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Some prescription drugs have the potential for abuse and addiction. Ketamine is a potent prescription anesthetic drug with a high risk for abuse and physical dependence. People who abuse ketamine by taking it recreationally or taking higher doses are at risk of overdose and other adverse effects.
Ketamine abuse can have short and long-term consequences. People who abuse ketamine typically require significant addiction treatment to stop using it and avoid relapse.
This article will explore the long-term effects of ketamine addiction. You will learn:
- Common side effects of ketamine abuse
- Long-term ketamine effects
- How to recognize ketamine addiction
- What to expect from ketamine addiction treatment
- Where to find comprehensive treatment and recovery support programs
If you or someone you love struggle with ketamine abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Find holistic, wellness-centered addiction treatment at Moving Mountains Recovery. Contact our intake team to learn about our programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a prescription medication. It belongs to a class of drugs called dissociative anesthetics. This means that ketamine has sedative, pain-relieving, and hallucinogenic effects.
In the past, doctors and veterinarians used ketamine as an anesthetic during surgeries. Today, medical and mental health experts are researching new ways to use this drug. For example, some doctors have begun to explore ketamine’s effectiveness for mental health conditions, including treatment-resistant depression.
While medical professionals may safely use ketamine in a controlled medical setting, some people abuse it. People may steal ketamine from medical or veterinary practices and use it recreationally.
Recreational ketamine use is very dangerous. People may experience immediate and long-term health risks when abusing ketamine. It is critical to seek treatment as soon as you recognize ketamine abuse or addiction.
Understanding Ketamine’s Side Effects
Medical professionals are beginning to explore alternative uses for ketamine, including as a treatment for depression. While people may hear about ketamine in the news, it is critical to remember that recreational ketamine abuse has serious risks.
Recreational ketamine use has become more prevalent in recent years. People may take doses of ketamine for its dissociative or sedative effects. Ketamine-induced side effects include:
- A feeling of detachment from yourself or the environment
- Paranoia
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Disorientation
- Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
- Confusion
- Feeling as though you don’t exist
- Memory loss
- Blurred vision
- A general sense of uneasiness
- Difficulty maintaining attention
People can experience unwanted or dangerous short-term effects after taking low or high doses of the drug. There is no safe dose for recreational ketamine use. All recreational ketamine use is substance abuse.
Combining ketamine with other substances increases the risk of overdose, dangerous respiratory depression, high blood pressure, and other dangers. It is critical to stop using ketamine and seek substance use disorder (SUD) treatment as quickly as possible to avoid these risks.
What are the Long-Term Side Effects of Ketamine Abuse?
Ketamine abuse can have serious, long-term effects on a person’s health and well-being. While more research may help experts understand the long-term effects of ketamine, there are some known risks.
Here is an overview of some long-term risks of ketamine abuse.
Addiction
Research shows that ketamine abuse can change the structure and chemical makeup of the brain. People who abuse ketamine may develop signs of addiction, including:
- Tolerance (needing higher doses to get the desired effects)
- Cravings for ketamine
- Spending a lot of time and energy getting and using ketamine
- Neglecting responsibilities
- Having withdrawal symptoms if they stop taking it
- Feeling out of control over their substance use
People who develop ketamine addiction must receive comprehensive treatment and support to stop using it and move forward.
Harm to health
Research shows that ketamine abuse may cause significant harm to a person’s mental and physical health, including:
- High blood pressure
- Kidney damage
- Long-term cognitive and memory problems
- Higher risk for treatment-resistant depression
- Bladder pain
- Chronic abdominal pain
People who develop a dependence on ketamine may take increasing doses of the drug. This can put them at risk of a lethal overdose.
Increased risk of using other drugs
Studies show that ketamine abuse may put people at increased risk of using other illicit drugs, including methamphetamine, ecstasy, and cocaine. Polydrug abuse can increase the risk of addiction and other severe complications.
Ketamine abuse is hazardous. Ketamine abuse may quickly spiral into a life-threatening addiction that may be very challenging to overcome.
Treating Ketamine Addiction
Ketamine addiction treatment consists of evidence-based therapies, including:
- Medical detox programs
- Behavioral therapies
- Individual, group, and family counseling
- Holistic therapies, including nutrition support, creative expression, outdoor activities, and mindfulness
- Relapse prevention education
- Aftercare planning
Comprehensive addiction treatment programs focus on helping people explore and overcome the physical, behavioral, and psychological aspects of substance abuse. Participating in treatment can help people address the roots of addiction and move forward into the healthier future they choose.
Find Treatment Now
If you or a loved one struggles with ketamine abuse, you are not alone. Find holistic, effective treatment at Moving Mountains Recovery. Learn about our programs or schedule an intake appointment by contacting our specialists today.
References:
- Psychiatry Online: Ketamine: A Review for Clinicians
- Frontiers in Neuroanatomy: Brain Changes Associated With Long-Term Ketamine Abuse, A Systematic Review
- Science Direct: Comprehensive assessment of side effects associated with a single dose of ketamine in treatment-resistant depression
