Although highly dangerous, it is often seen as a sociable way to get high, with users buying it in powder form and snorting it. At the urology department of Burnley General Hospital, 26-year-old Ryan (not his real name) is having a drug solution inserted through a catheter – part of his treatment for a condition known as ketamine bladder. This procedure will not completely reverse the damage inflicted by Ryan’s previous addiction to the Class B drug, but it will help him manage the symptoms. It’s important to be diligent about K bladder though, as if left unchecked, it can have serious consequences, and has even resulted in some people having their bladders removed. “Around 50% of people who have K bladder symptoms may experience a recovery, but many are left with chronic urinary issues, with extreme cases requiring bladder removal and a urinary diversion through a colostomy bag,” warns Carney. Ketamine is a dissociative drug, which means it causes people to feel separated or detached from their body or environment.
Ketamine: A Comprehensive Overview of Its Uses, Abuse, Side Effects, and Recovery
The dependence also affected his daily life, causing him to prioritise ketamine use over responsibilities, relationships and personal well-being. Detoxification is a critical first step in overcoming ketamine addiction. The process aims to eliminate the drug from the ketamine addiction body while managing withdrawal symptoms and preparing individuals for long-term recovery.
PLOS Mental Health
You can prevent ketamine addiction relapse by a combination of proactive strategies and lifestyle changes to maintain sobriety. Developing healthy habits, such as regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep, strengthen physical and mental health. Establishing a strong bond with family, friends, or support groups, provides essential encouragement and accountability during recovery. Identifying personal triggers, like certain environments or stressful situations, and learning to navigate them is key to avoiding relapse. Regular counseling or therapy offers tools to manage cravings and emotional challenges, avoiding interactions with drug users and high-risk situations further reduces temptation.
Ketamine Withdrawal
Two previous reviews 30,31 and one retrospective survey 20 attempted to evaluate risk for abuse of ketamine when used as an antidepressant. The reviews noted no concerns in clinical studies beyond a few single case reports. The retrospective survey found that there were some patients who did”like” the effects and even had cravings for ketamine, but that overall risk appeared low. Our survey results appear consistent – few respondents noted cravings, drug-seeking behavior, or inappropriate use of ketamine, but notably none reported more than one of these things occurring at once. We noted that 10 respondents reported tolerance to ketamine, and this has been previously described in terms of tachyphylaxis to dissociative effects.
The evidence of psilocybin’s clinical significance even prompted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to designate the federally illegal compound as a “breakthrough therapy” for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) in 2018 and 2019, respectively. As of now, ketamine is the only legal psychedelic substance available to the public across the US, and the only country to have legalized therapeutic uses of psilocybin and MDMA is Australia. However, psychedelic-assisted therapy may be available through research centers that are conducting controlled trials on PAT using a variety of psychedelics for individuals with specific conditions. Drugs classified as “psychedelics” (also called “hallucinogens”) are a group of natural or synthetic psychoactive substances that cause altered states of human perception and mood.
- There was one response for prolonged trauma flashbacks, lasting 30 minutes and resolving spontaneously with psychological support.
- Ketamine was originally developed as an alternative to PCP, but it had more powerful side effects, so its use was relegated to animal medicine.
- The drug hit headlines recently when linked to the death of The Vivienne, real name James Lee Williams.
- Calls to any general helpline will be answered by treatment providers, each of which is a paid advertiser.
- However, some respondents also used ketamine for anesthesia and/or pain indications and questions surrounding dosing, safety measures and adverse effects did not clearly distinguish different indications.
- Additionally, when the user is temporarily paralyzed by the drug, they won’t be able to clear their airway, which can lead them to choke and potentially die from aspiration.
- Inform your provider of any medications you are taking or of any heart conditions to better understand whether PAT is safe for you.
In addition to the NHS and private treatment centres like Delamere, there are also charities and organisations that can be useful resources too. Having a family member, friend or colleague who is in denial about a ketamine addiction can be a very isolating experience. “Compared to opioids, we know that ketamine does have a lower potential in being addictive, but it can and does cause dependence,” stresses Carney. “Common symptoms to look out for include suprapubic pain (otherwise known as ‘k-cramps’), pain during urination and blood in the urine,” she adds. “Historically, this syndrome has been missed by clinicians as the symptoms often mimic those of a urinary tract infection or bladder cancer.” If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to seek professional help for ketamine addiction.