Ketamine is a powerful anaesthetic drug that's used for pain management in veterinary settings and occasionally in hospitals.
The long-term effects of ketamine can be severe. When someone regularly abuses or is addicted to the drug, they're likely to see their physical and mental health deteriorate and their quality of life diminish as they focus their time and energy on getting, taking and recovering from ketamine.
The long-term effects of ketamine use could lead to:
- Physical and psychological dissociation – using ketamine to numb thoughts and feelings
- Tolerance to ketamine – resulting in higher doses to feel ‘high’
- Challenging comedowns and intense cravings for more ketamine
- Stress on internal organs – sometimes known as “K-cramps”
- Increased heart rate, seizures, high blood pressure and respiratory issues
- Urinary tract and bladder problems
- Ketamine-associated cystitis – a condition can cause frequent and urgent urination, pelvic pain, and a burning sensation when passing urine
If snorted:
- Damage the nasal passageways and sinus cavities
- Damage to the structure of the nose
- Impaired sense of smell
If injected:
- Vein damage
- Muscle and skin damage
- Skin infections, infectious diseases or endocarditis
About ketamine bladder
Chronic ketamine use can have a devastating impact on the bladder, leading to a condition known as ketamine-associated cystitis. This condition can cause frequent and urgent urination, pelvic pain, and a burning sensation when passing urine. Over time, these symptoms can worsen, resulting in a significantly reduced bladder capacity, where even small amounts of urine trigger an intense need to urinate. This is caused by chronic inflammation and scarring of the bladder wall (fibrosis). Some people may also experience blood in their urine or struggle with incontinence, which can severely disrupt daily life.
Left untreated, the damage caused by ketamine abuse can extend beyond the bladder. Persistent bladder dysfunction can lead to complications like urinary reflux, where urine flows back into the kidneys, potentially causing infections and long-term kidney damage. In severe cases, scarring and inflammation of the bladder can lead to complete loss of function, requiring medical interventions such as surgery. These physical effects, combined with chronic pain and the emotional toll of living with ongoing symptoms, can greatly diminish a person’s quality of life. Seeking professional treatment and stopping ketamine use are essential steps to prevent further damage and begin the recovery process.
Long-term effects of ketamine on the mind
Long-term ketamine use can lead to mood swings, and problems with memory and thought processes. Chronic abuse of the drug can also result in irreversible psychological impairment. A person may experience some of the following issues:
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Paranoia
- Shortened attention span
- Mood swings
Ketamine abuse can lead to problems with flashbacks, and trigger psychosis and schizophrenia in people who are predisposed to these mental health conditions. Long-term and frequent users may also experience dissociation, even when the effects of the drug have worn off.
Receiving treatment for ketamine addiction
When you're dealing with an addiction and the long-term effects of ketamine abuse, it's important that you access specialist treatment so you can withdraw from the drug safely and have the opportunity to learn ways to maintain your recovery over time.
At Priory, we offer a free addiction assessment*, giving you the opportunity to speak to a member of our addiction treatment team and allowing us to fully understand your needs.
At Priory, we provide ketamine addiction treatment. With 24-hour care and support, our medically assisted detox process means you can withdraw in a safe and secure environment, where you'll be kept as comfortable as possible.
Following on from a detoxification, we recommend that you undergo our residential addiction treatment programme. This includes group and one-to-one therapy sessions as well as psychoeducation and workshops. These different elements work together to help you understand the reasons for your addiction and develop strategies for life going forward without ketamine. As part of our programme, we'll also help you to develop a comprehensive relapse prevention plan, and provide access to personalised aftercare following on from your stay, to help you maintain abstinence as you transition back to your day-to-day life.
We also provide day and outpatient services, which can be an ideal step-down following on from a residential stay, as they offer you support and guidance as you begin to rebuild your life away from addiction.
*People with dual diagnosis may need to be assessed by a consultant psychiatrist, which is a chargeable appointment.
