DRUG REHAB
Signs and Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction
Ketamine is sometimes prescribed to treat major depressive episodes, bipolar, other mental health disorders and cases of chronic pain. Ketamine abuse would happen if a person takes doses higher than the recommended or continues after the prescription is over.
Ketamine abuse can lead to the development of dependence and addiction, as well as a host of serious health conditions, like ketamine bladder and ulcerative cystitis, which can cause serious or even permanent damage.
Knowing the signs and symptoms can help you discover whether you have an issue or help you give the necessary push a loved one needs to get diagnosed and professionally treated.
Why Do We Need to Understand the Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction?
Ketamine is used as an off-label medicine for chronic pain and the treatment of mental health disorders. It also finds limited use in the treatment of alcohol withdrawal and is a “party drug” taken in clubs and social gatherings.
However, the intended use for Ketamine was that of an anaesthetic. Ketamine was introduced commercially in 1970 as a rapidly acting, nonbarbiturate general anaesthetic suitable for short invasive procedures.
The main effects it’s known for are sedation, catalepsy, somatic analgesia, bronchodilation, and sympathetic nervous system stimulation.
Due to its reputation, it’s no longer the main go-to drug for modern day anaesthetists, however its circulation within the official healthcare remains.
Not only will the unsupervised use of ketamine potentially lead to addiction due to its powerful psychological effect, but persistent consumption can cause severe damage to a person’s health.
Since the dangers of addiction and the health risks are so large, it’s essential to understand the signs for any of them to take action as quickly as possible.
If you suspect that you, a loved one, or somebody in your community is struggling with ketamine addiction and abuse, then greater awareness of the symptoms and problems that arise can be a life-changing force for good.
The Unique Signs of Addiction, Abuse and Dependence
The terms addiction, abuse and dependence are often described interchangeably, but there are some differences you should be aware of.
Addiction to a substance refers to a mental and emotional condition in which an individual’s brain chemistry is altered due to the repeated use of that substance.
Consequently, a person grappling with addiction experiences strong cravings for the drug, often leading to increased impulsivity, irrational behaviour, and a desperate need to obtain the substance regardless of the consequences. This can result in a variety of behaviours, including dishonesty, theft, and engagement in risky activities.
Abuse and dependence refer more specifically to the patterns of use and how it affects a person’s life. Abuse is characterised by using the substance despite negative consequences, such as failing relationships, work or school problems, and health issues.
Dependence refers to the physical reliance on the substance, causing withdrawal symptoms when use is stopped.
Dependence on a substance can be both physical and psychological and usually refers to developing tolerance to the drug, which makes the body dependent on future use.
With ketamine, a person can become physically dependent and experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop, and they can also be psychologically dependent, craving the drug due to its short-lasting coping effect.
Physical Signs of Ketamine Dependence
Ketamine has a powerful effect, altering brain chemistry and even changing brain structure.
A unique insight into how ketamine alters the brain is given by a totally unrelated research into treatment-resistant depression (TRD). At some point ketamine has been trialled both on TRD and schizophrenia patients because both conditions are thought to be dependent on NMDA receptors through increased or decreased AMPA-mediated glutamatergic signalling.
TRD is associated with decreased glutamate in various prefrontal regions of the brain while in case of schizophrenia we see an increased presence of glutamate. The study reviewed a range of PET and MRI scans involving brains of TRD patients and concluded that ketamine used as antidepressant will leave lasting changes to three areas of the brain: the prefrontal cortex – responsible for planning and executive function; hippocampus – responsible for memory formation and posteromedial cortex – responsible for self-processing, self-relevance detection, reward evaluation and spatial awareness.
It’s believed that irreversible changes to the latter is what’s causing the major negative effects related to the long-term abuse of ketamine.
Once the body gets adapted to the current dose of ketamine, it builds tolerance thus the dosage has to be gradually increased to maintain the function.
The physical signs of ketamine dependence can be seen in the withdrawal symptoms that arise if the substance is stopped and the harm to one’s health due to the harmful chemicals.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness and disorientation
- Muscle weakness and impaired motor function
- Stomachaches
- Constipation
- Heart palpitations and increased blood pressure
- Slurred speech
- Blurred or double vision
- Spasms, contractions and even seizures
- Brain fog
- Urination issues (ketamine bladder)
- Forgetfulness and memory issues
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Psychological Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction
Ketamine is very often used recreationally in group settings as a party drug because of its highly intoxicating effect. The drug has a relatively short-lasting effect, which is why many people take multiple doses, one after the other, to maintain and enhance the “high” they get and avoid any potential crash.
Taking the drug will create a powerful feeling of tranquillity and peace, create hallucinations, and even give an illusion of being detached from yourself.
Some people say the experience is similar to being in a lucid dream. As you can imagine, these feelings and experiences are highly addictive.
