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addictions

Ketamine

Ketamine, often used recreationally, can lead to serious addiction. Abbington House provides comprehensive care, combining medical treatment and therapy to address recovery.

Understanding Ketamine Addiction: Short-Term and Long-Term Effects for You and Your Loved Ones

Ketamine, originally developed as an anaesthetic, is a dissociative drug that has become increasingly abused for its mind-altering effects. It can cause hallucinations, feelings of detachment, and an altered sense of reality. While it has legitimate medical uses, such as in pain management and some mental health treatments, when abused recreationally, ketamine can have severe consequences for both the user and their loved ones.

This guide will explore the short-term and long-term effects of ketamine abuse, how to recognise the signs of addiction, and how Abbington House can support you or your loved one on the path to recovery through our medically supervised detox and holistic treatment programmes.

Short-Term Effects of Ketamine Abuse: Immediate Risks

Ketamine abuse can lead to significant, immediate risks, often resulting in both physical and psychological harm. While it may produce feelings of euphoria or relaxation initially, the short-term side effects can be severe.

For you, the short-term effects of ketamine abuse might include:

  • Hallucinations and dissociation: Ketamine often causes intense hallucinations, making you feel disconnected from your surroundings or your body.
  • Impaired motor functions: Users may experience dizziness, poor coordination, and difficulty moving or controlling their body.
  • Confusion and memory loss: Ketamine can affect your ability to think clearly or remember events while under its influence.
  • Increased heart rate and blood pressure: The stimulant properties of ketamine can elevate your heart rate and blood pressure to dangerous levels.
  • Risk of overdose: Due to its potent effects, overdose is a risk, especially when combined with other substances. Overdose can lead to extreme sedation, respiratory depression, or death.

For your loved ones, witnessing the short-term effects of ketamine abuse can be deeply distressing. The unpredictability of the drug’s effects, combined with the risk of overdose or dangerous behaviour, often leaves families feeling helpless and fearful.

At Abbington House, we offer a medically supervised detox programme to help you or your loved one safely detox from ketamine under the care of experienced professionals who can manage withdrawal symptoms and ensure safety throughout the process.

Long-Term Effects of Ketamine Abuse: Deep and Lasting Consequences

Prolonged abuse of ketamine can lead to severe, long-lasting damage to both physical and mental health. As addiction deepens, users face increasing risks of physical deterioration and psychological harm.

For you, the long-term effects of ketamine abuse might include:

  • Bladder and kidney damage: Regular use of ketamine can lead to a condition called “ketamine bladder,” causing severe pain, incontinence, and irreversible damage to the bladder and kidneys.
  • Cognitive impairment: Long-term abuse can lead to difficulties with memory, concentration, and decision-making.
  • Mental health issues: Ketamine abuse is associated with a higher risk of depression, anxiety, and even psychosis in some users.
  • Addiction and dependence: Chronic use can result in tolerance and dependence, meaning you need more of the drug to achieve the same effects, which can be difficult to stop without help.
  • Social and relational problems: Relationships often break down due to the erratic behaviour, mood swings, and detachment that can result from long-term ketamine use.

For your loved ones, watching the deterioration caused by ketamine addiction can be heartbreaking. The emotional strain of supporting someone with an addiction, combined with the risks of long-term health issues, can lead to fractured relationships and overwhelming stress.

At Abbington House, we offer holistic support to both clients and their families. We provide a comprehensive approach to recovery, addressing the physical addiction and the emotional and mental health aspects to help individuals heal.

Are You Addicted? Recognising the Signs of Ketamine Addiction

Ketamine addiction can be hard to recognise due to its dissociative effects, but here are some questions to help assess whether you or a loved one might be struggling:

  • Do you use ketamine regularly and find it difficult to stop, even when you want to?
  • Do you experience cravings for ketamine when you’re not using it?
  • Have you started neglecting responsibilities or relationships due to your ketamine use?
  • Do your loved ones express concern about your ketamine use or notice changes in your behaviour?
  • Have you experienced memory loss or cognitive difficulties as a result of using ketamine?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to take a closer look at your relationship with ketamine. Addiction isn’t just about frequency of use—it’s about how much control the substance has over your life.

At Abbington House, we offer a safe, non-judgemental environment where you can explore these concerns and begin your recovery. Our team of expert therapists and medical professionals are here to help you break free from ketamine addiction and reclaim your life.

How Abbington House Can Help: Your Journey to Healing and Recovery

At Abbington House, we provide a comprehensive, tailored recovery plan for individuals struggling with ketamine addiction. Our holistic approach ensures that all aspects of your health and well-being—physical, mental, and emotional—are addressed during your treatment.

  • Medically Supervised Detox: Our detox programme helps you safely withdraw from ketamine under medical supervision. We manage withdrawal symptoms and ensure your safety and comfort throughout the detox process.
  • Therapy and Mental Health Support: Ketamine addiction often involves underlying emotional or mental health issues. Our therapy programmes use evidence-based techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), and trauma-informed care to help you heal emotionally and mentally.
  • Family Therapy: Addiction affects your loved ones too. We provide family therapy to help rebuild trust, improve communication, and support your recovery journey as a family.
  • Aftercare and Long-Term Support: Recovery doesn’t stop when you leave Abbington House. Our aftercare programme offers ongoing support, including relapse prevention strategies, group therapy, and recovery coaching to help you maintain your sobriety.

At Abbington House, we believe in your capacity to heal and live a fulfilling, substance-free life. Ketamine addiction can feel overwhelming, but with the right support and care, you can break free and rebuild your life.

Ketamine addiction often coexists with underlying mental health issues. Many individuals use ketamine to escape emotional pain or mental health struggles.

Common mental health triggers include:

  • Depression and anxiety: Some individuals turn to ketamine to manage feelings of sadness or anxiety, but ketamine use only worsens these conditions over time.
  • Bipolar disorder: The highs and lows of bipolar disorder can lead individuals to misuse ketamine in an attempt to manage their mood swings.
  • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Those with a history of trauma may use ketamine as a way to disconnect from painful memories or emotions.

At Abbington House, we offer dual-diagnosis treatment that addresses both the addiction and any underlying mental health conditions. Our team includes experienced mental health professionals who provide comprehensive care to help you heal both emotionally and physically.

Detoxing from ketamine can lead to physical discomfort and psychological distress. While withdrawal from ketamine may not be life-threatening, symptoms can still be challenging to manage.

Common symptoms of ketamine withdrawal include:

  • Cravings for ketamine
  • Anxiety and depression
  • Restlessness and agitation
  • Memory loss or confusion
  • Fatigue or lack of motivation

At Abbington House, our medically supervised detox programme ensures that you can safely withdraw from ketamine under 24/7 medical care. We provide continuous monitoring and symptom management to support your well-being throughout the detox process.

At Abbington House, we believe that recovery from ketamine addiction requires a comprehensive, holistic approach. Our three-stage treatment programme is designed to address your physical, emotional, and mental health needs.

Our three-stage programme includes:

  1. Medically Supervised Detox: Safe removal of ketamine from the body with round-the-clock medical care to manage withdrawal symptoms.
  2. Addiction Therapy: Personalised therapy plans, including CBT, DBT, and trauma-focused care, to address the root causes of addiction.
  3. Aftercare: Ongoing support through aftercare programmes that include relapse prevention, group therapy, and recovery coaching to help you maintain your sobriety after treatment.

At Abbington House, we are dedicated to supporting you through every step of your recovery. From detox to therapy and aftercare, we’re here to help you heal and build a healthier, more fulfilling life.

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