Many of the drugs doctors use or prescribe have the potential for addiction if people misuse them. Ketamine is a powerful medication doctors may use as a sedative anesthetic during medical procedures. Veterinarians commonly use it as a tranquilizer to sedate animals before procedures.

People may abuse ketamine for its dissociative and sensory-altering side effects. Ketamine abuse can be very dangerous, and people may become physically or psychologically dependent on it after abusing it.

This article will explore what happens when someone with ketamine addiction stops taking it.

If you or someone you love abuses ketamine or other drugs, seek treatment right away. You can find effective, compassionate treatment and support at The Carolina Center for Recovery. Contact our intake teams to learn about our detox, treatment, and recovery support programs.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is an FDA-approved prescription medication. It is a dissociative anesthetic drug that doctors and veterinarians may use during medical procedures. The drug can provide sedation and pain relief to humans and animals.

In recent years, researchers have begun to explore other uses for ketamine. Some of the uses medical experts have explored include:

• Treating chronic pain
• Relieving anxiety
• Treating bipolar disorder
• Managing treatment-resistant depression

People may abuse ketamine because of the drug’s pleasurable side effects. Misusing ketamine may cause people to experience:

• Dissociation (a feeling of being separate from the self or environment)
• Sedation
• Relaxation

Ketamine has several street names, including:

• K
• Vitamin K
• Special K
• Cat tranquilizer
• Jet

People may steal ketamine from veterinary offices or buy illegal, foreign-produced ketamine from dealers. Ketamine abuse is hazardous and can cause severe mental and physical harm.

Understanding Ketamine Addiction

Ketamine is a prescription drug. Misusing this drug can cause a range of side effects. Some of the desirable side effects of ketamine include:

• Detachment from pain
• Relaxation
• A sensation of being disconnected or separate from the environment

These feelings can make people want to abuse ketamine. However, people who abuse ketamine may also experience unwanted or dangerous side effects of ketamine, including:

• A sense of general uneasiness
• Anxiety
• Paranoia
• Distorted sensory perceptions
• Difficulty maintaining focus
• Nausea
• Loss of coordination
• Dizziness
• Memory problems

People who abuse ketamine may experience disturbing sensations. They may believe they are not “real” or feel deeply unsettled.

Long-term ketamine abuse can lead to severe complications, including:

• Long-term memory loss
• Chronic high blood pressure
• Ongoing abdominal pain
• Kidney damage

People may also develop mental and physical symptoms of addiction, including:

• Tolerance (needing to use more to get the desired effects)
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms after stopping ketamine use
• Cravings
• Preoccupation with getting and using ketamine

People who develop ketamine addiction typically require comprehensive treatment to stop using this drug. Comprehensive treatment typically begins with medical supervision during the detox process.

Carolina Center for Recovery accepts many major insurance providers, including:

Check if my insurance covers rehab

Symptoms of Ketamine Withdrawal

When someone with ketamine addiction stops taking it, they typically experience a range of physical and psychological symptoms of withdrawal. Common ketamine withdrawal symptoms include:

• Heart palpitations
• Depression
• Cravings
• Mood swings
• Excessive sweating
• Increased body temperature
• Nausea
• Tremors
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Fatigue

These symptoms can make detoxing from ketamine very challenging. Ketamine users must seek treatment to help them manage the dangerous physical withdrawal symptoms and remain focused on detox.

The Ketamine Withdrawal Timeline: What to Expect

Some research has found that ketamine withdrawal symptoms may follow a standard timeline. Many factors can affect a person’s experience during detox, including:

• The amount of ketamine they used
• Other substances they used at the same time
• Age
• Gender
• General health
• Body composition and weight
• Co-occurring mental health conditions

However, acute withdrawal symptoms may follow a timeline. Knowing what to expect at each stage of the detox process may help people stay on track in their recovery.

First 24 hours

Symptoms of withdrawal may develop within the first 24 hours after stopping ketamine. People may experience psychological symptoms, including depression. Some may develop suicidal ideation during ketamine detox. Support and supervision are essential.

Two weeks

Physical and psychological symptoms may worsen over the course of the next two weeks. People’s symptoms may make them very uncomfortable, increasing the risk of relapse.

A detox treatment program can help people manage symptoms and stay on track. A detox treatment program may include:

• Round-the-clock supervision and access to treatment
• A safe, supportive environment
• Medications to reduce cravings and other withdrawal symptoms
• Emotional support, including individual and group counseling
• Holistic therapies like nutrition support, exercise, yoga, and mindfulness

Having treatment and support during detox can help to ensure people’s safety and comfort throughout the process.

30 days

Cravings and physical symptoms can bother people for a month or longer after stopping ketamine. Ongoing treatment and support are critical to help people avoid relapse.

Ongoing treatment for ketamine addiction can help people address the roots of their substance use.

Treatment plans may include:

• Relapse prevention education
• Medication management
• Mental health care
• Individual, group, and family therapy
• Holistic therapies like exercise, art therapy, mindfulness, and more
• Coping skills
• Aftercare planning

Intensive treatment programs can help people manage long-lasting cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It can help people get to the root of their addiction and learn how to prevent relapse for life.

Find Treatment Now

If you or someone you love struggle with substance use disorder (SUD), you are not alone. Contact the Carolina Center for Recovery specialists to learn about our treatment and recovery support programs. Reach out with questions or to schedule an intake appointment.