Ketamine withdrawal and detox
Gain insight into the symptoms and timeline of ketamine withdrawal, alongside practical coping strategies.
Detoxing from ketamine can be a challenging journey, but understanding what to expect can make the process a bit easier. It’s important to understand the symptoms you might experience and the timeline of the withdrawal process, as well as some useful strategies to help you cope during this time.
Timeline of ketamine withdrawal
Understanding the ketamine withdrawal timeline is crucial for preparing and managing expectations during detox. Here’s a breakdown of what you might experience:
Onset of symptoms – 24 to 72 hours
You’ll usually begin to notice withdrawal symptoms within 24 to 72 hours after you last took ketamine. The initial signs can include cravings for ketamine, anxiety, restlessness and general discomfort.
Acute phase – days 1 to 3
During the first few days of ketamine withdrawal, you may start to experience intense symptoms, such as:
- Physical symptoms – sweating, nausea, muscle tension and shaking
- Psychological symptoms – significant anxiety, mood swings, depression and hallucinations
Peak symptoms – days 4 to 7
During this period, symptoms may peak and be particularly severe. This is often the most challenging stage of withdrawal, as your body is adjusting to the absence of ketamine.
- Physical symptoms – physical discomfort peaks but may start to gradually lessen towards the end of this phase
- Psychological symptoms – emotional symptoms can become more pronounced during this phase
Stabilisation – weeks 2 to 4
Symptoms generally begin to stabilise and decrease in intensity, but psychological symptoms like mood swings and cravings may persist. This is a period of adjustment as your body and brain chemistry start to return to normal.
Extended recovery – week 4 and beyond
While your most acute withdrawal symptoms will usually have resolved by this point, some people may experience prolonged psychological effects, such as depression or cravings. Ongoing support and therapy are important during this extended recovery phase to prevent relapse and manage any long-lasting effects.
Understanding ketamine withdrawal symptoms
Ketamine withdrawal can be a complex experience, with a variety of symptoms that can affect you both physically and psychologically.
First signs of withdrawal
You’ll probably start to notice ketamine withdrawal symptoms 24 to 72 hours after you last took the drug. The first signs of withdrawal often include strong cravings for ketamine, accompanied by feelings of anxiety or restlessness.
- Fatigue - you may feel unusually tired and drained, making even simple tasks seem daunting
- Sweating - increased sweating is common and can be uncomfortable, especially at night
- Muscle tension - you might experience stiffness or aches in your muscles, which can be painful
- Nausea - this can include stomach cramps and the urge to vomit, which can make eating difficult
- Shaking - you may experience uncontrollable tremors or shaking, especially in your hands
- Chills and hot flashes – you might get sudden chills or hot flashes, making it difficult to regulate your body temperature
- Headaches – you may experience persistent or severe headaches, which can be resistant to over-the-counter pain relief
- Increased heart rate - you might notice your heart beating faster than usual, which can sometimes feel alarming
- Insomnia - difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep can contribute to your feelings of tiredness
- Dizziness - you may feel lightheaded or dizzy, which can affect your balance and co-ordination
- Anxiety - feelings of panic or excessive worry are common when withdrawing from ketamine
- Mood swings - your mood may quickly go from one extreme to the other
- Depression - a deep, persistent sadness can set in, making it hard to find pleasure in anything
- Hallucinations - in some cases, you might see or hear things that aren’t there, particularly during the first few days of withdrawal
- Confusion - you might feel confused or find it hard to think clearly, which can be disorienting and frustrating
- Paranoia - some people experience feelings of paranoia or an irrational distrust of others during withdrawal
- Memory problems – you might find it difficult to remember recent events, or struggle to concentrate
- Emotional numbness - you might feel detached from your emotions or find you’re less emotionally responsive than usual
Withdrawal symptom severity and triggers
The severity of your ketamine withdrawal symptoms can vary widely. Influencing factors include how long you’ve been taking ketamine and how much of the drug you’ve consumed.
