Higher doses also increase the risk of overdose and make ketamine more addictive. Addiction – clinically described as substance use disorder – is a medically recognized brain disorder that is considered chronic, progressive, and potentially life-threatening. Ketamine addiction symptoms are outlined in DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders). Like all addictions, ketamine addiction is characterized by tolerance, escalation, loss of control, increased risk-taking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and relapse. Though ketamine does carry a moderate risk for physical dependence, ketamine addiction tends to be more psychological than physical.
In the Face of a Volatile Drug Supply, People Take Harm Reduction Into Their Own Hands
Thanks to an interesting loophole in the laws governing drug advertising, ketamine is now marketed for the management of any number of different psychiatric illnesses. Depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain are the big ones, but it’s also being marketed for other uses, ranging from Lyme disease to alcoholism to opioid addiction. As is often the case, enthusiasm and marketing have gotten ahead of the evidence. However, ketamine therapy for mental health conditions remains relatively new. It is generally used alongside other treatments, and the broader application of intravenous (IV) ketamine is still being evaluated through ongoing research and clinical studies.
Treating Ketamine Addiction
Your treatment should be tailored to your needs but may include a combination of group and individual therapy, behavioral therapies, and peer support groups. It was listed as a Schedule Halfway house III controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act in 1999. It has some therapeutic uses, but it also has a potential for misuse that can increase the risk of adverse effects and dependence. For that reason, the risk of overdose is just as high for long-time users as it is for beginner users.
Bokor and Anderson (2014) highlight that while physical dependence is rare in medical contexts, it still develops with chronic use, especially in cases of prolonged treatment. The psychological factors that influence ketamine addiction play an important role in its development, often making certain individuals more vulnerable to dependency. Mental health conditions, personality traits, and cognitive patterns all increase the risk of addiction.
Research on Ketamine Use in Addiction Treatment
Dr. Michael DeShields, MD, ASAM, DABAM, is a distinguished Medical Director with nearly 40 years of expertise in addiction medicine. A diplomate of the American Board of Addiction Medicine and the American Society of Addiction Medicine since 1996, he is renowned for his leadership and commitment to evidence-based, patient-centered care. Dr. DeShields earned his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine and completed his training at Cooper University Medical Center, where he cultivated his passion for addiction treatment. His dedication and innovation continue to shape the field, guiding clinical teams and supporting patients on their recovery journey. Risk factors for fatal overdose include low drug tolerance, low body weight, and taking ketamine with opiates or alcohol. Ketamine is a powerful dissociative anesthetic drug that produces effects such as memory loss and detachment from reality.
- Doctors, veterinarians and other medical professionals who regularly have access to ketamine are more likely to become addicts, especially when they face other addiction risk factors.
- What could have helped was investment into prevention, education and harm reduction services, but this didn’t happen and we are seeing some of the consequences now.
- This rapid action is what makes ketamine particularly appealing for those who are struggling with severe, treatment-resistant depression.
Supervision also reduces the risk of relapse while the drug clears your system. Today, Ketamine is known widely as a recreational drug of choice for many people for its fast-acting psychotropic effects, its short duration period, as well as the price. In reality, it is a dissociative anesthetic that produces an out-of-body experience and distorts one’s perception of sight and sound. There are adverse effects that seem to be present with this drug that make it especially risky, explained further in the sections below.
Within 3 hours, at least half of the active ingredients in ketamine consumed will have left the body. Ketamine can be dangerous, particularly when combined with other substances. It is largely non-fatal when used alone—there is little on record of a lethal dose of this drug in humans. However, this drug can be fatal because it is usually combined with other substances like alcohol (which also has sedative effects) or hallucinogens like LSD and PCP. Coupled with its ability to produce an out-of-body experience, this drug can cause visual and auditory perceptual changes. Besides being used as an anesthetic, ketamine is now employed off-label to treat severe depression.
- So many that scientists still aren’t sure of the possible short-term and long-term effects of using or abusing this drug.
- It is important to distinguish between the valid medical uses and the nonmedical uses of the drug.
- A, GABAergic neurons in the brain’s ventraltegmental area (VTA) are stimulated by binding of the neurotransmitter glutamateto NMDA receptor proteins.
- However, ketamine therapy for mental health conditions remains relatively new.
What Are Ketamine Addiction Withdrawal Symptoms?
Environmental factors increase the ketamine addiction risk of ketamine addiction by shaping individuals’ behaviors and choices through external influences. Social settings, peer pressure, availability of the drug, and family dynamics all contribute to the development of addiction. According to Sassano-Higgins et al. (2016), in “A Review of Ketamine Abuse and Diversion,” the rising availability of ketamine, especially among young adults, has contributed to its increasing abuse. Because ketamine cream does not reach the bloodstream in high concentrations, it is less likely to trigger the reinforcing effects that contribute to psychological dependence. The way the drug is administered and absorbed limits its interaction with the brain’s reward system, which is a key factor in addiction. The addiction risk with nasal sprays, while lower than recreational use, still exists because of tolerance and the possibility of cravings.
Risks and Benefits of Using Ketamine in Addiction Treatment
Ketamine is a type of anesthetic known for producing dissociative effects, commonly utilized in hospitals for surgical anesthesia over the past several decades. Chronic, high-dose ketamine abuse can lead to severe and sometimes irreversible health problems. One of the most significant physical consequences is bladder damage, a condition known as ketamine-induced ulcerative cystitis. This condition involves chronic inflammation of the bladder wall, causing symptoms like frequent urination, pelvic pain, and blood in the urine. In severe cases, the bladder’s capacity can be reduced, potentially requiring surgical intervention. No medications have been FDA-approved to treat ketamine addiction, but doctors may prescribe other medications to help treat co-occurring mental health conditions.
Overcoming the Hidden Dangers of Ketamine Addiction
Recognizing the symptoms of ketamine addiction is important for early intervention and treatment. Treating ketamine addiction often involves a combination of medical detox and behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT). In more severe cases, detox programs help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce the risk of relapse. However, these treatments must be carefully administered due to ketamine’s addictive potential. Yes, https://ecosoberhouse.com/ ketamine addiction receives treatment through comprehensive rehabilitation programs nationwide.
What To Do If You Are Addicted To Ketamine
Its rapid anesthetic effects and fewer side effects made it notable, but recreational misuse emerged due to its dissociative and hallucinogenic properties. However, the therapeutic benefits of ketamine must be carefully weighed against its potential for addiction. While low, controlled doses are used in clinical settings, ketamine still affects the brain’s reward system, making some patients vulnerable to psychological dependence. The rapid mood improvement sometimes tempts patients to misuse the drug in search of the same dissociative or mood-altering effects outside of prescribed treatments. Symptoms of ketamine addiction include intense cravings, memory loss, confusion, and withdrawal symptoms such as depression and anxiety when not using the drug.