People who abuse this drug do report they struggle with dependency, withdrawals, a tolerance to the drug, and cravings. The heavy use of this drug is common and dangerous and will lead to addiction-like symptoms. The common signs of a Ketamine addiction will include the withdrawal effects, as ketamine does alter the brain’s chemistry, leading to tolerance and addiction, which will cause withdrawal effects. Anyone with an addiction to Ketamine should find help at a drug rehab center. This will include a detox program followed by an outpatient or inpatient drug treatment.
The withdrawal symptoms will include increased heart rate, tremors, increased body temperature, muscle aches and pains, and changes in appetite. A psychological dependency and decline in daily responsibilities are also very common. The use of Ketamine will create physical and psychological dependencies, and over time, the psychological dependency will become so great, that everyday use will be required. With a daily drug habit, the family will notice a steady decline in responsibility and being able to function within routine life. The user will experience diminished learning and memory skills, lack of impulse control, lack of motor coordination, and communication difficulties.
The increased tolerance with Ketamine will change, and this will lead to drastic changes in lifestyle such as an inability to hold down a job, legal problems, financial issues, relationship conflicts, and family difficulties. It is important that a ketamine addiction is properly treated because long-term use of the drug can lead to significant physical and mental health problems.
Throughout the United States are numerous types of drug and alcohol rehabilitation services and programs. Ketamine addiction can be effectively treated with the proper detox, either conventional or medical to help with the withdrawal symptoms. Either a long-term or a short-term drug treatment center will be effective, and depending upon the severity of the addiction; residential or outpatient treatment can work. Most ketamine users are also using other drugs, and this is all part of the overall addiction. The mixture of ketamine with alcohol, for example, can become extremely dangerous, because both alcohol and ketamine produce dissociative effects. Ketamine addicts should take the time to locate a program that will treat their addiction, and it is important that their family takes every step to help enter a suitable drug treatment program. Ketamine is still a very popular drug throughout the United States, and the recreational use of ketamine can lead to other drug problems. Treating a ketamine addiction does not have to be difficult and with the right type of help and counseling, an addict can overcome the addiction and the underlying problems.
Ketamine History
Ketamine was a drug that was developed in the 1960s to be used as a safer anesthetic, however, ketamine was soon to be found to be dangerously addictive.The recreational and illicit use of Ketamine started in the 1980s and is commonly used as a club drug because of its powerful dissociative properties. The recreational use of Ketamine is higher today than it once was, and the average age group that abuses the drug is between 12 and 25. Unfortunately, teenagers and young adults are the most susceptible to abusing Ketamine and do make up the largest majority of Ketamine abusers. Throughout many of the high schools within the United States, Ketamine is a very popular drug because of the dissociative effects it gives the user.
Is Ketamine Addictive?
Ketamine is a sedative which makes its user feel detached from its surrounding. It is addicting and can be abused through:
- Injection
- Snorting
- Orally
It has severe withdrawal effects as more quantity is required every time a user takes it.
Ask a Professional
What type of drug is ketamine?
Ketamine is an unusual drug of abuse because it’s one of the only ones that also belongs to a class of substances known as dissociative anesthetics. These drugs are primarily used in human anesthesia and veterinary medicine. Ketamine functions similarly to a hallucinogen that causes a person to feel detached from reality.
What does ketamine look like?
Ketamine is commonly found as a whitish powdery substance or as a clear liquid. It may come in a small plastic baggie or a vial. Most ketamine sold illicitly was intended for veterinary use and stolen, so it may be in the original pharmaceutical container.
How long does ketamine stay in your system?
Ketamine stays in the system for a relatively long period compared to other drugs of abuse, sometimes taking as long as 30 days before it’s no longer detectable in the urine. However, this period may be much shorter, depending on several factors. The amount consumed and frequency of use before cessation play a significant role, as do the person’s health and habits.
Is ketamine addictive?
Yes, ketamine is an addictive substance. Although it doesn’t produce physical dependence like many other drugs, including opioids, alcohol, and benzodiazepines, ketamine can cause psychological dependence. The person may crave the drug and continue taking it regularly despite efforts to change.
How is ketamine used?
Ketamine is most commonly snorted. However, it may also be taken orally or injected intravenously. Snorting is the most common way to consume it in the form of a powder, and liquid ketamine is mainly injected. Oral consumption is the least common method of ingestion.
Want to know more?
The questions from Addicted.org’s “Learn from our Experts” are answered by Michael Leach, CCMA. If you need further clarification on any of the questions above or have any other questions you can contact him directly at mike@addicted.org.
