Author: Alex Thompson

Ketamine Withdrawal Symptoms & Recovery

Get professional help from an online addiction and mental health counselor from BetterHelp. The ketamine withdrawal timeline provides a more in-depth explanation of what to expect when withdrawing from ketamine. Where possible, the support of friends and family is also fundamental when recovering from ketamine addiction. Ketamine is currently a Schedule III drug in the US, placed on the list as illicit uses increased in the 1990’s (moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence). In cases where ketamine use has led to severe psychological symptoms, short-term use of antipsychotic medications might be appropriate.

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic and hallucinogen drug that produces sensations of euphoria, numbness, and floating or detachment from one’s self and the environment. Ketamine was approved for medical use in the United States in the 1970s, and it has been successfully used as an anesthetic and tranquilizer for people and in veterinary medicine. As a dissociative anesthetic, the substance stops memory formation and induces unconsciousness, which is important for surgery or other intense medical procedures.

Withdrawal Timeline from Ketamine

There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. While the ballpark figure is that ketamine becomes hard to detect in the body within a week, the exact duration is contingent on multiple factors. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delves deep into the psyche and is one of the cornerstones of many rehab programs. It seeks to unearth, understand, and transform destructive thought patterns and behaviors.

It is usually mixed with other drugs including cocaine, MDMA, amphetamine, or methamphetamine. No medications have been FDA-approved to treat ketamine addiction, but doctors may prescribe other medications to help treat co-occurring mental health conditions. Hospitalization may sometimes be required to manage serious withdrawal symptoms. People who are withdrawing from Ketamine need to be isolated from others who may pose serious risks to them especially in terms of relapse. Cravings for Ketamine will arise but these cravings tend to be much more easily managed when the user is receiving treatment in a controlled environment than they are at home when the user is alone.

Ketamine Withdrawal Symptoms, Timeline, Causes and Treatment

Just as individuals have varied reasons for using ketamine, their experiences during withdrawal can be equally diverse. Habitual, high-dose users might find their withdrawal journey more tumultuous than occasional users. If you’re concerned about ketamine addiction, we’ll explore the signs of withdrawal, how ketamine abuse can happen, and treatment options. Addiction to substances such as ketamine is characterized by an inability to stop despite negative consequences, preoccupation with the substance, and disruptions that interfere with important aspects of life. When people try to stop using ketamine, they may also experience symptoms of withdrawal. While the drug is largely eliminated from the body within 14 to 18 hours after the last dose, it can also have longer-term effects.

An abrupt cessation can, in many instances, expedite the body’s return to its natural, drug-free state. The mind and body start to find balance, having weathered the storm of the initial withdrawals, and many people have an increase in their energy levels and appetite again. Ketamine, known to some as a horse tranquilizer and to others as a groundbreaking depression treatment, is a unique player in the world of drugs.

1. No medications have been FDA-approved to treat ketamine addiction, but doctors may prescribe other medications to help treat co-occurring mental health conditions.
2. At its core, detoxification is the body’s natural process of expelling a substance, in this case, ketamine, and adapting to its absence.
3. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) delves deep into the psyche and is one of the cornerstones of many rehab programs.

Symptoms of withdrawal can make it difficult to remain sober and cravings may lead the user right back to his or her previous behavior of drug abuse. Ketamine withdrawal symptoms are mainly psychological with physical withdrawal symptoms more noticeable in those who have a history of repeat high dose or injection exposures or those who are poly-substance abusers. It is unlikely to suffer a fatal physical episode while detoxing from ketamine. However, there is a risk of suicide due to the severe depression that some users experience while detoxing. Therefore stopping ketamine intake can cause the heart rate to fluctuate, which can be highly dangerous.

While ketamine overdoses are not strongly linked to death, consuming large amounts of this drug can be fatal. Ketamine can be dangerous, particularly when combined with other substances. It is largely non-fatal when used alone—there is little on record of a lethal dose of this drug in humans.

Ketamine Withdrawal: Understanding the Symptoms, Timeline, and Treatment Options

This is likely a product of the brain processing the experience of withdrawal. If you or someone you care about is struggling with a Ketamine addiction, there is support available. Typically, the user’s respiratory function and heart rate will be monitored closely during the early days of Ketamine detox. By 15 days, most withdrawal symptoms have stabilized; however, some psychological issues may persist for several weeks. We do not receive any commission or fee that is dependent upon which treatment provider a caller chooses.

It’s a phase of physical recalibration, marked by withdrawal symptoms, as the body seeks to restore its baseline state. Many times, a co-occurring disorder or multiple drug dependencies are present, requiring a high level of care. Many inpatient rehabs offer treatment programs for Ketamine addiction that can range from 28 days to several months. Detoxification is the first step in the process of recovery, as the drug is being purged from the user’s system. Because Ketamine addiction is best stopped “cold turkey,” the detox process can be very difficult to endure. Intense cravings can occur as the user goes through the psychological discomforts experienced in detox.

What Are the Withdrawals Associated with Ketamine?

However, some individuals may experience withdrawal symptoms that stretch for months, including mood swings, ongoing cravings, or cognitive impairment. Ketamine withdrawal occurs when a user has taken excessive amounts of Ketamine, either for a long time or many times over and then tries to quit. The body has adjusted to life with the drug and when the user takes the drug away, a range of side effects arise such as paranoia, depression, emotional imbalance and physical imbalance.

While the first hours can be daunting, it’s important to remember that this is a transitional phase. Navigate these initial challenges with support from friends, family, or medical professionals. Here’s an example of a typical ketamine withdrawal timeline, but remember that everyone’s experience can have nuances. While many individuals follow a general pattern for ketamine withdrawal, the intensity, duration, and even the order of symptoms can vary. Ketamine is a difficult drug to detox from due to the highly unpredictable psychotic behaviors that can present during withdrawal and detoxification and the intense cravings. Careful monitoring by an expert clinical staff is key to a successful recovery.

However, the approach to treating ketamine withdrawal is typically multi-modal and focuses on psychological and physical health. Medications might be a part of the treatment plan, but behavioral therapies, counseling, and supportive care are also crucial. At its core, detoxification is the body’s natural process of expelling a substance, in this case, ketamine, and adapting to its absence.