also opt for more monitored and progress-based care.
This could include regular meetings with an aftercare officer in order to check up on the individual, as well as to suggest next steps or to arrange emergency additional support if it is needed.
All individuals who enter ketamine rehab in Derby should be prepared to be completely open and honest about their addiction, as this will allow addiction specialists to ensure that the most suitable forms of care are prescribed to the individual as they require.
Some areas that an individual should be prepared to answer questions on include the following:
Below, we provide answers to some common questions around ketamine use:
When regarding the effects of ketamine on an individual’s physical health, most of these are due to the method of consumption.
Over time, an individual may change their method of consumption in order to overcome their tolerance to the substance which will grow over time.
For example, most individuals will start consuming ketamine by snorting the substance as a powder, potentially leading to damage and abrasion to their nasal cavity, as well as more generally to their cardiovascular system.
However, as an individual’s tolerance grows, they are more likely to engage in methods of consumption that allow ketamine to enter their system more quickly.
This includes injecting the substance as a liquid but comes with all the risks of unsafe needle risk, as well as the risk of consuming a larger quantity directly to the bloodstream, leading to the risk of life-threatening consequences.
Mixing any substance with another has unique and often harmful impacts; taking two or more substances at the same time can cause difficulties in judging the effect of either, increasing the risk of taking too much of either or both substances.
During ketamine rehab in Derby, an individual may be treated for the effects of multiple substances simultaneously.
Ketamine specifically can cause especially harmful effects when consumed with alcohol, for example, as both are linked to harm to the cardiorespiratory system, digestive and urinary tracts, as well as the central nervous system (1).
When combining these risks with an addiction to one or more substances as well, this can cause serious risks to an individual’s health and help through ketamine rehab in Derby should be sought as soon as possible.
To find out how Rehab 4 Addiction can help you or someone you know to find the most suitable form of ketamine rehab in Derby, get in touch with a member of our friendly and professional team.
We offer free and confidential advice to anyone who needs it through our addiction support hotline on 0800 140 4690.
Find out how to start your rehabilitation journey today.
[1] Kobayashi, N.H.C., Farias, S.V., Luz, D.A., Machado-Ferraro, K.M., Conceição, B.C.D., Silveira, C.C.M.D., Fernandes, L.M.P., Cartágenes, S.D.C., Ferreira, V.M.M., Fontes-Júnior, E.A. and Maia, C.D.S.F., 2022. Ketamine plus alcohol: what we know and what we can expect about this. International journal of molecular sciences, 23(14), p.7800.
