Have you heard about ketamine therapy?
Ketamine therapy involves low doses of ketamine to relieve the symptoms of mood or pain disorders that haven’t responded to standard treatments. But, there are risks, and dependence is one of them. Psychological dependence, in particular, is intense and can make it difficult to quit ketamine without professional intervention.
According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, overall past-year recreational ketamine use increased by 40% from 2021 to 2022. Any use outside of a practitioner’s supervision is risky, as ketamine can cause serious side effects like respiratory depression and organ damage. People who use ketamine regularly or in high doses can also experience dependence, which automatically raises the risk of overdose.
If you are concerned that someone you love is misusing ketamine, rest assured that treatment can help them get better. Wolf Creek Recovery offers a fresh start for individuals who want to reclaim their lives and avoid the dangers of self-medication. Let’s explore the signs of ketamine addiction so that you know what to watch for in the people you care about.
Signs of Ketamine Addiction
Ketamine is an anesthetic that produces some hallucinogenic effects. While it does have a place in medical and veterinary care, it is sometimes misused for recreational purposes. Ketamine use can go undetected for a short time, especially if the person is taking small doses. However, recreational use will eventually produce concerning signs before potentially turning into a full-blown ketamine use disorder. Let’s go into more detail about the physical, behavioral, and social red flags to have on your radar.
How Can I Tell if a Loved One is Using Ketamine?
Recognizing the possible signs of ketamine use allows you to start an important conversation with your loved one. It’s worth pointing out that ketamine is often used in combination with other substances to enhance its effects, such as alcohol, opioids, or benzodiazepines. Therefore, it’s possible that your loved one could be experiencing polysubstance use, which may require more intensive treatment.
Physical Signs of Ketamine Use
The physical signs of ketamine use include dilated pupils, red or watery eyes, slurred speech, loss of balance, numbness or tingling in the arms and legs, nausea or vomiting, and increased heart rate and blood pressure. These effects generally ease up after an hour or two, or once the ketamine wears off.
However, there are long-term effects that can occur as well such as frequent bladder pain, unexplained weight loss, and chronic abdominal discomfort. You may also notice other signs, dependending on how ketamine is used. For instance, snorting ketamine can cause sores or irritation inside the nose, while injecting ketamine can leave behind track marks, abscesses, or bruises.
Behavioral Signs of Ketamine Use
When a person becomes dependent on ketamine, the substance takes over their life. As a result, you may see a number of behavioral signs such as periods of isolation followed by re-emergence, risk-taking behaviors, a growing preoccupation with finding or using ketamine, neglecting responsibilities, and withdrawing from family and friends.
When ketamine is not available, individuals who are dependent will often experience agitation or irritability. Without intervention, these signs typically become more pronounced, severely impacting a person’s ability to function normally.
Social Signs of Ketamine Use
Keatmine also changes how a person interacts with friends, family, work, and school. If you notice a cluster of these signs, it’s time to pay more attention to what might be going on behind closed doors.
People who misuse ketamine often display changes in their activities, such as hanging out with new friends, attending late-night events, and pulling away from long-standing friends who don’t use substances. They may be hard to reach for long stretches or have conversations with you that seem shallow or disjointed. Increased secrecy is also common, such as password-protecting everything or being quick to hide screens or conversations when you walk by.
Other social signs to watch for include unexplained money shortages, odd paraphernalia hidden (e.g., nasal spray bottles, tiny baggies, credit cards with powder residue), and noticeable mood swings.
How Ketamine Use Disorder Develops Over Time
Dependence on ketamine does not happen overnight. This is a gradual process that occurs over weeks and months, though each path is unique depending on factors like dose, frequency, and individual biology. Let’s look at a general timeline of what to expect for ketamine use disorder.
Recognizing the Early Signs
In the first few weeks or months, a person often uses ketamine occasionally in combination with other substances like alcohol or club drugs. Emerging signs include dilated pupils, glassy eyes, spacing out, and hanging with new friends. In this phase, the individual is usually still meeting their responsibilities, so any new behavior is generally chalked up to “just partying”.
Over the next 6 months, regular ketamine use can lead to tolerance, meaning the person has to increase their dose to get the same effects. They might also use “bump” doses to prolong the effects. Some signs that become noticeable are trouble concentrating, secretive habits, and minor nasal irritation (if snorting). However, at this point, the symptoms often look like stress or fatigue.
Once a person is dependent on ketamine to ease stress or improve their mood, solo use or weekday use typically begins. There may be noticeable mood shifts, memory lapses, missed deadlines, and possibly even occasional bladder pain. While the symptoms are more obvious at this point, the individual often believes they can stop at any time.
Advanced Late Signs
Daily or near-daily use happens around a year or two, and some people might even switch to IV/IM use for a quicker onset. Cravings dominate a person’s schedule and finances; however, some families still believe that depression is causing the problems. Concerning symptoms include bladder pain, weight loss, elevated liver enzymes, social withdrawal, and cognitive dulling.
After 2 years of ketamine use, long-term effects can occur such as kidney failure, relationship breakdowns, job loss, legal charges, and suicidal thoughts during crashes. Medical intervention typically reveals the extent of ketamine use. Keep in mind that these are just estimates; some people progress through this cycle much faster, needing bigger or more frequent doses within a few months. Also, mixing ketamine with other substances will accelerate every stage.
Yes, Recovery Is Possible! Treating Ketamine Use Disorder in Prescott, AZ
The psychological grip of ketamine can be intense, which is why rehab for ketamine addiction must be comprehensive and sustainable. Supervised detox is the first step in the process, and it involves managing withdrawal symptoms while ketamine is naturally eliminated from the body. While there is no medication specifically designed for ketamine withdrawal, symptom-targeted meds can make the process more tolerable. Any physical health problems like ketamine bladder syndrome can also be addressed at this time.
To understand the psychological reasons for misusing ketamine, therapy is crucial. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), for instance, teaches individuals how to manage cravings, change distorted thinking, and apply healthy coping skills. Group and family therapy are also helpful in reminding people that they are not alone. Since many people who misuse ketamine are also dealing with mental health problems, integrated psychiatric management of PTSD, depression, and anxiety is often essential. Once stable and on a treatment regimen, most people do very well.
Wolf Creek Recovery has a dedicated clinical team, evidence-based care, and compassionate guidance. Many of our staff members are in recovery, so we’re able to truly understand the battles they face. We also have an invigorating outdoor therapy program that helps clients rediscover purpose, resilience, and joy. With personalized therapies, community support, and breathtaking moments in nature, Wolf Creek Recovery has everything you need to start your healing journey. Contact us today at 833-732-8202 to start your recovery. Build a life you love.
FAQ About the Signs of Ketamine Misuse
How can you tell if someone is using ketamine?
You can often tell if someone is using ketamine by observing their physical and psychological state. Physical signs may include sedation, slurred speech, unresponsiveness, or slow breathing. Psychological signs may include hallucinations, detachment from reality, confusion, and mood swings.
How long does it take to become dependent on ketamine?
While each person is unique, dependence on ketamine generally develops in as little as a few weeks to a few months. The process tends to be faster when ketamine is misused.
Can you treat ketamine use disorder?
Yes, ketamine use disorder is treatable. It involves a comprehensive approach that includes detox, behavioral therapies like CBT, dual diagnosis treatment, and aftercare and relapse prevention.
