With an appearance similar to that of cocaine, ketamine is a very differently acting substance with many different impacts and effects.
However, it is also an extremely addictive substance that can have many different effects to an individual’s mental and physical health in both the short-term and the long-term.
Generally used as an anaesthetic drug for both humans and animals (1), ketamine is also used in a recreational setting, though it is considered to be an illegal substance in many countries.
The methods of consumption also vary, impacting the different impacts that the substance can have on an individual’s physical and mental wellbeing.
These methods include snorting ketamine as a powder, injecting ketamine, swallowing ketamine tablets, and sometimes ‘bombing’ it (swallowing ketamine powder wrapped in cigarette rolling papers).
This web page will focus on ketamine rehabilitation i.e., the process of overcoming an addiction to ketamine, as this can be a difficult and challenging process depending on an individual’s situation.
As a part of ketamine rehabilitation in Portsmouth, it is also important to understand the effects of ketamine and how this can impact an individual’s lifestyle and wellbeing.
The purpose of ketamine rehabilitation is to overcome the impacts of addiction, as well as learning to deal with the long-term consequences of addiction.
In some cases, the effects of addiction – to ketamine or other substances – can last the remainder of an individual’s life, especially if their addiction is long-term and has gone untreated for a long period of time.
The following subheadings outline some of the key effects of ketamine that an individual can experience in terms of their physical and mental wellbeing.
Depending on the way that ketamine is consumed, there can be many different ways that it can impact an individual’s body and the way in which it functions.
For example, if an individual snorts ketamine as a powder, then they risk developing health complications within their respiratory system and their nose canal. If an individual injects ketamine, then they fall risk to all of the additional impacts that can occur as a result of unclean needles, as well as sharing needles with others.
The ways in which ketamine also impacts an individual’s behaviour may also cause them physical harm i.e., through disorientation, lack of coordination, and falling over.
Ketamine, as an anaesthetic substance, can also cause a lack of perception of pain – something which can also lead to additional physical injuries and impacts that an individual may not notice at the time of consumption.
In terms of short-term effects, the following mental health impacts are often reported with ketamine consumption:
All of these impacts may lead to danger and additional risk when an individual is consuming ketamine due to the ways in which it can impact how the world appears around them, leading to additional harm.
In addition, there is ongoing research as to the depressive effects of regular ketamine consumption, with some researchers claiming that despite previous reports that state how ketamine acts as a depressive substance, there is new evidence to suggest that it may actually be used as a treatment for depression (2).
With all addictions, it is vital that individuals seek rehabilitation as soon as they are able. Without suitable ketamine rehabilitation, an individual is far more likely to experience greater and greater negative consequences as a result of this.
For example, the more ketamine an individual consumes on a regular basis, the greater their tolerance will become, meaning that they must consume more and more of the substance to achieve the same effects that they once experienced.
The more ketamine that an individual consumes on a regular basis, the greater that the impacts of this will be. All of the effects mentioned previously in this article are likely to be multiplied, adding to the risks and dangers that an individual is putting themselves at.
Any delays before accessing rehabilitation in Portsmouth could lead to delays later in the ketamine rehabilitation process.
Most providers of ketamine rehab in Portsmouth (as well as across the UK) will suggest that individuals progress with the three key stages of rehabilitation.
These are: detoxification, rehabilitation/therapy, and aftercare.
By partaking in these stages in turn and with full commitment and a strong attitude towards recovery, individuals will give themselves the best possible chance at a full and effective rehabilitation process.
This will also increase the efficiency of an individual’s ketamine rehabilitation process.
These key three stages of rehabilitation are outlined in further detail across the following subheadings.
This is the first essential stage of the ketamine rehabilitation process as it ensures that an individual is physically prepared for the remainder of their rehabilitation journey.
During ketamine rehab in Portsmouth, individuals will withdraw from ketamine which involves slowly reducing the amount of ketamine that an individual consumes until it is completely out of their system.
This can also cause additional issues; the individual will have developed a tolerance and therefore their body is used to having ketamine present in the body, leading to physical health issues when they attempt to cut this out.
Supervision and medical approval are always recommended for a withdrawal process, as well, in order to counteract any additional health risks that may arise during this process.
As the majority of an individual’s time in ketamine rehab in Portsmouth, individuals will partake in a variety of different treatment options and therapies that are suitable for their needs and requirements.
Though these treatment options will differ between each individual case, they will always focus on the mental health impacts of an addiction and how an individual can learn to cope with them and overcome them in the long-term.
Common therapies, however, include therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and motivational interviewing (MI) as these can be highly specialised from case to case to ensure suitability and relativity to their needs.
Aftercare is the third and final essential stage of ketamine rehabilitation as it supports any ongoing treatments and therapies that an individual may require to support their long-term recovery.
Aftercare can be as supported or independent as an individual requires due to the different therapies and treatments that an individual chooses to participate in. For example, some individuals may choose to have ongoing and regular meetings with an aftercare support officer whereas others may prefer more independent learning and ongoing self-lead exercises.
Rehab 4 Addiction is a specialised and long-standing addiction referral service that specialises in recommending the most suitable, appropriate, and effective treatment programmes in each individual case.
To learn more about how we can support you or someone you know through your ketamine rehabilitation journey, contact our addiction support line on 0800 140 4690 today.
[1] Wright, M., 1982. Pharmacologic effects of ketamine and its use in veterinary medicine. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 180(12), pp.1462-1471.
[2] Aan Het Rot, M., Zarate Jr, C.A., Charney, D.S. and Mathew, S.J., 2012. Ketamine for depression: where do we go from here?. Biological psychiatry, 72(7), pp.537-547.
