What is Ketamine?
Originally developed in 1962 as an alternative anaesthetic, Ketamine was primarily used by veterinarians as a horse tranquilliser due to its safety profile as an anaesthetic and ease of use. As an anaesthetic alternative, Ketamine provides sedation and pain relief while maintaining cardiovascular stability. This makes Ketamine a very useful alternative for individuals undergoing surgery that have heart or lung problems. But lately, it has become a popular recreational party drug, and its misuse is negatively affecting many people’s lives, their immediate families, and those closest to them.
We understand someone’s desire to escape the pain of psychological problems, trauma, or the daily stress of their lives. But there are healthier options than using hallucinogenic drugs like Ketamine to feel more normal or in control of our lives.This has led us at The Providence Projects to develop a Ketamine treatment programme that can deal with the increased number of users seeking help; as experts in addiction treatment, we understand that quitting ketamine alone will not fix the problem, and an effective treatment plan is needed. As with any addiction, stopping is a great start but the key is developing the skills to ‘stay stopped’.
If you or someone you know is addicted to Ketamine, please call us anytime to set up a free assessment with one of our team of specialists.
Effects & Symptoms of Abuse
Abusing Ketamine can have several adverse effects on your physical body and mental wellbeing. The severity may depend on how long you have been using, your frequency of use, and exactly how much Ketamine you’re taking at one time. We have also found that if you experienced difficulties with mental health prior to your addiction, you may be more prone to experiencing adverse effects more quickly.
If you mix the drug with others, such as cocaine, cannabis or alcohol, the stress you’re placing on your body can have serious medical consequences. Here are just some of the short-term effects of taking ketamine may include:
- Hallucinations: One of the biggest reasons for the recreational use of Ketamine, the hallucinations can be extremely intense and vivid to the point of being frightening or disorienting.
- Impaired Thinking: Ketamine impairs your cognitive functions making it difficult to think clearly or make decisions. Death from accidents is associated with the highest mortality rate of Ketamine users.
- Nausea and vomiting: In higher doses, Ketamine can cause uncontrollable nausea and vomiting.
- Breathing Difficulties: Larger doses of ketamine can cause respiratory depression, which can be dangerous and potentially life-threatening.
- Bladder and Urinary Tract Damage: Ketamine abuse has been linked to Ketamine-Induced Cystitis in 30% of users and leads to urinary incontinence, pain, has prominent effects on the bladder, and other problems.
- Addiction and Dependence: Constant use of Ketamine can lead to mental and possibly physical addiction and dependence.
The more serious long-term effects of Ketamine misuse are depression, anxiety, irritability, memory loss, a lack of concentration, and other physical symptoms.
If you or your loved one are experiencing any symptoms of Ketamine addiction, it’s time to call us now and let us help. We understand addiction can be difficult to cope with alone, so we offer a complete residential treatment solution in a safe and friendly atmosphere.
Our highly experienced addiction medical staff, as well as caring counsellors that have years of specialised experience in addiction counselling to support you on your road to recovery.
Ketamine-Induced Cystitis
Ketamine-Induced Cystitis, or Ketamine-Associated Ulcerative Cystitis, is a devastating result of Ketamine use that affects more than 30% of all Ketamine abusers. This newly documented illness is a lifelong condition and affects anyone misusing Ketamine for any time, regardless of age or health status. This illness was only recently linked to Ketamine use, and it’s expected the number of documented cases will rise in relation to the number of GPs becoming familiar with its diagnosis. It’s important to know if your Ketamine addiction already adversely affects your physical health.
Here are a few signs and symptoms to look out for:
- Bloody Urine: If you have blood in your urine, it’s time to see a specialist immediately. Even if KIC is not the cause, bloody urine is always a sign that something is off and needs to be addressed by a proper GP.
- Increased Urination: Have you noticed you need to go to the bathroom more often than usual? Or are you having problems ‘holding it’ and need to go right away? These are often some of the first warning signs of a problem.
- Painful Urination: If you’re experiencing pain when urinating, you should speak to a physician immediately. Painful urination doesn’t need to be linked to KIC, but it tells you there is something wrong with your body, and you need to pay attention to the warning.
