Ketamine abuse is becoming an increasingly pressing concern across Lincoln and the rest of the UK. While ketamine is still widely used within healthcare as an anaesthetic and painkiller, with more and more people abusing ketamine illegally, it’s becoming a public health concern.
Often referred to as “K”, “Ket” or even “Vitamin K”, ketamine is widely abused across nightlife and the party scene.
Compared to other substances such as heroin or cocaine, ketamine is relatively cheap and therefore more accessible to younger people, which is increasingly worrying.
In fact, studies have shown that since 2015, the number of people seeking treatment for ketamine addiction has risen more than five times, highlighting just how significant the problem has become across the UK.
Like many other addictive substances such as cocaine and heroin, ketamine creates feelings of detachment, euphoria, and ultimately pain relief.
This is why a lot of people who were originally prescribed ketamine for an injury, to help them deal with the pain, go on to become addicted to ketamine long after their illness and pain has subsided.
Over time, the body develops a tolerance to ketamine, and this happens relatively quickly compared to other drugs such as cocaine or heroin.
This means that individuals start to need more and more ketamine in order to experience the ‘high’ that they once did.
For a lot of people who are addicted to ketamine, by the time they recognise what is happening, they are already addicted to the substance.
What is important to remember is that recovery from a ketamine addiction is possible, as long as the individual recovering has the right help and support.
As with most forms of addiction, recovery starts at rehab treatment, including a detox and then therapy.
Attending drug and alcohol rehab in Lincoln for a ketamine addiction offers more than just a chance to stop using ketamine.
Attending rehab for a drug addiction provides you with the chance for a new start. By attending rehab, you will also get access to the medical and psychological support needed to build long term recovery from ketamine.
A typical treatment plan for a ketamine addiction addresses both the physical dependence (through a detox) as well as the psychological factors (through therapy) that have caused and triggered your addiction in the first place, such as trauma.
When it comes to long term recovery from a ketamine addiction, attending therapy is central to your recovery.
Many individuals struggling with a ketamine addiction have been through some form of trauma or mental health issue, such as depression, or anxiety.
There are a range of therapy techniques available across rehab centres in Lincoln, including cognitive behavioural therapy (also known as CBT), motivational interviewing, group therapy and even family therapy.
These therapy techniques explore the root causes that have led to your addiction in the first place and also help people develop healthier coping strategies going forward.
In addition, drug and alcohol rehab, in particular therapy, focuses heavily on relapse prevention and aftercare.
Unfortunately, relapse for a ketamine addiction is incredibly common, because many triggers are environmental.
This is why a significant part of your recovery and treatment will be focused on aftercare and support to ensure that a relapse does not happen.
There is no one guaranteed set amount of time it takes to recover from a ketamine addiction.
How long you are required to stay in drug and alcohol rehab depends on a number of different factors including how severe your addiction is in the first place, what substances you are addicted to and whether or not you suffer from any mental health issues.
Some individuals stay in drug and alcohol rehab for a number of weeks, if their addiction is deemed less severe and if it is caught early.
Other individuals with a more severe addiction to ketamine or other drugs might need several months in inpatient or outpatient rehab in order to fully recover from their addiction.
Treatment for a ketamine addiction usually combines a medical detox with ongoing therapy.
This may extend into outpatient support once the individual leaves the rehab centre, ensuring sufficient aftercare and support to prevent a relapse.
For those with a severe addiction to ketamine in Lincoln, or those with particularly serious side effects like bladder or liver damage, surgery might also be required in order to make a full recovery.
The cost of drug and alcohol rehab in Lincoln can vary widely depending on the type and length of treatment, as well as what level of care you opt for.
Remember, there are two ways you can gain access to drug and alcohol rehab in the UK, including NHS funded rehab treatment and private rehab treatment.
Private rehab treatment can be expensive, costing thousands of pounds for just a two or three week stay.
For example, in some rehab centres across Lincoln and the rest of the UK, a 2 – 3 week stay in an inpatient centre can cost you up to £6,000.
This cost can increase significantly if you opt for any add-ons such as better meals or a private room.
NHS funded rehab treatment is usually fully funded by the NHS and is more accessible for those who simply cannot afford to pay for private rehab treatment.
However, waiting times for NHS rehab treatment are often long, sometimes making you wait months for access to treatment.
Because of these delays, many people in urgent need of help for their addiction choose private rehab treatment despite the financial cost.
Below, we outline a few answers to common questions around the topic of ketamine addiction:
If you’ve never been physically dependent on a substance, then it can be hard to imagine what it’s like for your body to be dependent and reliant on a substance in order to feel some form of ‘normal.’
However, ketamine is such a powerful and harmful substance that it alters both the transmitters and chemicals in your brain as well as your body.
This means that both your mind and your body will crave ketamine, making it particularly difficult but not impossible to recover from [1].
Ketamine works by altering the brain’s glutamate system, specifically blocking NMDA receptors in the brain. This disruption to the receptors in the brain will change how your neurons communicate with each other.
With ketamine, this is what allows those abusing the substance to feel hallucinogenic and dissociative.
Whilst this happens, ketamine impacts the levels of both serotonin and dopamine in your brain, which are two chemicals linked to mood regulation and are what allow you to feel pleasure.
Over time, repeated abuse can cause long term changes in the brain’s reward system. The dopamine pathways, which usually motivate us towards healthy activities create cravings to feel the ‘high’ the once felt by abusing a smaller amount of ketamine.
Essentially, the brain can quickly become rewired, and your tolerance becomes out of control very quickly. This process can happen particularly quickly when it comes to ketamine addiction.
Ketamine addiction also impacts the body. Ketamine is used as a painkiller and sedative which is what creates the feelings of detachment.
However, frequent use also triggers spikes in blood pressure and heart rate. There is a long list of other common short term side effects including nausea and sickness, dizziness, memory issues and hallucinations.
One of the most damaging physical symptoms and side effects of long term ketamine abuse is what is known as “ketamine bladder syndrome.”
This syndrome is a condition where the bladder and urinary tract suffer lasting, long term damage resulting in chronic pain, incontinence, and even long term reduction in bladder capacity if left untreated.
This means that you might often need the toilet and might struggle to control your bladder. In some severe cases, you might need to undergo surgery in order to have this fixed.
Withdrawal from a drug addiction is often one of the hardest parts of recovery, both physically and mentally.
When someone who is addicted to ketamine stops abusing the substance, withdrawal symptoms can set in within hours and require treatment and medical attention.
Your withdrawal symptoms can escalate very quickly and can become life threatening if they are not monitored.
Below is a list of the common withdrawal symptoms associated with an addiction to ketamine [2]:
Due to the severity of these withdrawal symptoms, attempting withdrawal from ketamine without medical supervision can be dangerous and often life threatening.
A medically supported detox offers monitoring and medication where it is needed which ensures that those withdrawing and detoxing from ketamine do so in a safe and controlled environment.
If you or someone you love is struggling with ketamine addiction in Lincoln, or any other drug for that matter, then speak to a member of our friendly and helpful team for advice and support.
At Rehab 4 Addiction, our dedicated team can guide you through the options available to you, including explaining the difference between inpatient and outpatient care as well as explaining what will happen from start to finish.
Overcoming an addiction to ketamine is challenging, but with the right care and support, it is possible. Call our team for free on 0800 140 4690 to access ketamine addiction treatment today.
[1] https://news.columbia.edu/news/new-study-maps-ketamines-effects-brain
