The Dangers of Ketamine Use: What You Need to Know

What is Ketamine?  Understanding its complexities is crucial as we look into ketamine addiction treatment options.

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic that has been in use, medically, since 1970. Used by medical doctors and vetinarians, it was widely used in the Vietnam war by American military medical services. Latterly, it has been used for treating long standing pain conditions. More recently, in very small doses, it is being used to enhance the effects of psychotherapy for those having treatment for depression. Ketamine addiction treatment is achievable.  

Ketamine addiction treatment

If are struggling with Ketamine addiction call and speak to one of our experienced addictions clinicians. We can provide 24 hour addiction help as well as help you find a rehab with our free rehab referral service.

What is a dissociative anaesthetic?  

Such medications have a psychedelic effect. They will make the person using it feel detached from the environment, and from their body. It can also make people hallucinate as well as change thoughts, levels of consciousness and emotions.  

Like many commercial drugs, licenced for use in the medical and animal care sectors, they become abused and are sold to be used illicitly. More worryingly, it is often used as a date rape drug by slipping it into someone’s drink. Ketamine is both odourless and tasteless and comes in a clear liquid form. It is big on the nightclub and party circuit because it gives the user the feeling that they are moulding into the surroundings while experiencing out of body feelings.  

In the USA, as early as 1999 the item was restricted and possession for non-prescribed use became illegal because it was becoming clear that there was a serious problem: People were becoming addicted. It is, usually, cheaper than other drugs to source on the street. 

Sometimes known as Jet fuel, it is also called K, special K, vitamin K and even cat tranquilizer (which can be used for by a vet). Sadly, criminals target vet surgeries, especially, to steal Ketamine to be sold illegally. It is sometimes manufactured as a white powder made for re-constitution or in liquid form. As a powder it can be snorted or smoked by mixing it with tobacco or cannabis.  

Ketamine addiction treatment

What does Ketamine do? 

As with any drug, while there are similarities, everyone reacts differently. Generally, a low dose will produce pain relief and sedation. Higher doses will make someone feel detached from themselves and their surroundings.  

While it’s effects can be as short as 15 minutes, it can also last up to several hours in others. This usually depends on how much was taken and the route of administration: injected, smoked, snorted, swallowed as a liquid.  

Some of the effects of Ketamine include:  

• Unconsciousness 

• Slow breathing (acute medical emergency)  

• Nausea 

• Vomiting 

• Muscle stiffness 

• Chronic bladder infections and lower urinary tract infections 

• Slurred speech 

• Acute cardiovascular event (high blood pressure, fast heartbeat, chest pain, irregular heart rhythm, palpitations. 

• Memory loss 

• Poor attention span  

• Extreme anxiety 

• Acute paranoia 

• Vivid hallucinations 

• Death from hypothermia 

• Kidney disease 

• Chronic stomach pain  

• Depression  

• Long term memory loss 

• Ulcers 

When used with other drugs, especially alcohol, these issues are intensified.  

Why does it affect the bladder?  

While medical science has not, yet, concluded it is clear the lining of the bladder becomes inflamed probably due to the breakdown of the drug. Any drug in the body is broken down into metabolites which leave the body via the bladder. It is these metabolites that, when encountering the bladder wall, cause irritation.  

Ketamine bladder is a very serious, incredibly painful chronic condition for which there is no treatment or cure. It can lead to permanent urinary catherization. Commonly it can cause blood clots in urine.  

If are struggling with Ketamine addiction call and speak to one of our experienced addictions clinicians. We can provide 24 hour addiction help as well as help you find a rehab with our free rehab referral service.

Treatment for Ketamine addiction  

There is no detox for Ketamine rather someone in rehab would be closely monitored by medical professionals and, usually, prescribed medication to ensure the person safely transitions from dependency to abstinence.  

Ketamine addiction treatment

Due to the very significant medical issues that Ketamine can produce and the extreme craving and psychological distress associated with dependency on Ketamine this can never be done at home. While some companies suggest you can sit at home and join therapy sessions via zoom this is extremely risky.

If are struggling with Ketamine addiction call and speak to one of our experienced addictions clinicians. We can provide 24 hour addiction help as well as help you find a rehab with our free rehab referral service.  

Recent Posts