Author: James Anderson

A Journey Through Ketamine Withdrawal: What to Expect & How to Overcome It

Navigate these initial challenges with support from friends, family, or medical professionals. However, individuals who use the drug heavily and frequently may develop a strong psychological dependence. While many individuals follow a general pattern for ketamine withdrawal, the intensity, duration, and even the order of symptoms can vary. To help with Ketamine withdrawal, doctors might use medications like benzodiazepines to manage anxiety and sleep issues.

Although some individuals have reported physical symptoms, these have not been scientifically verified. Some concerning signs include a potentially faster heart rate and rapid breathing. For mild ketamine addiction, people start to find themselves in the clear past the 3-week mark.

No matter where you are on your recovery journey, there is always help available. Reach out to us today for more information about how our heroin treatment programs can help you or a loved one. Yes, you can develop a psychological addiction to ketamine if you use it to escape or cope with negative emotions or an undiagnosed mental health disorder. The longer you use ketamine, the more your brain depends on its mood-boosting effects. Once your brain builds a tolerance to ketamine, it will need more of the substance to experience the same effects as when you first started using it (tolerance). Sometimes, a ketamine addiction accompanies another mental health or substance use disorder, also called polysubstance abuse or dual diagnosis.

Typically, the user’s respiratory function and heart rate will be monitored closely during the early days of Ketamine detox. Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. Individual therapy provides a safe, confidential space to explore the roots of their addiction, address personal traumas, and chart a personalized path to recovery.

What Are the Symptoms of Ketamine Withdrawal?

The utility of behavioral interventions as adjuvants to ketamine pharmacotherapy in addictions treatment is understudied. The ongoing trial led by Morgan and colleagues will evaluate the addition of psychotherapy to ketamine infusions. However, additional research is needed to examine behavioral interventions which may be synergistic with ketamine pharmacotherapy and help enhance long-term treatment outcomes. Getting through Ketamine withdrawal can take anywhere from 3 days to a few weeks, especially when dealing with the mental symptoms tied to excitotoxicity. You’ll usually start experiencing symptoms within a day to three days after your last dose of Ketamine.

Many times, a co-occurring disorder or multiple drug dependencies are present, requiring a high level of care. Many inpatient rehabs offer treatment programs for Ketamine addiction that can range from 28 days to several months. Although it is not generally life-threatening, it can be quite uncomfortable. Symptoms typically set in between 24 to 72 hours after the last dose of Ketamine.

What Happens During Ketamine Withdrawal?

The detox process is designed to help the body rid itself of the drug as well as stabilize the individual’s mental state, paving the way for further treatment and recovery. Withdrawal refers specifically to the range of symptoms an individual experiences after reducing or stopping the use of ketamine. These symptoms are primarily psychological, including depression, anxiety, irritability, and an intense craving for the drug.

1. It is unclear to what extent baseline motivation, desire to quit, or duration of prior abstinence influences the effectiveness of ketamine in achieving and maintaining abstinence.
2. However, this only occurs in isolated incidents, as outlined in this case study.
3. Treatment options for opioid dependence include full opioid agonists (methadone), partial agonists (buprenorphine) and antagonists (naltrexone).
4. If you continually use ketamine, a tolerance will develop, which may result in higher and higher doses.

Some users do not experience any “withdrawal” symptoms per se, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need help. If you have been struggling with ketamine use and other substances of abuse, it’s vital to seek the help you need to ensure a safe, comfortable withdrawal period. From there, you can begin a recovery program, like those offered at Zinnia Health, that helps you overcome any underlying mental health conditions. Despite the high prevalence and substantial societal burden of SUDs, effective pharmacotherapy options are limited. Treatment options for opioid dependence include full opioid agonists (methadone), partial agonists (buprenorphine) and antagonists (naltrexone). For cannabis and stimulant use disorders, there are no FDA-approved treatments (8).

Types Of Addiction: From Physical To Behavioral

At Flagler, we offer a range of treatment options to assist individuals struggling with ketamine addiction. From the initial detox phase to ongoing therapy and support, we are committed to providing compassionate and effective care tailored to each individual’s needs. Our treatment programs utilize a combination of modalities and support c to help you recover from addiction and build a strong foundation for the life you’d like to lead.

Once ketamine and other substances of abuse are eliminated, you can then address variables that may have contributed to repeated ketamine use. It’s crucial to address these variables so that you do not relapse or replace ketamine with another substance of abuse — one that may lead to more significant withdrawal symptoms. At sub-anesthetic dosing, ketamine produces mild dissociative psychoactive effects (30, 31). Future studies should include assessment of the psychoactive effects of ketamine to further evaluate whether perceptual experience mediates therapeutic benefit. If you or someone you know is struggling with ketamine withdrawals or addiction, contact East Coast Recovery Center in Boston, Massachusetts.

Beyond 3 Weeks

It’s a phase of physical recalibration, marked by withdrawal symptoms, as the body seeks to restore its baseline state. Six ongoing studies were identified through clinical trials.gov that are evaluating the use of ketamine in the treatment of SUDs (see Table ​Table1).1). Three of these studies are focused on alcohol use disorder, and the other three are focused on cocaine, opioid, and cannabis use disorders. Regular use of ketamine can alter the brain’s neurochemistry, leading to a physical and psychological dependence.

Plenty of resources are available in person and online, from rehab centers to therapeutic interventions. With determination, support, and the right tools, coming out of ketamine addiction is possible. For ketamine, the severity of the experience is influenced by the length and intensity of use and the individual’s physiology, mental health state, concurrent substance abuse, and overall health. If you’re concerned about ketamine addiction, we’ll explore the signs of withdrawal, how ketamine abuse can happen, and treatment options. Ketamine is a medication intended to be used only in hospital and clinical settings.

A comprehensive plan may involve therapy, support groups, and possibly medications to manage specific symptoms like depression or anxiety. If you are currently stuck in a cycle of ketamine abuse or are experimenting with several drugs, now is the time to take action. Research is currently limited, as there isn’t much evidence indicating physical dependence among ketamine users. The issue is that users build a tolerance, taking more and more ketamine to achieve the same effect.