- Difficulty Urinating: Some men, as they get older, may experience some difficulty urinating. But if you are under the age of 60 and are having problems with normal urination, it’s time to speak with a professional.
- Bladder Pain: Any pain you feel is the body’s way of telling you something is wrong and needs to be looked at by an experienced professional.
- The more serious long-term effects of Ketamine misuse are depression, anxiety, irritability, memory loss, a lack of concentration, and other physical symptoms.
If you have been abusing Ketamine and are experiencing any of these symptoms, you need to talk to your GP or a medical professional immediately and be honest with them about your addiction. Our comprehensive Ketamine detox and rehabilitation programme is designed to reduce these and other risks associated with Ketamine abuse. Due to the high risks associated with ketamine use, seeking help sooner rather than later is always better. Please call our team anytime to find out exactly how the process works.

Recognising a Problem
The symptoms of ketamine addiction will always vary from person to person regarding the intensity of your addiction and what signs are easily detectable. Suppose you’re becoming uncharacteristically moody or anxious when you aren’t using Ketamine. In that case, this usually means you’ve already started seeing the drug as a stress reliever and are associating it with positive emotions, all signs you are experiencing psychological addiction.
If you become uncharacteristically moody or anxious when you aren’t using Ketamine, it’s a strong sign that you are looking to the drug for relief. Often people who abuse Ketamine fall into depression when not using the drug. You might also feel more lethargic and no longer sleep as well as before. You can also experience heart palpitations or body temperature changes due to abuse. If you are going through Ketamine withdrawals, you may even experience the shakes and feel like you want to vomit. Despite this, you will continue with drug misuse despite withdrawal and any attempts to quit ketamine repeat the cycle.
At The Providence Projects, we understand how scary and painful an addiction can be. Our team of qualified addiction professionals has years of experience helping individuals like you overcome drug abuse. Call us now on 0800 955 0945 to book a free, confidential assessment.
Why Do We Become Addicted to Ketamine?
For many, feeling disconnected from your body and mind can be a very addicting experience, and we completely understand. The problem is the more frequent your Ketamine use, the larger your tolerance for the drug becomes, which means you need more to experience the same high. Ketamine addictive behaviour, especially where tolerance has formed, can lead to many physical and mental health concerns, including overdose. As with most addictive drugs, including alcohol, abuse normally stems from pain you are feeling, whether it be physical or mental.
- Trauma that goes as far back as early childhood. Or the feeling can be the result of a recent breakup or death in the family. Ketamine has a numbing effect that blocks out physical and emotional pain and acts as a buffer, so you don’t need to deal with it.
- Difficulties in your marriage or at work due to stress is another pain none of us want to experience.
- In time, abuse can make you feel as though you can no longer feel relaxed without the aid of Ket to calm you down, creating psychological symptoms and dependence.
- In essence, you’re self-medicating potential underlying mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD.
- As a result, you may also experience feelings of guilt and shame, which can often worsen the problem.
But there is a way out. The Providence Projects has years of experience working with ketamine addiction, getting to the root cause of the issues, and resolving them so you can recover and move on with your life.
Start the recovery process today!
How We Can Help
Although there are various treatment options for ketamine, private residential treatment at The Providence Projects in Bournemouth will provide a great opportunity to get clean and stay clean!
Assessment
The drug rehabilitation process begins with a free assessment to measure your level of dependence and understand your medical history and any co-occurring mental health disorders you may be experiencing. During the assessment, we will also explain in detail how the programme works and answer any specific questions you have.
Induction
Upon admission, one of our experienced doctors will examine your overall physical and mental health and discuss with you any other issues you feel we would need to be aware of to provide you with the personalised care you deserve.
We take a holistic approach to ketamine addiction treatment and realise after years of treating others, detoxing or removing someone from the drug is only a small part of the solution.
Understanding why you look towards drug use to feel better and the triggers that cause these emotions matter. Without a complete and comprehensive treatment plan for ketamine addiction, alongside a willingness to change, your chances of relapse are significantly higher.
