This could help ease the transition to a new medication and ensure you’re not experiencing unpleasant symptoms. Putting ketamine in the same bracket as heroin and cocaine “may increase the stigma and make young people less likely to discuss their use and seek help”, warns Prof Ralphs. Lexi, who lives on a neat, well-cared-for street in Burnley, loved sport and dancing.
Duration and Management of Withdrawal Symptoms
Managing ketamine withdrawal symptoms requires a comprehensive and individualized approach. It is crucial to seek professional help from healthcare providers, addiction specialists, or substance abuse treatment centres to guide the detoxification process and provide the necessary support. They can develop personalized treatment plans that may include a combination of medication, therapy, and behavioural interventions to address the physical, psychological, and emotional aspects of withdrawal.
What Ketamine Does to the Human Brain
It also has an inhibitory effect on several reuptake neurotransmitters, including serotonin and dopamine. Addiction treatment is available, and today is the day to make the first step. You may ketamine addiction not understand why at the time, but down the road it will make sense.
- For example, female ketamine users presented significantly more discontinuation symptoms such as anxiety, dysphoria, and tremors compared with male users.
- The chances for abuse increase when the drug is not used under a doctor’s supervision.
- Regular use of ketamine can disrupt the normal functioning of these neurotransmitters, leading to a physical and psychological dependence.
- Seeking professional help and maintaining a commitment to sobriety are crucial steps toward overcoming ketamine addiction and achieving long-term well-being.
- When people use ketamine, they may hallucinate and be unable to move or speak.
Medical Reviewer:
While cravings can become less intense during this time, they may still happen, so ongoing treatment and emotional support are important. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that’s been used in medical settings for decades. It’s commonly administered as an anesthetic for surgical procedures because it can put you into a trance-like state and provide pain relief and sedation. Copyright © 2025, AddictionHelp.com The information provided by AddictionHelp.com is not a substitute for professional medical advice. View our editorial content guidelines to learn how we create helpful content with integrity and compassion. Informed by her personal journey to recovery and support of loved ones in sobriety, Jessica’s empathetic and authentic approach resonates deeply with the Addiction Help community.
- Know that you can work together and come up with strategies that can make this journey less challenging.
- There have been cases of people who have shown signs of addiction despite using ketamine medicinally.
- This can lead to serious long-term health issues, including cognitive impairment, anxiety and depression.
- This may include family and non-using friends, or a recovery-based support group such as Narcotics Anonymous or SMART Recovery™.
- By working with a team of professionals, the possibility of addressing all of the concurrent and related issues is enhanced.
- This article will explore what happens when someone with ketamine addiction stops taking it.