Addiction to Ketamine

A schedule III-controlled substance, Ketamine is sold under the brand name Ketalar and used as a sedative during medical interventions to sedate children who have had adverse reactions to other anaesthetic medications, as well as in radiation and burn therapy. It belongs to the category codeine and anabolic steroids. With drugs like Ketamine psychological dependence dominates physical dependence in addicts. Ketamine gives a short-lived high but the tolerance to the drug builds up quickly, requiring users to keep increasing quantities as they chase the initial high.

It is most often used as a date rape drug because it is odourless and colourless and cannot be detected by the victim in a beverage, often rendering it’s victim completely helpless. Street names for this drug include Super C, Cat Valium, Jet, Green, K, Special K and Super acid.

Ketamine, also known as Kit Kat, Dorothy or Vitamin K is popular among youngsters as a partying drug. Ketamine is an anaesthetic that is used in animals. Ketamine induces a sedation in the users that makes them dissociated with their surroundings. Distorted perceptions of sight and sound can make it difficult to move for the users. Reports of near-death experiences are common at extremely high doses. Other users report that they experience a “state of utter bliss” on Ketamine. However, it is illegal to use ketamine without a doctor’s prescription.

Ketamine Addiction

Ketamine addiction is quick to happen and difficult to overcome without medical intervention. The incidence of intense chemical changes that happen in the brain with regular Ketamine use make de-addiction nearly impossible. Ketamine addicts will be incapable of leading a normal, productive life as they will be cognitively impaired at this stage, with speech and memory both affected by the time addiction happens.

Signs of an addiction to ketamine include

• Regular administration of the drug without actual use.
• Becoming obsessed with procuring the next dose
• Irregular sleeping and mood patterns
• Undue amounts of money expenditure on the drug
• Incapacity to keep up with responsibilities such as school and work
• Building up a tolerance and needing more and more to feel the high
• Ignoring/having no time for friends and family

Side effects of Ketamine

• Heart palpitations
• High blood pressure
• Muscle rigidity
• Respiratory issues
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Depression
• Long-term cognitive disabilities
• Loss of motor coordination
• Stumbling
• Muscle weakness

The Ketamine Comedown

Ketamine comedown is a term coined for a drug-induced equivalent to a hangover and can be very intense and dangerous. This comedown can happen to users even after a brief time usage of the drug. Since Ketamine is an anaesthetic, it is very likely for users to experience intense confusion and delirium upon the dissipation of initial peek effects or “high”. Also, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, physical and muscle weakness, anxiety are common during the Ketamine Comedown. These symptoms especially occur when Ketamine is administered in higher doses, repeatedly abused or combined with alcohol or other drugs for an intense high.

Ketamine withdrawal

Like with every other drug of addiction, Ketamine also causes withdrawal symptoms when the user quits to use. Withdrawal symptoms occur since the drugs in question produce chemicals upon use that affect the neuro-transmitters and when the usage of the drug is stopped, the brain also stops to produce these chemicals on its own. Simply put, these drugs put the brain and body in a state of confusion where they stop to function optimally.

Withdrawal symptoms include

• Loss of appetite
• Chronic tiredness
• Perspiration
• Tremors
• Restlessness
• Anxiety and depression
• Hallucinations and nightmares
• Heart palpitations
• Chills

There is help in the form of rehabs where programs are customised for every addiction and every addict. It just takes the decision to quit and determination to find life again.

Phoenix Rehab Services is a leading Rehabilitation Centre in India for Substance Abuse and Behavioural Addiction. At Phoenix, we can help provide the right tools to you or your loved ones on the journey to lead a healthy life free from addiction. Our reliable & effective Drug and Alcohol Addiction Recovery Program is headed and supported by experienced & dedicated de-addiction therapists and is driven by motivated staff that is equipped to handle the various needs of patients and has years of experience in treating addiction.