Ketamine Addiction: The Facts

January 14, 2026

2:10 pm

Ketamine Addiction Detox Rehab

Table of contents

Ketamine addiction, detox, rehab: Four words that are not a conversation starter.

Ketamine addiction is no joke.

Cheap, easily available and for some, something they use and forget. For others, it becomes an extremely serious addiction.

Not only is using Ketamine dangerous, but the health problems that can result will be devastating.

Young men and women, in their late teens and early twenties, having to live with permanent catheters is no fun.

Ketamine Addiction Detox Rehab

What is Ketamine?

In short: It is an anaesthetic.

Used in hospitals and by doctors at roadside emergencies, Ketamine is used to anaesthetise patients for traumatic amputations and serious injuries. It is also used by vets when dealing with larger animals such as big cats in Africa.

Like most prescribed drugs, it’s use evolves and Ketamine has found itself being abused. It is now widely found on the club scene as well as being used by people at home or away from crowds.

Ketamine Addiction Detox Rehab

What Does Ketamine Do?

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic. It means that you feel detached from reality when you take it.

When you take it , due to it’s hallucinogenic effects you will experience a detachment. Not only from pain, but from reality and emotion. This is why people take it outside of a hospital setting.

Stress of life, work problems, relationship difficulties, childhood trauma and abuse: These are all reasons why people start to use Ketamine.

The problem is, they soon find they can not live without it.

Forget what well meaning people tell you: It is highly addictive and extremely dangerous. Yes, it is used to treat depression but at very diluted amounts and only to enhance the effects of psychotherapy.

If you have been diagnosed with depression taking Ketamine is not going to help you.

Ketamine Addiction Detox Rehab

Tolerance to Ketamine

When you take Ketamine it works on certain receptors in your brain.

If you take it on a regular basis, the actual chemistry of your brain will change to accommodate the presence of Ketamine.

Continued change leads to a phenomenon called tolerance. This means that you will need more and more of the drug to have the same effect as the amount you took when you first started taking it.

If you stop taking it suddenly (which you never should) the brain will not be able to cope with the immediate change. As a result, incorrect chemical messaging occurs and this is what causes the symptoms known as withdrawal.

Ketamine Addiction Detox Rehab

Key Takeaways

  • Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that can lead to severe addiction and serious health issues.
  • Withdrawal from Ketamine can cause numerous symptoms, including anxiety, confusion, and severe agitation.
  • Recovery from Ketamine addiction is possible through professional rehab, which includes detox and therapy.
  • Rehab provides a supportive environment and teaches coping strategies to prevent relapse after treatment.
  • Aftercare programs offer continued support for at least 12 months post-treatment to help maintain recovery.

Ketamine Withdrawal Symptoms:

  • Seeing double
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Uncontrollable anxiety
  • Rapid onset depression
  • 24/7 cravings
  • Fast pulse
  • High blood pressure
  • Rapid breathing
  • Severe agitation
  • Confusion
  • Psychosis
  • Extreme fatigue
  • Poor co-ordination
  • Nausea
  • Loss of hearing
  • Reoccurring thoughts of suicide

Signs of Ketamine Addiction

It is not always easy to see when someone is using Ketamine.

Some of the signs can include:

  • Very regular visits to the toilet/wetting themselves
  • Asking for money
  • Memory problems/appearing confused
  • Unable to form bonds with people
  • Appearing emotionally disconnected, flat and apathetic

The Physical Effects of Ketamine Use

Ketamine causes many long term physical problems of which urinary tract and bladder damage are only two.

There can be permanent damage to:

  • Liver
  • Kidney
  • Immune system
  • Eyes

It is not uncommon for young people, still in their teens, to have to use a catheter, for life, due to Ketamine use.

Mental and Emotional Impact

Using Ketamine creates a perfect storm.

You feel anxious, depressed, sad, detached from the world so you use Ketamine.

Problem is, Ketamine induces the very feelings you used Ketamine for to avoid.

The answer is never the next hit.

There is a way out of Ketamine addiction: Rehab.

Never try and treat yourself at home: You risk an acute medical emergency.

Worse still, the cravings will be incredibly intense.

When you stop, your tolerance drops: Quickly.

When, and not if, you succumb to the cravings you will try and use an amount you think will settle you. This is when people overdose: by acccident.

Overdose on Ketamine and you are unlikely to make it. It is usually fatal.

Rec

Recovery From Ketamine Addiction

Recovery is possible.

Treatment at home should never be attempted. The risk is just too great.

Residential rehab gives you all the elements needed to get you through.

Many of the staff in rehab are in active recovery themselves. While everyone’s experience of recovery is different, there are common themes.

At the very least, if you are craving a 3AM in rehab there is someone there to help. To hold your hand, make you a drink, listen to you: They have probably been in the same situation. At home you won’t have support just dealers trying to fleece you.

Detox

Unlike alcohol and heroin there is no detox from Ketamine. However, medication is essential to safely withdraw.

The addictions clinician at the rehab centre will assess you and prescribe medication. This is crucial so you can make a safe transition. You may only need it for a few days but to try and do it without would be incredibly dangerous.

The nursing and trained support staff will monitor you and liase with the clinician should your treatment plan need adjusting.

Ketamine Addiction Detox Rehab

Therapy

12 STEP, SMART, eclectic. It really doesn’t matter.

What is important is that you get into treatment.

The groups and individual sessions will be full of laughter, tears, hope and exploration.

They will be challenging. The reason why you started using will be delved into: It has to be.

Unless you deal with the reasons you were using, you will relapse.

Relapse Prevention

Rehab is a warm and nuturing place.

You will be accepted by the group. No one cares if you are a billionaire or a cleaner.

The therapy is challenging but everyone there is there to support you.

When you leave you won’t have that immediate support 24/7. Time to fend for yourself.

In rehab you will be given the skills to do so.

Relapse happens: Fact. Learning how to prevent it as well as what to do if you do relapse is the cornerstone of the skills you will learn in rehab.

Ketamine Addiction Detox Rehab

Aftercare

All centres provide aftercare for at least 12 months post treatment.

This is usually a weekly support group in addition to a telephone check in.

Should you find yourself struggling, there will be a dedicated number to call for help.

Free Advice and Referrals From an Experienced Addictions Clinician

We are addictions clinicians.

Whatever the problem, we can advise you on a way forward.

Our advice is free, impartial and confidential.

We can advise you on where to get help and what you need (as well as what you don’t!)

Our service is registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

We only signpost to legally registered centres.

Need help finding the right rehab for you or a loved one? Get in touch today and take the first step toward recovery.

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