Ketamine Addiction
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Not many people think that ketamine is such a dangerous drug. The substance is a hallucinogenic one, and in some cases, it is even used as a tranquilizer for animals and humans. People love using it for the out-of-body experience that it can offer.
However, when used for very long periods and in high amounts, not only can it lead to addiction but the user may also end up overdosing, which can be fatal. Ketamine addiction should be treated early on to prevent it from having bad effects on one’s body. Recovering from ketamine addiction is possible by seeking professional help.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug that is often used to treat pain during medical procedures. It is also known as Super K or Special K, and it completely changes the way one perceives sounds and sights. What’s more, it can make the user feel detached from the rest of the world and lose control.
There are different forms of ketamine. Sometimes it comes in liquid form, but you can also find it as a powder. When using it illegally, people will either inject it, mix it into drinks, smoke it, or snort it.
The drug has been approved by the FDA in order to be used as an anesthetic and pain reliever. Unfortunately, people do not solely use it for this purpose. Some start abusing it for fun, to deal with their feelings or escape from their normal life for a bit.
Ketamine Abuse
Ketamine can easily lead to an addiction, one that is very hard to overcome without seeking help from professionals. The drug acts by changing the chemicals in the brain, which is why it is difficult for someone to stop using the substance without professional help, even if they want to put an end to their addiction.
When someone becomes a ketamine addict, they will end up being very detached from everything and everyone. As a result, they will not be able to lead a normal life or focus on things like work, self-care, and relationships. Their memory and speech will be affected as they will be cognitively impaired.
As the user keeps abusing ketamine, their tolerance to the drug will increase – therefore, they will want to use more and more. As a result, they will start craving the substance all the time and will depend on it to feel good.
Ketamine Addiction Symptoms
Someone who is addicted to ketamine will show certain symptoms, and those who are closest to them will be able to tell that something is wrong.
Ketamine is a very habit-forming drug, mainly because tolerance is built quickly and the user needs higher amounts to reach the desired effects. As a result, the consumption will also lead to some signs, such as:
- Red skin
- Bladder pain
- Garbled speech
- Hard time concentrating
- Hard time falling asleep
- Excessive salivation
- Hard time holding urine
- Bad motor coordination
- Lack of physical pain response
- Apathy and tiredness
- Unexplained bruises that appear while intoxicated
Someone who is addicted to the drug will have a very hard time living their daily life without using the drug to reach the desired high. A ketamine addiction becomes obvious when the individual’s school, work, and personal relationships are put on hold in order to satisfy the addiction needs.
Ketamine Addiction Effects
Ketamine may not seem as dangerous as other drugs, but it is a risky substance. Usually, it is not deadly when used by itself, and there are very few records of lethal doses of ketamine used by humans. But many people tend to combine the drug with alcohol and other substances, which is what makes the drug deadly.
The effects of ketamine are short-lived, but that does not make it less risky. The active ingredients in the drug will take about 2.5 hours to leave the body after use. Still, in combination with other hallucinogens or with alcohol, which has sedative effects, it can be fatal.
It is important to know that ketamine addiction will have very bad effects on the mind and body. According to people who have used this drug, some deal with bad flashbacks several weeks after ketamine left their body. Ketamine is linked to multiple conditions, including memory loss, hysteria, depression, and high blood pressure.
Overdosing on Ketamine
A ketamine overdose can happen very easily, especially if you’ve already formed a habit of using ketamine daily. Ketamine is very often used in powder and liquid form, or it is mixed with different other stimulants.
Therefore, the user doesn’t exactly know how much they consume. So, the individual may end up using larger amounts, which can easily result in an overdose.
With methods like injecting and snorting the drug, it gets into the bloodstream faster, which is also dangerous.
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How Ketamine Addiction is Treated
It can be hard to stop consuming ketamine when it has become an integral part of your life and your body craves it. If you intend to stop, then one way to do it is to seek help from rehab centers.
Ketamine may end up leading to many psychological and physical issues, and the sooner you reach out for help, the higher the chances of preventing bad long-term effects will be.
Rehab centers offer different treatment options, including detox programs, therapy, and many other services. Not only will the treatment programs help you escape the addiction, but they will also allow you to handle withdrawal symptoms better, without relapsing.
How Real Deal Can Help
Real Deal can help you escape the ketamine addiction through a professional detox program, but will also help you after you’re out of rehab.
Since you may still need to adjust to the new life, Real Deal has a sober living program that allows you to relax, stay away from temptations and make sure you keep your sobriety. At the same time, you can learn new coping skills, form bonds with people dealing with the same issues, and go to work. It can all help you come back with new forces and overcome your addiction.
Is someone in your close circle addicted to ketamine? Talk to them about the dangers of the drug and assist them in getting the help they need. You may end up saving their life.