Ketamine addiction has become an increasing public health concern, and cases are continuing to rise across Essex and the surrounding area.
While ketamine is primarily used as an anaesthetic in medical settings, more and more people in the UK and worldwide are now misusing it recreationally.
If you or someone close to you is abusing ketamine on a regular basis, and if their addiction is spiralling out of control, it’s important to seek professional support as soon as possible.
Ketamine is a highly addictive substance, and overcoming an addiction to ketamine alone is incredibly challenging without professional help, such as rehab treatment.
Addiction to ketamine can also escalate quickly, leading to both mental and physical health issues both in the long and short term.
The good news is that recovery from a ketamine addiction in Essex is possible.
With the right support, many people in Essex and the surrounding area have been able to access professional rehab treatment and begin their journey to recovery.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our friendly and helpful team are on hand to provide you with friendly and helpful advice to support your recovery from ketamine addiction.
There are many different advantages when it comes to opting for drug and alcohol rehab in Essex. Every day spent in addiction can harm both your health and mindset, so getting treatment as soon as possible is crucial to your recovery.
At drug and alcohol rehab in Essex, you will first attend a medical detox, which allows your body the chance to slowly and safely withdraw from ketamine under around the clock care and attention.
Once your body is no longer physically dependent on ketamine, the focus will then turn to the psychological side of your addiction, which will focus on any trauma that might have led to your addiction in the first place.
There are now a range of different therapies offered at drug and alcohol rehab centres up and down the country and across Essex.
This includes cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing, group therapy and even family therapy if it is helpful.
You do not have to opt for all types of therapy, and none of them will be forced upon you. You will only be referred to therapy techniques that professionals at the rehab centre believe will help you
Ketamine addiction along with other forms of addiction has a long term impact on your mental health, which is why aftercare and support groups play an essential role when it comes to your long term recovery.
We understand that it can be daunting to attend an addiction support group, especially for the first time. However, spending time with like-minded individuals who have all gone through the same thing as you will no doubt be a positive experience.
There are a number of addiction support groups across Essex, including Al-Anon, Narcotics Anonymous and community based counselling and support groups, such as church groups which offer fantastic peer support for anyone facing hardship.
These groups play a vital role when it comes to your long-term recovery from a ketamine addiction and offer a great opportunity to remain accountable for your recovery and for your choices.
One of the most common questions people who are considering drug and alcohol rehab in Essex have is whether to opt for inpatient or outpatient treatment.
If you are considering drug and alcohol rehab in Essex for a ketamine addiction, then understanding the difference between the two different types of treatment is incredibly important.
Inpatient rehab is the most common type of rehab treatment across Essex and the rest of the UK and involves temporarily moving into a recovery centre for a number of weeks, or even months in order to receive your treatment.
During your time at the rehab centre daily life, including meals, therapy and down time happens within the confines of the rehab centre.
Outside contact with family and friends is limited as much as possible to help you focus fully on recovery from your addiction to ketamine.
Outpatient rehab treatment is typically only offered to those with a less severe form of addiction and allows you the chance to recover in the comfort of your own home without having to leave in order to receive treatment.
Outpatient rehab treatment for a ketamine addiction is usually more suitable for those with family or work commitments but is not always appropriate for severe ketamine addiction who might need more support in order to successfully recover.
If you’re worried that someone you love has become addicted to ketamine, then staging a drug intervention can be a powerful way to encourage them to get the help that they need and deserve.
An intervention for a drug or alcohol addiction is calm, structured, and non-judgemental conversation that is geared towards encouraging your loved one to seek the help that they need to recover.
An intervention should be held with close friends and or family members who care deeply about the individual who is currently suffering.
You should plan what you want to say before you say it and always keep your focus on expressing your concern for them, rather than blaming them for their addiction.
If your loved one is in denial about their addiction, then you should always share specific examples of how their ketamine use has affected them and those around them.
You should then talk through treatment options, such as inpatient drug and alcohol rehab in Essex. It’s often helpful to have a professional interventionist or addiction counsellor present to keep the intervention on track and productive.
Below, we outline a few answers to common questions around the topic of ketamine addiction:
Ketamine is often known as a “party drug.” Despite this, ketamine is known to have both long and short term effects, and extensive ketamine abuse will lead to long and short term damage when it comes to both the body and the mind [1].
Below are just some of the ways a ketamine addiction impacts the body:
As with most types of addiction, the more severe your addiction, the more severe your side effects will be. Likewise, the longer your recovery will be.
Ketamine addiction is not easy to overcome, but with the right treatment and support, a full recovery is achievable.
If you suspect someone you know and love is struggling with a ketamine addiction, there are certain signs to watch out for.
Not everyone suffering from an addiction to ketamine will show all of these signs and symptoms, but several of the below symptoms may point towards addiction [2]:
Recognising these symptoms early and seeking help for either yourself or a loved one will play a crucial role in their recovery.
If you or someone you know is suffering from a ketamine addiction or an addiction to any other substance for that matter, the friendly and helpful team at Rehab 4 Addiction is here to help.
Our team of expert advisers will ask some simple questions about your addiction, including how severe your addiction is, what substances you are addicted to and how long you have been addicted to them for.
Our team will also likely ask you about whether or not you have been diagnosed with any mental health conditions, such as depression, anxiety or paranoia.
This helps the team at Rehab 4 Addiction better understand your addiction and then recommend the most appropriate treatment options for you and your specific needs.
Begin your recovery journey today by calling us free on 0800 140 4690.
[1] https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/ketamine#what
[2] https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2025/apr/physical-and-psychological-symptoms-ketamine-abuse-revealed
