Ketamine Addiction

Ketamine Detox and Treatment Options at Icarus in Nevada

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug that can induce a state of sedation, calmness, immobility, pain relief, and amnesia. You may have heard about Ketamine being used for medical conditions or procedures.

For example, Ketamine is approved as an injectable, short-acting anesthetic for humans and animals. It can also be used in low doses in medical settings for treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain, and other conditions.

Similar to other substances, while Ketamine can be used medically, it is also possible to misuse or abuse the drug. If you develop a psychological dependence on the drug, it can be detrimental to your life and functioning. However, it is possible to recover. So, what should you know?

This article will go over the signs, symptoms, and effects of Ketamine addiction, the role of medical detox and other treatment options for Ketamine addiction, and how Icarus Behavioral Health’s substance abuse treatment programs in Nevada can help.

What is Ketamine Addiction?

Is Ketamine addictive? Yes, it is. Although Ketamine does have legal medical uses, it is also possible to misuse Ketamine or develop an addiction to the drug.

Ketamine addiction is usually marked by a psychological dependence on the drug. Psychological dependence on Ketamine is marked by a strong desire to experience the drug’s effects.

If you have an addiction to Ketamine, you may have started using Ketamine as a recreational drug as a way to chase experiences such as entering a K-hole (an out-of-body experience, which some relate to a near-death experience), hallucinations, or an intense high.

However, with continued use, you may notice that you start needing higher doses of Ketamine to achieve the desired effects. Other negative physical and psychological or behavioral symptoms of Ketamine addiction may start to affect your life in serious ways.

The good news is that there is evidence-based treatment for Ketamine addiction. Ketamine addiction treatment can help you stop using Ketamine for good and create a healthy, normal, and productive life.

How is Ketamine Used?

When distributed by a medical professional, Ketamine is often administered intravenously. For depression treatment, providers may also use an FDA-approved nasal spray called esKetamine or Spravato.

Street Ketamine can come in powder, tablet, or liquid form. When using Ketamine recreationally, one may use the drug in a number of different ways. Ketamine can be injected, taken orally, snorted, or smoked. Increasingly, it has also been available across the US through a telehealth provider, and given in the form of sublingual lozenges, known as ketamine troches.

Unfortunately, as noted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse or NIDA, Ketamine is sometimes used as a date rape drug. In this case, Ketamine is often odorless and colorless.

Other Names for Ketamine

According to the Drug Enforcement Administration or DEA, Ketamine may go by a number of different names.

Street Ketamine may be called Cat Valium, Cat Tranquilizer, Jet K, Kit Kat, Special K, Special La Coke, Purple, Super Acid, Super K, or Vitamin K.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Ketamine Abuse?

In many cases, acknowledging the signs and symptoms of Ketamine abuse is the first step toward getting help. This can also help you prevent Ketamine addiction or catch it early on.

The signs and symptoms of Ketamine addiction may be mental or physical, and they can present differently from person to person. Some are also dose-dependent, such as lack of consciousness.

With that in mind, here are the signs and symptoms of Ketamine addiction to look out for if you suspect that you or someone you know is using Ketamine.

What are the Physical Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction?

Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance. While it is less likely to induce physical dependence and more likely to cause psychological addiction, Ketamine use can come with serious physical symptoms.

Physical symptoms of Ketamine abuse can include but aren’t limited to the following.

• Gastrointestinal distress (e.g., nausea and vomiting)
• Elevated heart rate and blood pressure
• Impaired motor control
• A trance-like state
• Skin flushing or redness
• Rapid eye movements
• Muscle stiffness
• Poor coordination
• Dilated pupils
• Slurred speech
• Restlessness
• Insomnia

It is possible to overdose on Ketamine. Ketamine overdose can result in unconsciousness and dangerously slow breathing or respiratory failure, which can be fatal. Seek medical attention immediately if you believe that you or someone else you know is experiencing a Ketamine overdose.

Mental and Behavioral Signs of Ketamine Addiction

The mental and behavioral effects of Ketamine use can be just as detrimental as the physical effects. Loved ones may notice changes in your personality, mood, patterns, or demeanor when you misuse Ketamine.

Mental and behavioral signs you might notice in yourself or a loved one with an addiction to Ketamine include but aren’t limited to the following.

• Using increasing quantities or higher doses of Ketamine than before to achieve the desired effects
• Spending a great deal of time obtaining, thinking about, or taking Ketamine
• Continuing to use even if you want to reduce or stop taking Ketamine
• Problems in interpersonal relationships due to Ketamine misuse
• Trouble keeping up with obligations and responsibilities
• Social isolation or withdrawal from others
• Psychotic episodes and hallucinations
• Feelings of depression
• Drug cravings

Other mental effects of consuming Ketamine may include but aren’t limited to confusion, a dreamlike stake, or lack of connection to one’s surroundings.

Long-Term Effects of Ketamine Abuse

While the sensations and effects of Ketamine intoxication people tend to seek if they have a Ketamine addiction are relatively short-lived, abusing Ketamine can have a permanent effect on your life and well-being. These risks increase if you use Ketamine in high doses.

Long-term effects of Ketamine abuse include but aren’t limited to the following.

• Permanent changes in brain structure or function
• Kidney and bladder damage
• Memory and attention deficits

Mixing Ketamine with other substances is common in those who engage in recreational Ketamine use. If you use other drugs alongside Ketamine, some risks and consequences can be more likely, including overdose and death.

