It takes about 1 g of ketamine to perform major surgery on a horse. This amount of the drug puts the animal into an unconscious state in which it feels no pain. The same dose is used by ketamine addicts several times a day to achieve narcotic intoxication. Addiction develops quickly, leading to serious health problems, reduced life expectancy and quality of life, and in the case of an overdose, death.
At New Breath Recovery, a rehab center located in California, you can undergo a comprehensive ketamine addiction treatment program with the help of experienced doctors in a highly comfortable environment.
What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine is an anesthetic and painkiller used in veterinary medicine and emergency medicine. In recent years, it has often been used to treat depression.
Ketamine acts on NMDA receptors in the brain, blocking them and thereby disrupting the transmission of signals between neurons. This leads to changes in the perception of pain and the environment, and the appearance of a feeling of distance from the body. Therefore, ketamine belongs to the group of dissociative anesthetics.
Causes of Ketamine Addiction
Dependence on ketamine can develop due to its pharmacological and psychotropic properties.
The main reasons for the development of ketamine dependence:
- Euphoria and hallucinations. Ketamine induces feelings of euphoria, relaxation and altered perception of reality;
- Tolerance. Over time, the body becomes accustomed to ketamine, and an increased dose is required to achieve the same effect;
- Psychological dependence. Ketamine abuse leads to psychological dependence, where a person begins to feel the need for the drug in order to cope with emotional and psychological difficulties;
- Mental health problems. People with depression, anxiety disorders, or other mental illnesses may use the drug for self-help, which increases the risk of addiction;
- Environment. Social pressures and the availability of the drug may contribute to frequent use of the psychoactive substance.
Signs and Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction
Signs of ketamine dependence can manifest themselves at the physical, psychological and behavioral levels.
At the physical level, dependence can be identified by the development of tolerance, where an increased dose of the drug is required to achieve the same effect. When ketamine is discontinued, symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, tremors, sweating, and depression may occur. Health deteriorates: loss of appetite, weight loss, chronic pain, bladder, liver and kidney problems.
At the mental level, addiction is manifested by a constant desire to use ketamine, inability to control the amount and frequency of use, mood swings, irritability, and depressive states. Cognitive abilities deteriorate: there are memory problems and difficulties with planning and decision-making.
The patient’s behavior changes. Social isolation develops, problems at work or school appear, and the social circle changes.
Signs of addiction can vary from person to person and depend on many factors, including the duration and intensity of use. If someone is suspected of being addicted to ketamine, it is important to seek professional help from a treatment center, which should include consultation with a physician, psychologist or addiction specialist.
Types of Ketamine Addiction Treatment Options
Ketamine addiction treatment involves several approaches that focus on the patient’s physical, psychological, and social recovery.
It may include:
- Medical treatment. This includes detoxification and drug therapy. These serve to cleanse the body of ketamine, alleviate withdrawal symptoms, and manage associated psychiatric disorders;
- Psychotherapy. The use of cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, dialectical behavioral therapy helps to change attitudes toward drug use and avoid relapses;
- Group therapy. Active communication with people who have similar problems allows them to share their own and benefit from other people’s experiences in order to overcome drug cravings.
Rehabilitation programs are developed individually. In the most difficult cases, treatment is carried out in a hospital. If positive results are achieved, an outpatient format is possible.
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The Process of Treating Ketamine Addiction
The first stage of treatment is always the recognition of the problem. The patient must recognize the problem on his/her own and come to the center voluntarily. At this stage, motivational interviewing helps to strengthen the inner motivation to change.
The next step is the assessment of the patient’s condition. It includes medical examination, psychological evaluation and analysis of the history of addiction. Based on the diagnostic results, an individualized treatment plan is developed.
To minimize withdrawal symptoms, medical detox and supportive therapy are used. At the same time, a set of psychotherapy techniques is used to combat the underlying causes that led to the development of craving for drugs.
All further steps are aimed at relapse prevention and may include various therapies and techniques to improve awareness and reduce stress.
It is important that treatment is sustained and supportive, as the rehabilitation process can take a considerable amount of time and require ongoing self-management.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ketamine Addiction Treatment
In this block, we have answered questions that we are often asked by patients and their families.
How is ketamine addiction treated differently from other substances?
Ketamine addiction treatment has some unique characteristics that set it apart from addiction treatment for other substances. There are no specific antagonists for ketamine, like naloxone for opioids, making the detoxification process more complex and less predictable.
Because of the dissociative effects caused by ketamine ingestion, specific psychotherapeutic approaches, the use of cognitive behavioral therapy, and a focus on dissociation are required. Ketamine addiction is often more psychological than physical, making it important to use therapies aimed at changing thinking and behavior.
Ketamine addiction treatment requires comprehensive and customized rehab that takes into account the unique characteristics of this substance and the specific effects it has on the human body and psyche.
What are the long-term effects of ketamine abuse?
The long-term effects of ketamine abuse affect physical health and mental health.
Long-term use of the drug primarily affects:
- the bladder and kidneys. The walls of the organs are destroyed, there is pain when urinating, blood enters the urine, and kidney failure may develop;
- the liver. Exposure to the drug can lead to liver damage, the development of cirrhosis and hepatitis;
- heart and blood vessels. There is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease due to increased blood pressure;
- brain. Due to neuronal damage, cognitive abilities are impaired;
- psyche. Against the background of strong psychological dependence, there are problems with memory, attention, concentration, anxiety disorders, depression, psychosis, dissociative disorders develop.
When using ketamine, there is always a risk of overdose, which can lead to coma or death.
Are there medications specifically for treating ketamine addiction?
There are currently no medications specifically designed to treat ketamine dependence. However, some medications may be used as part of a recovery program to manage symptoms and co-occurring disorders: antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, etc.
What therapies are effective in treating ketamine addiction?
Ketamine addiction treatment requires a comprehensive approach that combines medication, psychotherapeutic and social methods.
These methods include:
- medically supervised detoxification;
- medication-assisted treatment;
- psychotherapy;
- group and behavioral therapy;
- social rehabilitation;
- support after the main course of treatment is completed.
Each case of the disease is unique, so treatment should be tailored individually.
Can ketamine addiction lead to permanent damage?
Yes, ketamine addiction can lead to irreversible consequences for both physical and mental health. The longer a person takes the psychoactive substance, the greater the damage to the body. Early intervention and comprehensive treatment prevents or mitigates some of the negative effects of addiction.
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