Understanding Ketamine Addiction and Recovery

Ketamine is cheap. Easily available, incredibly addictive and should only be used by doctors at in hospitals and at the scenes of serious accidents (or by vets when treating a Lion).

It has it’s uses within the medical world but, sadly, it has spread to the illegal drug scene. It is neither harmless or something you can just ignore the effects of.

Ketamine can leave you in constant pain and attached to a permanent catheter.

Long term Ketamine recovery is possible. Let our experienced addictions clinicians explain how.

What is ketamine addiction?

Ketamine, like most drugs, if you take enough of it for a period of time: you will get addicted to it. Indeed, because it changes your brain chemistry so you will need ever increasing amounts to get the same effect as a small amount used to.

If you need 24 Hour Addiction Help, Free Clinician Drug Advice call and speak, without charge, to an experienced addictions clinician at Find Me a Rehab

Used in medical settings

Used in both human and animal medicine, Ketamine is an anaesthetic used in surgery.

Commonly found in the kit of roadside doctors as part of advanced medical teams for major injuries as it can be used when performing emergency amputations.

It relieves pain as well as inducing unconsciousness.

Micro dosing for psychotherapy

Latterly, it is being used by psychiatrists to assist with psychotherapy (at micro dose level). This is because there is an emerging body of evidence that Ketamine enhances the effects of certain talking therapies: But at very low doses.

The negative effects of Ketamine use

Ketamine can make you hallucinate, disconnect you from reality and make rapid changes to your pulse and blood pressure.

If you use it frequently it may well affect your relationships, work, study, interests and finances.

Your ever waking moment will be spent trying to source it.

If you stop taking it the withdrawals will be so severe that you are extremely likely to take it to stop them.

Risk of accidental overdose

Problem is, your tolerance to Ketamine (the changes in brain chemistry when you take it) will start to reverse.

This means you will need to use more than you did before. This puts you at risk of overdose, coma and death.

Why rehab for ketamine addiction recovery ?

Home treatment for Ketamine is very risky

Trying to stop Ketamine addiction at home will not work.

Indeed, it can be extremely dangerous.

While it is a nice idea that you can remain at home, in surroundings you know with your loved ones, the fact is they will not be equipped to help you with the withdrawals that follow and the therapy you need.

Cravings

Of all the drugs people are addicted to, the withdrawals from Ketamine induce the strongest cravings.

Without professional input from a clinician, with a treatment plan including adjunctive medication to get you through the withdrawals, and the support of therapists and support staff (often in recovery themselves) your chances of recovery are very slim.

Recovery from Ketamine addiction

In rehab, indeed even before you arrive, you will have been assessed by a clinician so a treatment plan can be drawn up that involves you in your treatment.

When you need, if you need, adjunctive medication to get you through it is available 24/7 in rehab.

There are trained staff on hands, at all times, to help you.

Sometimes, due to the nature of Ketamine, medical emergencies can arise.

At home, alone , you would have to fend for yourself.

You are more likely to call a dealer than an ambulance and then be back at square one.

Possible side-effects of ketamine addiction

Aside from permanent bladder damage (having to be attached to a catheter 24/7) , the hallucinations, loss of memory and aggressive behaviour there is the danger of a K hole.

This occurs when you consume large quantities of Ketamine.

K hole

In a K hole you will experience very distressing hallucinations similar to a near death experience.

When an anaesthetic is used by a medical professional patient is monitored with medical monitoring devices with emergency drugs on hand.

In a K hole you are own your own: Literally. Death is not uncommon, sadly.

If you need 24 Hour Addiction Help, Free Clinician Drug Advice call and speak, without charge, to an experienced addictions clinician at Find Me a Rehab.

Recognising ketamine addiction

While Ketamine affects everyone who uses it differently, there are some common indications of use:

• Seizures
• Unconsioucness
• Severe nauseas
• Extreme stomach pains
• No feeling of pain
• Uncontrollable vomiting
• Frequent fainitng
• Seeing two of everthing (double vision)
• Aggrres
• Loosing connection with reality
• Spasms
• Delirium(medical emergency)

Getting help with Ketamine addiction recovery

Getting into recovery from Ketamine is possible.

Many have done it.

Most of the staff at rehab centres are in recovery themselves, many for decades.

If you see help you may be able to reverse the damage you have done to your body.

Admission can be arranged within 24 hours. Sometimes, in an emergency: The same day.

We do not charge for making a referral or for a consultation.

In rehab there are medical and therapeutic staff on site with support staff who are focused on only one thing: Your recovery. Recovery is hard work, but worth it.

What does rehab for ketamine involve?

The first step is to speak to one of our experienced addictions clinicians.

We do not charge for this.

They all have decades of experience of treating patients caught up in the madness of addiction.

We can refer you, again without charge, to any centre in the UK. Our clinicians have worked in most of them!

Medicated assisted withdrawal

Knowing if you will need adjunctive medication before you start to withdrawing is impossible to tell.

That is why your treating clinician will prescribe medication for when it is necessary.

This medication will ease the symptoms of withdrawal.

However, the medical input (while crucial) is only a very small part of the treatment plan.

Addiction is a symptom

Therapy is the key to success.

All centres revolve around a group therapy model augmented by individual therapy, family therapy and other evidenced based treatments.

Sure, there are centers that offer sound baths and shakra healing but that is an unnecessary expense and not that useful.

Building resilience

Aside from resolving underlying trauma and treating any co-existing mental health conditions, rehab is about preparing a mental toolkit that will enable you to tackle cravings after you complete rehab.

It is also about learning how to deal with difficult situations that would, before , have led use to use.

All centres offer a minimum of a years aftercare.

This can be in person or by video conferencing.

How long does rehab for ketamine last?

There are no quick fixes in life.

Those who go for a week (though most centres would not accept someone for less than a minimum of 2 weeks, at least) are the ones most likely to relapse.

Usually, treatment plans are for 28 days but shorter ones are available. Remember: It is not just about medical management but therapy.

What Does Find Me a Rehab do For Ketamine addiction?

We give advice: Without charge.

Our experienced addictions clinicians provide a free advice and referral service.

As they have worked in most of the major rehab centres in the UK they are happy to pass on their experience and knowledge.

All calls and emails are treated in the strictest of medical confidence.

We are impartial.

Beware of the hard sell

We do this because the internet is awash with referral agents who will sell you anything to earn commission.

Sadly, online selling for rehab is not a regulated industry.

They will make promises that centres can never keep. Our advice is , as it has always been (and will always be): Free.

If you need 24 Hour Addiction Help, Free Clinician Drug Advice call and speak, without charge, to an experienced addictions clinician at Find Me a Rehab.

Getting help with Ketamine addiction recovery

Call and speak with one of our experienced addictions clinicians.

You can get free, confidential and impartial advice on any aspect of addiction, detox, rehab, therapy, relapse prevention and aftercare.

Our clinicians can discuss treatment options, treatment plans, costings, locations and logistics.

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