Ketamine, a drug that was designed for use in a hospital or veterinary setting, is widely abused in nightclubs and bars throughout the United States. Users often misinterpret the risks associated with Ketamine and mistakenly believe that the drug is non-addictive. Unfortunately, Ketamine addiction is very real and it is very dangerous.

Consuming Ketamine regularly or repeatedly can quickly lead to a range of symptoms associated with increased tolerance and dependence on the drug. While Ketamine addiction may not be as difficult to overcome as certain other addictions, the dangers are still very real and the risks associated with Ketamine addiction still come to haunt those who fall victim to this terrible disease.

To find Ketamine addiction treatment near you, call 800-915-1270 (Who Answers?).

What is Ketamine Addiction?

Experiencing withdrawal is a sign of Ketamine addiction.

Ketamine addiction is the physical or psychological tolerance that develops when a user takes this drug over and over again. Such tolerance makes the user crave the drug, want more of the drug and do more of the drug. This addiction can lead to an array of potential consequences and side effects that may include withdrawal symptoms, long-term side effects, permanent psychosis or various other problems. While most psychedelic drugs such as Ketamine are not widely considered addictive, this drug does have the potential to cause serious dependence that requires professional treatment if the user decides to quit.

Most of the addiction itself is psychological in nature when Ketamine is involved. For instance, the user will think about the drug and have cravings but these are not paired with heavy physical side effects such as nausea or vomiting when the drug use stops. This is not to say that psychological dependence on Ketamine is any easier to overcome than physical dependence because any drug dependence, either psychological or physical in scope is difficult to overcome and poses many challenges for the user.

Dangers of Ketamine Addiction

Many people mistakenly believe that Ketamine is not addictive because the drug is a psychedelic and psychedelics tend to be less habit forming than other types of drugs. Unfortunately, there are many dangers associated with Ketamine addiction and using this drug can lead to habitual behaviors associated with drug-seeking or drug-cravings that commonly occur when the drug use stops.

Ketamine can cause respiratory failure, increased heart beat, inability to function or understand one’s surroundings, or even coma. As addiction to Ketamine becomes more prevalent, the user will often resort to taking very large doses of the drug in an effort to produce the same “high” that they once enjoyed. As a result, Ketamine addiction often leads to overdose which can have deadly consequences for the user.

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Treatment for Ketamine Addiction

The best way to beat ketamine addiction is to stop it in its tracks as soon as your realize that there’s a problem. It’s important to understand that Ketamine is a drug meant for use in veterinary practices and occasionally in hospitals. If you are using Ketamine for recreational purposes, you’re already at risk of becoming addicted. The best thing you can do for yourself is to quit using the drug immediately and seek professional help.

Treatment for Ketamine addiction will first focus on helping the user to stabilize and overcome any challenges associated with ketamine withdrawal. If Ketamine withdrawal is not a major factor or if the user has already quit for a long enough time for the withdrawal symptoms to subside, the next phase of addiction treatment will consist of therapy and counseling to help the user to learn why they were abusing the drug, how they can prevent such drug abuse and what to do in the future to help control their health and sobriety.

Ketamine addiction may seem impossible to overcome, but with the right help and the right attitude, you can get sober. There are a number of potentially helpful treatment options available to assist those who suffer from addiction with reaching their sobriety goals.

If you or someone you love is addicted to Ketamine, consider calling 800-915-1270 (Who Answers?) for help today!