Ketamine Detox
Our programme begins with ketamine detox, the first step on your recovery journey. Detoxing your body will result in some ketamine withdrawal symptoms. Having been assessed by one of our doctors, you will commence on a detox regime designed to enable a safe and comfortable withdrawal from ketamine. All detoxes are prescribed individually to cater to your specific needs. We understand that everyone will experience different symptoms during the withdrawal process. Many clients experience minimal withdrawal symptoms while others find the pain very difficult. In these instances, there are various options to assist with pain management. As part of the detox process, clients may also experience some difficulty with anxiety and this is treated by the Doctors and the counselling team in collaboration.
You may not experience withdrawal symptoms the same way as others do, and if it’s safe to do so, you may begin the therapeutic phase of our programme on the first day.
Therapy to address the root cause of ketamine addiction
Once we’re happy with your progress, you will begin the therapeutic phase of treatment. The next step of your recovery involves therapy to address the underlying reasons for your substance abuse. Our experience has taught us the most important steps in cementing an individual’s recovery process and preventing relapses when treating ketamine addiction come from using a holistic approach to therapy. That’s why at The Providence Project, we have a strong team of highly experienced therapists using the latest evidence-based treatments that can help you deal with the issues that keep you stuck in the cycle of dependence.
You’ll experience new ways to deal with your addiction and the triggers that come with it. And learn about tools and strategies to help you make better choices and decisions both in and out of rehab, as well as ways to deal with stress and the pressures of daily life effectively. Our primary goal is to equip you with the knowledge you need to improve every aspect of your life. And it only takes a quick phone call to get started!
Call now on 0800 955 0945
Individual counselling
Individual counselling is one-on-one therapy where you can sit with your designated counsellor in a safe and completely private setting. We have found that even with the successes of our group sessions and other treatment options, some people still feel more comfortable in a private setting where they can share freely without feeling judged. Further, individual therapy is an opportunity to share your story.
Behavioural Therapies
Using the strategies we teach in our behavioural therapy sessions, you’ll understand how your thoughts and reactions to them guide your emotions and decision-making. You’ll recognise that you can change these patterns and improve your life and the lives of others. You’ll also learn to practice positive reinforcement techniques and include motivational experiences that can help you stay motivated on your journey to recovery. A few of the behavioural therapies we use and have had great success with include cognitive-behavioural therapy, dialectical behaviour therapy, motivational interviewing, and relapse prevention.
These therapies have their time and place in your Ketamine addiction treatment plan. When used together, they are powerful ways to change your thoughts on yourself and your thoughts on life. So why not start building a better life for yourself or your loved ones. Call us on 0800 955 0945 right now to speak with one of our professionals.
Group Therapy and Peer Support
One of the biggest benefits of residential treatment is that you’ll be surrounded by our dedicated professional staff and other people recovering from ketamine addiction just like you. Our interpersonal therapy groups offer some of the best opportunities to begin healing by sharing your fears, triumphs and experiences and understanding that many others are experiencing the same issues and are not alone.
Having a support base of like-minded individuals dedicated to freeing themselves from addiction is very powerful. Many clients find that group therapy is a key aspect of their treatment plan.
Involving the Family
Family therapy can be comforting or scary for some. Sometimes issues with family members or the guilt of letting your loved ones down can hinder your treatment progress. That’s why we feel it’s imperative to include family in video or face-to-face counselling sessions so that loved ones are involved in the recovery process.
After all, it’s the people we see every day and interact with the most that also affect us the most, either positively or negatively. Family therapy can often provide a way to communicate deep-seated fears or issues that otherwise may never be openly dealt with, leading to future problems or resentment. While family therapy is optional here at Providence Project, we highly recommend it because we understand addiction as a family issue.
Aftercare
What happens after ketamine rehab treatment is just as important as what happens inside. This can be a daunting time for some or an exhilarating time for others, but we want you to know we will always be here to offer our support.We offer bespoke outpatient treatment services and access to support groups if you need some additional care post-rehab. If you’re ready to begin your ketamine addiction recovery, join thousands of people who have found successful recovery with our programme.