Key Takeaways
- Ketamine Addiction is Dangerous: Long-term ketamine use can lead to serious health problems.
- Ketamine Side Effects are Harmful: From memory loss to bladder damage, the effects of ketamine can be life-altering.
- Virtue Recovery Chandler Can Help: Our addiction treatment programs provide the support you need to overcome ketamine addiction and start your journey to addiction recovery.
Introduction
Ketamine is used in medical practices, but when taken as a recreational drug, it can cause a lot of damage to the body and the brain. People can develop a dependence on the recreational use of ketamine, and it has side effects. When you or your friend is using ketamine, it’s essential to know the side effects and when to go to the doctor. The purpose of this article is to explain the consequences of using ketamine and why you should consult a professional recovery clinic.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a drug that was initially used as an anesthetic for humans and animals. It is sometimes prescribed in medical facilities for pain control or in the treatment of depression, but always in combination with other medications. But, it is also used as a recreational drug because of its hallucinogenic and dissociative properties. If taken in large doses or used in the wrong way, ketamine can lead to physical and mental complications and can be addictive.
Why is Ketamine Addictive?
Ketamine causes a dissociative effect often referred to as the ‘K-hole.’ This drug is also highly addictive because it produces several impacts that can be pretty intense, and people may start taking it in the hopes of attaining a kind of dissociation or escape from stress. In the long run, this leads to dependency, where the body and the mind are used to the drug to function normally.
The Effects of Ketamine on the Body and Mind
While using ketamine, a user may experience happiness or detachment, and that is not healthy for them in the long run.
Short-term effects include:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Hallucinations or out-of-body experiences
- Impaired coordination and slurred speech
- Numbness or loss of sensation
- Rapid heart rate
Long-term effects of ketamine use are even more concerning, as they can lead to lasting damage:
- Memory Loss: Some side effects of ketamine are associated with long-term use of the drug, including memory loss, which can be defined as a patient’s failure to remember past events or even to learn new information.
- Cognitive Impairment: In the long run, ketamine impacts the brain in a way that it hampers the brain’s capacity to reason or even make decisions.
- Bladder Damage (Ketamine Bladder Syndrome): Ketamine can also cause severe bladder problems, which include pain, frequent urination, and, in a worst-case scenario, damage to the bladder.
- Kidney Damage: Long-term use of ketamine also affects the kidneys, making the body unable to filter waste and balance.
- Heart and Lung Issues: However, it is reported to raise hair rate, blood pressure, and breathing difficulties.
Signs of Ketamine Addiction
Ketamine addiction is not easy to identify, especially if the use of the drug was not initiated as a regular thing. However, sure signs can help determine when use has become a problem:
- Increased Tolerance: In the process, the person requires more ketamine to get the same results.
- Using Ketamine to Cope: Ketamine for stress relief, anxiety, or any other negative feelings.
- Withdrawal Symptoms: Experiencing anxiety, restlessness, or depression if ketamine is not taken.
- Neglecting Responsibilities: Failing to meet responsibility within the personal, work or academic life due to drug use.
- Physical Health Problems: Ketamine is a drug that has side effects like bladder infections, memory loss, or confusion.
If you or someone you know has some of these symptoms, it is high time to seek assistance. Ketamine addiction is hazardous and may cause severe side effects; that is why it is necessary to turn to professionals as soon as possible.
Ketamine’s Impact on Health
The side effects of ketamine are not just the temporary discomforts – they are the damage to your body and mind.
Bladder and Kidney Damage:
The most dangerous consequence of long-term ketamine use is a problem with the bladder and kidneys. Ketamine irritates the bladder and results in a condition called Ketamine Bladder Syndrome. This condition can cause:
- Frequent, painful urination
- Blood in the urine
- Inability to fully empty the bladder
If not treated, it can cause severe bladder complications. Additionally, there are some side effects of ketamine; it is nephrotoxic, whereby your body will be unable to filter out wastes and perform other functions.
Cognitive Decline:
If used for a long time, ketamine has severe side effects on the brain and its normal functioning. Some signs are forgetting things quickly, lack of concentration, and poor judgment. These effects may deteriorate and get worse to the extent that they can interfere with the performance of one’s everyday tasks.
Mental Health Issues:
Some people use ketamine to ‘take the edge off’ – but using it in the long-term makes mental health issues worse. Ketamine also can produce severe negative impacts on people’s mental health, including psychosis.
The Importance of Addiction Treatment for Ketamine
Ketamine addiction doesn’t have to be a lifelong sentence, but it does take work to get clean. Ketamine rehab facilities are designed to help patients stop using the substance, manage the process of withdrawal, and learn how to prevent using the drug again. At Virtue Recovery Chandler, we provide the best addiction treatment services, including psychotherapy, counseling, and medical services that you need to overcome your addiction.
Why is Treatment Necessary?
- Medical Detox: Withdrawal symptoms can be safely managed under a doctor’s care.
- Therapy: Addressing the emotional and psychological reasons behind addiction.
- Support Groups: Connecting with others on the path to recovery.
- Relapse Prevention: Learning strategies to avoid relapse and maintain sobriety.
Ketamine addiction is very damaging to your body, yet with professionals, you can get clean and rebuild your life.
Conclusion
It may look like a drug that relieves stress or one that is fun to take, but the results are fatal. From memory loss and cognitive decline to bladder and kidney damage, ketamine addiction can ruin your health and your life. If you or your friend is a victim of ketamine addiction, it is high time to look for a treatment center.
To learn more about Virtue Recovery Chandler and our programs, call us at 866-338-5779 and check out the services you need to start a drug-free life.
FAQs About Ketamine Addiction
What is ketamine, and why is it dangerous?
Ketamine is a drug used for medical purposes, but when abused, it can lead to addiction and cause severe physical and mental health problems.
What are the side effects of long-term ketamine use?
The side effects of long-term use of ketamine include memory loss, cognitive dysfunctions, urinary tract problems, kidney problems, and psychiatric disorders such as anxiety and depressive disorders.
How do I know if I have a ketamine addiction?
Some of the symptoms of ketamine addiction include developing a higher tolerance to the drug, using the drug to relieve stress, having withdrawal symptoms, and neglecting responsibilities.
What health risks are linked to ketamine addiction?
Like any other drug, the abuse of ketamine has many negative impacts on the body, including bladder and kidney issues, memory loss, and heart and lung diseases.
How can Virtue Recovery Chandler help with ketamine addiction recovery?
At Virtue Recovery Chandler, we offer several drug addiction treatment services, including medical detox, therapy, and aftercare, to help you stop using ketamine and other substances and start to take control of your life.
Resources
https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/ketamine
https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs4/4769/4769p.pdf
https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Ketamine-2020.pdf