Withdrawal symptoms happen because ketamine disrupts the normal functioning of the brain, particularly in areas that are responsible to regulating pain, memory and mood. When you stop taking ketamine, your brain struggles to adapt to its absence, which triggers withdrawal symptoms.
It means that people who’ve used ketamine for a longer period of time or in greater quantities usually have more severe withdrawal symptoms. In these cases, the brain has to go through a bigger adjustment to get back to normal. This process can result in more intense and prolonged withdrawal effects.
Environmental factors, stress and your general physical health can also influence the intensity and duration of your withdrawal symptoms:
Environmental factors
Your surroundings can significantly affect your withdrawal experience. A calm environment helps by lowering stress and anxiety, promoting relaxation, enhancing sleep quality, supporting emotional wellbeing and encouraging positive coping mechanisms. On the other hand, a chaotic or unsupportive setting can heighten stress, disrupt sleep, and make emotional regulation more difficult, which can make withdrawal symptoms worse
Stress
High levels of stress can also make withdrawal symptoms worse. Stress triggers the body’s fight-or-flight response, which can amplify feelings of anxiety and discomfort. Managing stress through relaxation techniques, support from others or professional guidance can help mitigate these effects and make the withdrawal process more manageable
General physical health
Your overall health affects how your body handles the stress of withdrawal. If your general physical health isn’t impaired, detoxing may be less of a strain, potentially reducing the severity and duration of your symptoms. On the other hand, pre-existing health issues, such as mental health problems, chronic pain, cardiovascular problems, gastrointestinal disorders or a weakened immune system, may intensify symptoms and prolong recovery
Ketamine detox process
Detoxification, or detox, is a medically supervised process designed to remove all traces of a drug from your body, while helping you manage your withdrawal symptoms. Detox is an essential first step in overcoming ketamine addiction and should always be done in a controlled environment and under medical supervision, to ensure your safety.
Trying to detox on your own, or going ‘cold turkey’, can be dangerous. This is because managing intense withdrawal symptoms without medical support can result in serious health complications, including dehydration, seizures and cardiac issues.
What to expect during detox
Detox typically lasts 7 to 10 days and is conducted in a specialist inpatient rehab centre under medical supervision. You’ll stay in a calm and supportive environment, designed to help you safely manage withdrawal symptoms while ensuring your comfort and wellbeing.
During detox, your health will be closely monitored by a multidisciplinary team. Medical interventions may include non-addictive medications to ease symptoms like anxiety, nausea and insomnia. As you progress, you’ll begin addiction therapy to address the underlying causes of your addiction and build a foundation for long-term recovery.
Professional supervision is vital during detox to manage any complications that arise, such as dehydration or severe withdrawal symptoms. This ensures you have access to immediate medical care if you need it, reducing risks and supporting a smoother transition into the next phase of treatment.
Coping and self-care strategies
Detoxing from ketamine can be physically and emotionally challenging, but there are a number of things you can do to help it go as smoothly and successfully as possible.
- Physical self-care - proper nutrition, hydration and rest are key to rebuilding your strength during detox. Your medical team will provide meals and ensure you stay hydrated. When you feel ready, light physical activities such as yoga or walking can boost energy and reduce stress, benefiting both your body and mind
- Emotional and psychological care - mindfulness, meditation, and breathing exercises can help ease anxiety and promote mental clarity. Creative outlets like art therapy can also provide a positive distraction and a way to process your emotions. Therapy sessions will be available once you’re physically stable, offering a space to explore and understand your feelings
- Community support - engaging with your treatment team and peers in therapy can foster a sense of connection and understanding. Support networks, whether these are family, friends or recovery groups, play a vital role in maintaining motivation and providing encouragement throughout detox and beyond.
Get help today
If you or someone you know is struggling with ketamine addiction, it's important to get professional help. At Priory, we offer a comprehensive ketamine detox programme that provides medical supervision and therapeutic care. Our experienced team is here to guide you every step of the way, ensuring you have the support you need in a compassionate and understanding environment.
Don't hesitate to reach out to us; taking the first step could be the start of a new, healthier life. Contact Priory today to learn more about how we can help you through your detox journey.
