Posted by In recent years, Ketamine has been attracting a lot of interest. Not just for its medical applications but also for its social and illegal uses. It has been demonstrated that it can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues as a dissociative anesthetic. However, much like many other medicines, ketamine has certain negative side effects. It’s crucial to consider how to overcome your ketamine addiction because the medication can have detrimental effects on those who misuse it or stop using it suddenly. This blog discusses ketamine withdrawals in detail, outlining the signs, dangers, and available treatments.
Basics of Ketamine
Ketamine has been successfully used as a human anesthetic, a sedative, and in veterinary medicine since it was given medical approval in the United States in the 1970s. Its ability to act as a dissociative anesthetic prevents memory formation and promotes unconsciousness, which is crucial for surgery or other difficult medical operations. But since the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) put ketamine on its Schedule III list, it’s no longer used as often as an anesthetic for surgery.
Ketamine makes people feel happy and calm, and it can also cause flashbacks. Because of this, it is often used at clubs, raves, and shows. In the 1970s and 1980s, ketamine was stolen from hospitals and animal clinics. More recently, the drug has been brought in from illegal labs and sold in powdered or tablet form, or as cocaine or the drug.
What Are Ketamine Withdrawals?
Extreme abuse of ketamine can lead to psychological dependence on the drug very quickly. Before becoming addicted to ketamine, resistance builds up, which leads to higher doses and more use. When a person who is addicted to a drug stop using that drug suddenly, withdrawal signs start to appear.
Ketamine changes the opioid receptors in the brain, which is what makes us feel like we’re going through withdrawal. The signs of psychological withdrawal can be very harmful. The most dangerous type of mental illness might be severe depression, which can make you more likely to kill yourself.
Having a Better Understanding of Ketamine Withdrawals
When someone suddenly stops using ketamine or makes a large reduction in the amount of ketamine they take, they may go through what is known as ketamine withdrawal, which includes both physical and psychological symptoms. Even though ketamine is not categorized as a highly addictive substance like opioids or stimulants, persistent use or overuse of the substance can lead to several kinds of withdrawal symptoms.
Ketamine Addiction and Withdrawal Symptoms
Ketamine withdrawal symptoms can vary in terms of both how severe they are and how long they last. These could be some of them:
Symptoms of a Mental Illness
- Nervousness and irritability
- Depressed state of mind
- Having trouble concentrating on things
Signs and Symptoms in the Body
- Effortlessness and trembling
- Experiencing Nausea While Sweating
- Disturbances in appetite
Symptoms Relating to The Mind
- Problems with Confusion and Memory
- a state of disorientation
Psychological Signs and Symptoms
- Delusions of reality
- False beliefs
- A state of fear
It is essential to keep in mind that the severity of withdrawal symptoms can be affected by a variety of factors, some of which include the individual’s consumption patterns, the length of time they use the substance, and their general state of health.
A Timeline for Ketamine Withdrawals
Regarding ketamine withdrawal, the research is contradictory. According to some researchers, withdrawal symptoms from long-term ketamine use rarely manifest physically.
On the other hand, some other researchers have found some psychological come-down effects of ketamine, which may start to take effect anywhere from a few hours to a few days after the last use of the drug.
A person’s mood may drop the day after using ketamine. After stopping ketamine, people may experience anxiety, shaky hands, sweating, a raised body temperature, and chest pain from day 12 to 30. Another side effect of ketamine withdrawal is cravings. Relapses with ketamine are usually caused by cravings.
Effects In People with Mental Health Conditions
Ketamine withdrawal can potentially cause more adverse effects in people who have mental health conditions to begin with. The psychological symptoms of ketamine withdrawal can make anxiety and sadness worse, which can make it more likely that you’ll use it again or have other mental health problems.
How do you Diagnose Ketamine Withdrawals?
Medical professionals can diagnose ketamine withdrawal syndrome based on sudden withdrawal symptoms. They may question you or a loved one how long you’ve been using ketamine.
Medical experts may also be able to get rid of the chance of withdrawal from other, more powerful drugs, like opioids and cocaine.
Your doctor may suggest a ketamine detox plan and follow-up care to treat the symptoms of ketamine withdrawal. These courses are also meant to help with problems with addiction and dependency.
How to Deal with Ketamine Withdrawals
If you or someone you know is going through ketamine withdrawal, you need to get help from trained healthcare providers right away. Here are some possible ways to treat the disease:
Medical Supervision
Medical staff can keep an eye on withdrawal signs and help control them, as well as provide the right help when it’s needed.
Psychological Support
Help with mental health Therapists and counselors can help their clients deal with psychological signs and learn ways to deal with cravings and triggers so they can get over their addiction.
Reducing Ketamine Gradually
The gradual reduction of ketamine use can help reduce withdrawal symptoms when it is allowed and supervised by a doctor.
Comprehensive Approaches
During the withdrawal process, making exercise a habit, eating well, and paying attention to your thoughts can help improve your overall health and help you deal with the withdrawal symptoms.
How long does it take for your body to get rid of ketamine?
The amount of time it takes for the body to get rid of half of the drug after taking ketamine can be anywhere from 45 minutes to four hours. This is called the drug’s “half-life”. On average, it takes between one and three days for the body to get rid of ketamine.
But the exact period it takes for your body to get rid of ketamine varies depending on several things, like:
- What’s your age?
- Body weight or mass
- Process of metabolism
- The drug’s dose
The liver is responsible for breaking down and eliminating ketamine. Norketamine is produced when the liver breaks down ketamine. Dehydronorketamine is then formed from norketamine. These molecules leave the body mostly through urine.
Wrap-Up
Ketamine withdrawal is challenging for the body, the mind, and the ability to think. As we’ve looked at all of the signs, from worry and tiredness to hallucinations and feeling lost, we’ve realized that quitting ketamine is a big deal. To safely quit, you need to be aware of the risks and get help from a professional.
Suboxone offers hope in drug addiction treatment. Recently, buprenorphine-naloxone suboxone has become a breakthrough treatment. This is crucial when discussing withdrawal’s complexity. Opioid addiction treatment with suboxone is useful. Medication-assisted treatment helps opiate withdrawal sufferers recover their lives and face mental and physical challenges.
A strategy that takes into consideration the whole person, like medical supervision, psychological support, and holistic measures, can lower pain and make the change easier. Remember that knowing about ketamine withdrawal gives people the power to make good choices about their health and shows that recovery is possible with the right help and resources.
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