The effect arises from how ketamine encourages the production of brain chemicals like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine.
Chronic use can disrupt optimal cognitive function, mask other psychological problems, and exacerbate symptoms of other mental health conditions.
- Symptoms of depression
- Anxiety
- Restlessness and agitation
- Sleep issues and insomnia
- Numbness and apathy
- Loss of interest in passions, hobbies and other people
- Lack of motivation
- Secretive behaviour and lying about drug use
- Mood swings and irritability when not using the drug
- Reduced ability to feel physical pain
- Delirium and hallucinations
- Detachment from the self and reality
Behavioural and Social Consequences of Ketamine Abuse
Ketamine abuse not only changes a person’s physiology and mental health condition but can also lead to significant behavioural changes.
The changes arise as a consequence of the direct effect ketamine has on a person, various improvised strategies to maintain the addiction and hide its effects, and the irrationality which comes due to the intense cravings for the substance.
Although those changes may make a person appear impulsive, desperate, irrational, and excessively risk-taking, treating them with empathy and understanding is essential.
Ketamine abuse is a destructive cycle where the effects of the drug disrupt support networks and other sources of fulfilment and purpose like work and hobbies, which can further entrench a person into addiction.
- Lying to doctors and fabricating reasons for another prescription
- Contacting multiple GPs to provide more supply of the substance
- Stealing or borrowing from friends and relatives
- Social distancing and isolation from friends and loved ones
- Taking a dismissive and defensive stance whenever confronted
- Impulsive and obsessive behaviour to get another dose
- Loss of passion and motivation for previously loved activities
- Issues with concentration and productivity at university or at work
- Taking the substance in dangerous situations (driving, biking, etc.)
- The constant need to go to the bathroom
- Complaints about urinary tract issues
Withdrawal Symptoms of Ketamine
The unfortunate reality of ketamine abuse is that after a certain point, it’s not the effect that keeps a person addicted but the fear of the severe withdrawal symptoms they may experience.
Since the substance leads to significant changes in brain chemistry, the body not only gets dependent on the continuous use of ketamine but goes into a state of shock and chaos if it suddenly stops receiving the needed dose.
The symptoms of withdrawal are severe and can be life-threatening, which is why professional help is always needed to manage the process safely. Withdrawal symptoms will vary in intensity based on the severity of the addiction, current health condition, and what remedies are offered during the withdrawal period. The symptoms are both physical and psychological, likely exacerbating other mental health disorders and conditions a person may have.
The symptoms may include:
- Heart palpitations
- Chest pains
- Fatigue and lethargy
- Gurgling sounds and vomiting
- Muscle spasms and shaking
- Constipation and stomach aches
- Sweating and increased body temperature
- Brain fog
- Disorientation
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Extreme fatigue and irritability
- Restlessness, agitation, and aggressive behaviour
- Muscle pain and headaches
- Intense and overwhelming cravings
- Hallucinations
Withdrawal Symptoms of Ketamine
The longer a person abuses ketamine, the higher the chance of overdose. Since the body builds tolerance to the drug, higher and more frequent doses are required to achieve the same “high”, which increases the chance of consuming more than the body can handle in a short period of time.
Furthermore, trying to stop and deal with withdrawal symptoms can create a “yo-yo” effect where the person relapses with a huge dose that can also risk overdose.
It goes without saying that an overdose is a life-threatening situation that can end with the person dying or receiving severe organ damage that can be permanent in some very serious cases.
Knowing the symptoms of ketamine overdose can be essential to act as quickly as possible and get the necessary help.
- Complete detachment from reality and hallucinations
- Shallow breathing and slowed heart rate
- Chest pains
- Gasping and inability to breathe
- Nosebleeds
- Clammy skin and sweating
- Severely impaired motor function and muscle weakness
- Muscle spasms and seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Unresponsiveness
- Amnesia
- Ulcerative cystitis
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How Is Ketamine Dependence Treated?
Ketamine dependence and addiction can be treated with an inpatient or outpatient programme with the support of addiction experts.
Some people choose an outpatient programme due to the lesser time commitment, higher financial accessibility, and a belief that they can handle the issue mostly on their own.
While it may prove effective in certain situations, severe cases of ketamine addiction – particularly those involving co-occurring conditions and dependence on multiple substances – necessitate admission to a residential treatment centre to maximise the likelihood of overcoming addiction.
Committing fully to rehabilitation, being isolated from triggers and stressful environments, and getting support 24/7 creates the environment necessary to foster recovery.
A rehabilitation programme in a residential centre involves an evidence-based detox process where physical dependence is treated and eliminated, various therapeutic options to alleviate mental health, address the true reasons behind addiction, discover coping mechanisms, and various other productive, and recreational activities.
A comprehensive ketamine rehab plan will likely include an option for aftercare so the person can stay accountable and motivated even after leaving the clinic.
