An addiction to ketamine is hard to overcome without adequate help. Even when a person wants to quit using the drug, chemical changes in the brain make it almost impossible to stop without utilizing professional help.
Once an individual steps into the realm of addiction, they spend their days feeling extremely detached from their surroundings, and become unable to live a normal, productive life. They have usually become cognitively impaired at this stage, with both their speech and memory affected.
Signs of an addiction to ketamine include:
- Becoming obsessed with the next “hit”
- Spending large amounts of money on the drug
- Neglecting responsibilities such as work and school
- Building up a tolerance and requiring higher amounts to experience the “high”
- Abandoning family and friends
- Increasing the amount of usage
Seeking professional help is essential when recovering from addiction to ketamine. Treatment can help normalize the brain’s chemical balance, making it easier to start the psychological recovery process.
Ketamine—also referred to as Kit Kat, Special K, cat valium, Vitamin K or Dorothy—is an anesthetic intended for animals, that is abused as a recreational drug; It is especially popular in the club scene among young adults.
Ketamine is defined as a dissociative anesthetic because of its sedative effects, which produce an out-of-body experience in which the user feels disassociated from themselves and their surroundings. Ketamine also warps the user’s perceptions of sight and sound and can make it difficult to move. At extremely high doses, individuals have reported feeling as if a near-death experience is occurring. Other users have reported that they experience a state of euphoria while using Ketamine. Ketamine is sometimes administered in medical settings, usually to sedate children who have had adverse reactions to other anesthetic medications, as well as in burn therapy and radiation. It is also used in scenarios where sedation is necessary but more potent anesthetics may be too strong for a patient to handle.
Ketamine (sold under the brand name Ketalar) is a schedule III controlled substance, the same category as codeine and anabolic steroids. Schedule III substances can lead to physical dependence but are more likely to lead to psychological dependence.
At Asana Recovery, we understand how difficult recovering from these addictions through our daily work to help those struggling most from this disease. While some may believe they can make it alone, rehabilitation programs are essential in the fight to break the dependency. The road ahead is not a smooth or easy one, but you can traverse it if done so with the support of the right team. Counseling and aftercare processes can assist you by addressing the psychological facets that led you to addiction and help you build a structure from which to better cope with life without succumbing to addiction.
The supervised detoxification and residential treatment programs at Asana Recovery are offered in a supportive, relaxing, and inspiring environment. We’re deeply committed to ensuring your long-term recovery and guiding you on your path to a healthier and happier future. There is no better time than now, and we’re always available to speak with you. Call us at (949) 438-4504 to learn more about our comprehensive drug and alcohol addiction treatment program today.