The Role of Medical Detoxification for Ketamine Addiction

When you discontinue the use of Ketamine or other drugs, you may experience withdrawal symptoms. Serious physical withdrawal symptoms are less common with Ketamine than what is seen in some other drugs (e.g., Opioids). However, Ketamine withdrawal symptoms can be uncomfortable.

Symptoms of Ketamine withdrawal may include but aren’t limited to stomach cramps or abdominal pain, vision or hearing changes, fatigue, depression, and intense cravings. Withdrawals can make it hard to stop the use of illicit Ketamine. Mixing Ketamine with other drugs may make withdrawal symptoms more severe or threatening. If you use another substance alongside Ketamine, make sure that you alert treatment staff so that they can help.

The role of a medical detoxification or detox program is to help you get off of drugs and alcohol safely and successfully with the support of medical and mental health staff. Usually, medical detox for Ketamine addiction is used prior to another level of care. For example, you may attend detox before entering an inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment program.

Ketamine Addiction Treatment Options at Icarus in Nevada

Here are the Ketamine addiction treatment options at Icarus Behavioral Health and a little bit about what each treatment option entails. If you have any questions about getting Ketamine addiction treatment in Nevada through one of our programs, please get in touch with our staff members.

We are here to answer your questions and help you through the admissions process.

Medical Detoxification Program

Our medical detoxification program provides 24/7 supervision and access to trained medical staff. Most of the time, Ketamine detox lasts for less than a few weeks.

The goal of detox is to help you reach physical stability and sobriety before you enter another treatment program to address the underlying aspects of drug addictions. This can be crucial, as substances aren’t allowed in addiction treatment programs.

During a Ketamine come down, you may enter a severe hangover-like state. During this time, you might experience intense confusion and other symptoms. Medical detox can help you avoid the potentially dangerous effects of coming off of Ketamine.

Residential Inpatient Program

Residential inpatient treatment programs require that you eat, sleep, and live onsite. Residential inpatient programs can be an ideal option for substance abuse because they temporarily remove you from access to drug use and triggers. During your time in residential inpatient treatment, you will build new patterns and learn coping skills to help you sustain sobriety post-treatment.

In residential inpatient treatment, your daily schedule may consist of individual therapy, groups, family therapy, recreation, medication management, if needed, and other activities. You will have access to all of our onsite amenities and will get to enjoy the alluring location of our treatment center.

Partial Hospitalization Program

Partial hospitalization programs (PHP) are the highest level of outpatient care and are ideal for those able to sustain abstinence from drug use while living offsite.

As a PHP client, you will commute to treatment most days per week for treatment sessions that last most of the day. The time commitment is similar to that of a job or school.

Your PHP schedule will consist of individual therapy, groups, and other activities, much like residential inpatient treatment. The difference is that you’ll get to return home or to sober living at the end of the day.

Intensive Outpatient Program

Intensive outpatient programs (IOP) are the next step below PHP. As an IOP client, you will engage in a variety of treatment activities similar to those used in PHP. However, you will attend care for fewer total hours per week and may attend treatment as little as a few days per week.

Due to the reduced time commitment IOP requires, it can be an ideal form of treatment for those who need to tend to life obligations while getting help. For example, work, school, or caring for your family.

Like all forms of outpatient care, IOP can also be used as part of a step-down approach, where you start treatment at a higher level of care (like residential) and move down to a lower level of care once you’re ready.

Outpatient Treatment Program

Our outpatient treatment program is the lowest level of care offered at Icarus in Nevada. Outpatient treatment is highly flexible and ideal for those who have stabilized symptoms and well-managed cravings. Most of the time, it’s used for those who have already finished a higher level of care.

Although your treatment plan will be unique to you, outpatient treatment may include group therapy, once-weekly individual therapy sessions, and other services. Although this may sound similar to IOP, it differs in the sense that outpatient programs require a lower time commitment.

Alumni Services and Aftercare Planning

As you prepare to graduate from your treatment program, you’ll work with staff to build an aftercare plan. Like our treatment plans, aftercare plans at Icarus Behavioral Health in Nevada are always unique to the individual.

The goal of an aftercare plan is to prevent relapse and help you sustain long-term recovery. Your aftercare plan might include continued therapy, support groups, work or education resources, and other services.

Alumni support differs from aftercare. Once you finish your treatment program, you’ll have access to all of our alumni services. Our alumni services include but aren’t limited to check-in calls with staff, fun activities, meetups, and outings.

Treatment for Ketamine Addiction and Co-Occurring Disorders

In some cases, those with an addiction to Ketamine may live with one or more co-occurring disorders. In treatment settings, the presence of one or more additional mental health concerns alongside a substance use disorder is called “dual diagnosis.”

One of many things that sets Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada apart as a leader in addiction treatment is that we are equipped to address a broad range of mental health and dual-diagnosis disorders. If you live with a co-occurring mental health condition, we can help.

In some instances, drugs like Ketamine can be used as a way of self-medicating. If this is the case, getting proper treatment for underlying concerns is critical.

Get Ketamine Detox and Treatment at Icarus Today

Ketamine addiction treatment can change your life, and Icarus is a leader in addiction and mental health treatment. To learn more about the treatment programs at Icarus Nevada and how we can help you or someone you know overcome addiction, get in touch with us today.

Icarus Behavioral Health Nevada proudly accepts most forms of health insurance. When you give us a call, we can verify your insurance coverage for free. Our staff will guide you through the admissions process and will answer any questions you have.

To contact Icarus, call the admissions line on our website, and we will provide confidential options for support!