Ketamine is a powerful substance with medical indications, yet it is also abused as a recreational drug. Once someone becomes dependent on ketamine, it’s a rapid and repetitive cycle of addiction and withdrawal. The only safe way to overcome ketamine dependency is medical ketamine withdrawal treatment in a rehabilitation facility. You’ve come to the right place if you need help with ketamine withdrawal. Our treatment centers target healing for ketamine abuse.
What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a strong painkiller. Technically, it’s a dissociative anesthetic, which means it creates a sense of removal from pain. Often, ketamine is used in veterinary surgery and as a human sedative. Ketamine can be used to treat mood disorders, including major depressive disorder. Notably, ketamine therapy has gained traction as a medically supervised therapeutic treatment. Unfortunately, ketamine is also illicitly used as a dangerous recreational drug that distances individuals from feeling present in their bodies.
Is Ketamine Addictive?
Yes, ketamine is highly addictive because it’s easy to become tolerant and then dependent after a short period. When used medically, doctors will monitor doses to prevent tolerance and can help clients wean off the drug when necessary. However, recreational ketamine use increases your risk of addiction because of a lack of dose control.
What Is Ketamine Withdrawal?
Ketamine withdrawal is the process an individual experiences when they are dependent on ketamine and go too long without it. Ketamine withdrawal symptoms begin when a person tries to stop taking the drug. Because withdrawal is so painful and uncomfortable, it makes it nearly impossible to quit on your own. One characteristic of ketamine is that withdrawal from the substance doesn’t produce many physical effects but has intense psychological symptoms. The brain can become severely hooked on painkillers, making withdrawal feel life-threatening.
Physical Symptoms of Ketamine Withdrawal
Withdrawal from ketamine abuse has adverse physical effects on the body that feel uncomfortable and worrisome. Symptoms can include:
- Nausea
- Tremors
- Exhaustion
- Trouble sleeping
- Accelerated heart rate
- High blood pressure
- Impaired physical coordination
- Trouble breathing
- Seizures
Psychological Symptoms of Ketamine Withdrawal
Many withdrawal symptoms of ketamine are psychological because of the strong effect the drug has on the brain. Anyone who has used ketamine has experienced an altering of the chemical messengers in the brain. Part of the detox process is working to reset brain functioning back to normal. Yet, you will likely experience psychological symptoms, including:
- Cravings
- Agitation
- Anger
- Confusion
- Memory problems
- Dysphoria
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Thoughts of suicide
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Speak With Our Admissions TeamKetamine Withdrawal Timeline
Because ketamine is a powerful anesthetic substance, it produces a strong physical and psychological dependency. Withdrawal symptoms will likely begin after 24 hours without the drug and can continue for days or weeks without treatment. Ketamine addiction withdrawal is broken into two distinct phases, yet the peak stage is also categorized as a significant phase of detox.
Acute Phase of Ketamine Withdrawal
Acute withdrawal refers to the first emergence of symptoms a short period after your last ketamine dose. It usually starts about 24 hours later. A common characteristic of early withdrawal symptoms is they produce the opposite effects of the drug. This can feel like a shock to the system. Markedly, how long the acute withdrawal lasts depends largely on the type of substance you’ve been taking. For ketamine, more abundant use will have a longer withdrawal timeline, but it will be between days and weeks.
Peak Stage of Ketamine Withdrawal
The peak stage of withdrawal is often the hardest part to get through. Symptoms that have been building finally peak in intensity. During the peak withdrawal phase, individuals will feel the most sick and uncomfortable. Comfort medications administered through a medical detox facility can help alleviate symptoms. When the peak stage happens depends on the drug and the individual, but generally between 40-70 hours after the last dose.
Protracted Ketamine Withdrawal
Protracted withdrawal, also called post-acute or extended withdrawal, is symptoms that continue after the detox timeline. Some individuals experience symptoms that return after they complete acute detox. Extended withdrawal can sometimes last for a year or more. Unfortunately, a huge concern of protracted withdrawal is that it can lead to relapse due to the return of cravings. Having the right foundation of rehabilitation, such as relapse prevention skills, reduces the risk of drug relapse.
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Check Your CoverageWho Can Help with Ketamine Withdrawal?
Ketamine is a powerful substance that has mind-altering effects and psychological withdrawal symptoms. It can feel impossible to remove the grip of ketamine from your life. The best place to achieve a total body detox from ketamine is in a rehab treatment center. At Aliya’s nationwide facilities, we provide ketamine withdrawal treatment that emphasizes holistic recovery. Because each person is so much more than their struggles, our treatment focuses on mental, physical, and spiritual wellness. As such, we provide a comprehensive continuum of care that includes detox, inpatient rehab, and outpatient treatment.
Ketamine Detox
Our first stage of recovery is detoxification, which removes the toxins from ketamine from the body. Because withdrawal can be intense and painful, it’s not safe to attempt it at home. Instead, in a medical facility, you will be monitored for on-track healing 24/7. Detox and acute withdrawal symptoms generally last about eight days.
Inpatient Treatment for Ketamine Abuse
After detox, clients move into residential inpatient treatment, where they live in a center and begin therapy for holistic recovery. Through group and individual sessions, clients unpack the background of their addiction struggle and learn relapse prevention skills. Further, they participate in traditional and holistic therapy options.
Outpatient Treatment for Ketamine Abuse
Clients gain more independence in outpatient treatment, starting by moving out of the center and commuting in for daily sessions. They also cut back on hours spent in treatment so they can start resuming a new normal. Yet, they continue therapy sessions and skill training, such as trigger management.
Treatment isn’t daunting, and there’s no shame in needing help. If you’re ready to overcome ketamine withdrawal, reach out to our intake team today.
