Ketamine is an anesthetic used in both veterinary and human medicine. It is unpopular in human medicine due to what is termed emergent experiences while under its influence. These emergent experiences are why ketamine is so popular among the dance and drug seeking crowds. According to the National Institute on Mental Health, a review of studies done on ketamine users shows that most of them are men and women who use ketamine for its dissociative properties.

What is Psychological Dependence?

Psychological dependence is when you are mentally unable to stop the drug. There is no physical withdrawal only mental one. This means you cannot stop taking the drug because you are addicted to what it does both mentally and emotionally.

How do you Become Psychologically Dependent on Ketamine?

As the primary purpose of using ketamine, the psychological dissociative effects become very important when you are considering whether you are dependent on the drug or not. Your brain becomes used to feeling the effects of euphoria and dissociation. You find that you have no desire to be without these effects for any length of time and sometimes lack the will power to stop using them.

Signs you are Dependent on Ketamine

There are several signs that you could be psychologically dependent on ketamine. These signs are:

Experiencing depression when you don’t have ketamine is a sign of dependence.

• Unwillingness stop using the drug despite its negative consequences
• Depression and melancholy when you stop taking it
• Increased need to have it
• Tolerance or having to take more and more of it in order to achieve the same effect
• Preoccupation with acquiring, using, and reacquiring the drug
• Mental withdrawal symptoms such as dysphoria

These are almost sure signs that you have a psychological dependence on ketamine. There are other behavioral signs that are signs for drug addiction in general such as:

• Loss of income due to the drug use
• Failing to pay bills or other important things and using the money for drugs
• Not meeting social obligations because of the drug
• Drug seeking behavior

These are signs that are seen in both psychical and psychological addiction. Most people who are addicts experience several of these issues.

Why is Psychological Dependence on Ketamine Dangerous?

Psychological dependence on ketamine is dangerous because ketamine has some serious long term side effects such as:

• Cognitive dysfunction
• Learning disabilities
• Urinary issues
• A variety of cancers are associated with long term heavy usage
• Inability to communicate with others due to extensive cognitive dissociation

These side effects sometimes resolve themselves but may be permanent if not treated and the ketamine addiction is not taken care of.

The Ketamine Abuse Cycle and the Need for Ketamine Addiction Treatment

How to Find Help for a Psychological Dependence on Ketamine

If you are psychologically dependent on ketamine, it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible before the more damaging long term effects become permanent problems. Treatment for psychological addiction usually involves cognitive and behavioral therapy. We can help you find the treatment you need. For more information call us at 800-915-1270 (Who Answers?).