Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic that alters brain function and impacts multiple systems in the body. While it has medical uses, recreational use can cause serious physical and psychological symptoms.
Regular ketamine use can lead to ketamine bladder syndrome, liver disease, cognitive impairments, and mental health disorders. It’s also often used in combination with other drugs, increasing the risk of overdose.
It can also damage a person’s relationships and affect their ability to perform at work, school or university.
If you’re concerned about your or a loved one’s ketamine use, seek professional support. Even if you don’t consider yourself an addict, it’s important to reflect on your ketamine usage and find out more about the signs of misuse and addiction.
Recognising the signs of ketamine addiction can help you or your loved one seek the necessary support and treatment as soon as possible.
Ketamine affects the nervous system, leading to a range of physical symptoms:
Ketamine affects the brain’s neurotransmitter systems, leading to changes in perception, mood and cognition:
The physical and psychological effects of addiction cause changes in a person’s behaviour:
Recognising the difference between ketamine abuse, dependence, and addiction can help you to identify a potential problem and take the appropriate next step.
Signs of ketamine abuse include using more often and taking larger doses, using in unsafe environments, or engaging in risky behaviours while under the influence of ketamine.
While you may not be physically dependent on it yet, misusing ketamine can lead to significant harm and addiction.
Dependence occurs when your body adapts to ketamine and starts to physically rely on the substance.
Sings of dependence include needing more ketamine to achieve the same effect (tolerance) and experiencing cravings and discomfort without it.
Addiction is a chronic condition characterised by ketamine use becoming compulsive and difficult to control, even when it causes harm to your health, relationships or daily responsibilities.
It involves changes in brain chemistry, which reinforce drug-seeking behaviours despite negative consequences.
As ketamine use continues, the brain adapts to its presence and becomes less sensitive to the drug. Tolerance increases and the user needs higher doses to achieve the same effects, which further desensitises the brain’s reward system.
This cycle leads to addiction, meaning ketamine use is no longer a choice but a compulsion.
It’s important to intervene as soon as possible and seek professional advice and support if you believe you or your loved one misuses ketamine. If the signs of dependence or addiction are present, contact your GP or an independent health provider, such as Priory, as soon as possible.
If you or someone you know is struggling with ketamine use, it’s important to remember that recovery is possible. Seeking help is the first step, and there are many support options available.
Priory offers a free, confidential and non-judgemental addiction assessment, giving you an opportunity to discuss your concerns with an expert. During this conversation, a therapist will explore how ketamine is affecting your life and determine the best path for your needs.
You can also contact your GP who can provide advice and guidance on treatment options and, if necessary, refer you to an NHS addiction treatment service.
There are several evidence-based treatment options available at professional addiction services, such as Priory:
Ketamine addiction treatment typically begins with a medically-assisted detox, if necessary, to manage withdrawal symptoms in a structured, supervised setting.
This is often followed by inpatient rehab, a 28-day residential programme providing therapy, medical care, and structured support. To support long-term sobriety, 12 months of free aftercare is available after completing residential treatment.
Quitting ketamine alone and abruptly (going ‘cold turkey’) can be dangerous as you may experience seizures, hallucinations, severe anxiety or suicidal thoughts. Receiving professional support, including therapy and detox, improves success rates and offers a safer path to recovery.
Depending on your level of usage, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking ketamine. Withdrawal symptoms may include increased heart rate, anxiety, depression, sweating and chills, loss of appetite, intense cravings and mood instability.
