Ketamine is a highly addictive and fast acting substance that is becoming an increasingly large public health issue.
Ketamine is frequently used in the medical setting as an anaesthetic, as it acts as a strong painkiller.
However, it is also used illegally and recreationally as an illegal drug, with common street names such as K, Vitamin K or Ket.
Worryingly, more and more young people are abusing ketamine as it’s typically cheaper than other ‘party drugs’ on the market.
In fact, recent statistics have shown that the number of adults now abusing ketamine and seeking help for a ketamine addiction has risen by five times between 2022 and 2023, compared to figures from a study carried out between 2014 and 2015 [1].
However, many people with a ketamine addiction might not realise that they’ve got an addiction in the first place, as most people’s tolerances for ketamine increases quite quickly, meaning that they do not realise how much their tolerance has increased over time.
Nevertheless, the short and long term effects that ketamine can have on the body are severe and can even be life threatening if they go unmonitored and untreated.
Ketamine is treatable, and those with an addiction can fully recover if they seek help and remain in treatment for a suitable length of time.
Ketamine affects lots of different parts of the body and alters the brain’s neurotransmitters in the process.
It affects the brain’s neurotransmitters by increasing the production of a receptor called serotonin 1B, which is one of the many receptors in the brain that is responsible for feeling pleasure, calm and even euphoria [2].
Likewise, it is also known to impact the receptor called N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) that reduces the way the body and brain experiences pain by impacting the brain’s pain receptors and signals across the body.
As a result of this, the brain is numb to pain and people are therefore able to feel more calm and at ease when they consume ketamine.
However, as an individual’s tolerance increases, they find themselves having to consume and abuse more and more of the substance until they do their body and their brain damage.
Over time, the brain and body will come to rely on ketamine in order to function, and the body will fall into a state of despair without it. They will then experience intense cravings for the substance and if they do abstain from abusing ketamine for a number of days, or even sometimes hours, then the body will react with withdrawal symptoms.
Attending rehab for a substance such as ketamine is vital to an individual’s recovery because ketamine is a physically addictive drug that requires a withdrawal.
When you abstain from ketamine and withdraw from the substance, you are likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms.
These withdrawal symptoms are listed below for you. During your withdrawal, it is incredibly hard to stay on track, which is why the support of medical professionals is paramount.
Likewise, those who abuse ketamine are also likely to experience a mental health issue.
Mental health and drug addiction have a bidirectional relationship, as many people who suffer from a mental health condition turn to drugs for support, and many with a substance use disorder go on to experience a mental health issue.
In order to ensure a long term recovery from a ketamine addiction, it is important to attend rehab and undergo professional treatment, including a detox and withdrawal, therapy and aftercare support.
The length of your time in a rehab facility will very much depend on how severe your addiction to ketamine is. The more severe your addiction is, the more treatment you will require.
When you first attend rehab, professionals will make an assessment as to how severe your addiction is and will therefore make a recovery plan that’s suited to you and your needs.
The cost of rehab in Kent for a ketamine addiction very much depends on the type of treatment you opt for and how severe your addiction is.
For example, outpatient treatment is typically cheaper than inpatient treatment. Inpatient rehab can cost between £2,000 to £5,000 per week.
Prices vary depending on a number of factors, including how luxury your rehab facility is, whether you opt for a private or shared room and whether you opt for NHS-funded rehab treatment or private rehab treatment.
If you live in a major city such as London, Manchester or Liverpool, then treatment centres are typically thought to be more expensive than in rural areas.
Some rehab facilities allow visitors to attend, whereas others do not. Again, this will likely depend on how much you are prepared to pay.
Unfortunately, those who withdraw from a ketamine addiction are likely to experience some very unpleasant side effects, some of which are listed below.
Most withdrawal symptoms will kick in after 6 – 12 hours of withdrawing from ketamine, although they can start faster if your addiction to ketamine is particularly severe.
Within a few days to a week, your body should be through the worst of your withdrawal symptoms and over time you will fully recover.
Once you have overcome your detox and withdrawal from ketamine, you can then focus on the psychological side of your recovery which will include therapy.
Speak to Rehab 4 Recovery
If you are in need treatment for an addiction to ketamine and live in the Kent area, then you should speak to a member of the Rehab 4 Addiction team.
Our team of specialist advisers are on hand to provide you with the best information, without forcing you to attend a rehab facility or force you into detoxing from an addictive substance.
We will ask you a number of questions regarding your addiction and recommend the best treatment centres as well as the right treatment for you.
Speak to our friendly and helpful team today by calling us on 0800 140 4690 or by visiting us online by searching for www.rehab4addiction.co.uk.
[2] https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4059572/
[3] https://adf.org.au/drug-facts/ketamine/
