Created on: Thursday, 16 March 2017 Modified on: Wednesday, 06 March 2019

Ketamine Detox & Treatment Programs in the United States

Ketamine are an extremely potent dissociative anesthetic, and are very commonly used in veterinary medicine, but has become popular as a recreational drug. 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.

The use of Ketamine can cause an addiction and the combination with this drug with alcohol and other drugs is dangerous. 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 a tolerance and an addiction, which will cause withdrawal effects.

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 the long-term use with 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.

How long will Ketamine show up on a drug test?

Ketamine, being an anesthetic, can be detected through urine tests. It is dependent upon the quantity ingested. For frequent/heavy users, it can take up to 3 to 4 days for detection. However, for lower quantities, it can take only about 1 to 2 days.

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
• Orallly

It has severe withdrawal effects as more quantity is required every time a user takes it.

How to detox from Ketamine

Chronic ketamine users should never attempt to detox off Ketamine without the help of qualified professionals. Withdrawal symptoms include agitation, confusion, memory loss, rage, nausea, respiratory depression, and cognitive impairment. Medical detox programs or a conventional detox will offer the safest options for help.

How long does Ketamine stay in your system?

Ketamine has a very short half-life of only about 2.5-4 hours. It takes just between 14-16 hours for Ketamine to be eliminated from your body completely. Although at maximum, it can take 24 hours for complete cleaning, high dosages can give different results.