Is Ketamine Addictive?

Is Ketamine Addictive If Added To Other Substances?

Ketamine (Ketalar) is a drug that was placed on the controlled substance list in 1999. People ask, “Is ketamine addictive?” The answer is yes. Ketamine is mentally addictive, and users develop strong cravings for the drug. It is a “dissociative anesthetic” that is used legally by veterinarians in the treatment of animals and illegally as a recreational drug.

What Are The Effects Of Ketamine Use?

Ketamine, as an illegal street drug, is used in several ways. It may be added to marijuana joints, snorted, put into drinks, or injected. There are both long- and short-term effects from the drug, which lead to ketamine addiction and can include the following:

• Rapid heart beat
• Increase in blood pressure
• Depression
• Numbness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Amnesia
• Hallucinations
• Cardio vascular arrhythmias
• Anorexia
• Slurred speech
• Loss of consciousness
• Airway obstruction
• Potential for fatal respiratory issues

Ketamine creates a detached abstract state where the user is unable to move, and that has led to its use as a “date-rape” drug. Ketamine abuse leads some users to take high doses of the drug to achieve the effect called “K-Hole,” which is an “out-of-body” or “near-death” experience that becomes mentally addictive. The most common street names for Ketamine include Special K, K, cat Valium, super c, green, and bump. Ketamine is sometimes stolen from veterinary offices and clinics. At the present time, the majority of ketamine used in the US is smuggled in from Mexico.

Dangers of Ketamine Use

Ketamine is a dangerous drug, and there is no level at which it can be safely used. Hallucinations created by the drug’s use can be dangerous, and it can cause death from respiratory blockage or failure. The user becomes addicted to the experiences created by the drug including the escape from reality and the “out-of-body” experience. Because the drug makes movement difficult while blurring the surrounding activities, it is a popular date-rape drug. Women should be aware of the dangers associated with Ketamine and avoid small gatherings or parties where it may be present.

Ketamine Abuse Treatment

Users can quickly become psychologically dependent on ketamine. As their tolerance builds they use larger and more frequent doses. Ketamine alters the opioid receptors in the brain, and the withdrawal symptoms can be severe and dangerous. Intense depression increases the risk of suicide during withdrawal in an uncontrolled setting. In the greater Fort Myers FL area, help is available for Ketamine addicts at White Sands Treatment Center. Withdrawal symptoms can include depression, agitation, confusion, difficulty hearing, double vision, fatigue, insomnia, poor coordination, poor motor skills, rapid heartbeat, and the shakes.

During withdrawal, the user may be emotionally unstable and confused. Withdrawal in a professional setting provides the stability the individual needs. Weeks after withdrawal, ketamine can still cause flashbacks. At White Sands in Fort Myers, individuals with ketamine addiction can receive counseling to help with their understanding of how the drug affected them psychologically. They also receive supportive therapy and medications to lessens the symptoms of withdrawal. Counseling is important because ketamine addiction affects the family of users also. After going through withdrawal, the individual needs a sense of community and accountability. Counseling and behavioral therapies can address these needs.

The Ketamine addict must be committed to stopping the use of the drug and be willing to get professional treatment. In situations where multiple drug dependencies are present, it’s important to go through withdrawal in a supervised detox program because a higher level of care is required. A support group is important for the person who has gone through withdrawal in order to remain off the drug. Call White Sands Treatment Center if you or someone you love is addicted to Ketamine.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.