A Journey Through Ketamine Withdrawal: What to Expect & How to Overcome It

Humans who take the drug often experience hallucinations, including the feeling of floating above their bodies. For some people, the experience is so pleasant that they keep using the drug regularly. If you have been suffering from depression, you know how debilitating it can be.

1. As a Schedule III drug, ketamine is available for medicinal use with a prescription.
2. If substance misuse disrupts work, school, and personal relationships, it can indicate a ketamine addiction.
3. MentalHelp has partnered with several thought leaders in the mental health and wellness space, so we can help you make informed decisions on your wellness journey.
4. Many resources are at the fingertips of those in need, from rehabilitation centers to support groups.

Some psychological symptoms like dysphoria or drug cravings may linger. While the severity and duration of ketamine withdrawal can vary from one person to the next, most people’s symptoms follow a similar timeline. If you or a loved one are struggling with ketamine addiction, you may be wondering what to expect during the withdrawal timeline and how the symptoms can be managed. When people try to stop using ketamine, they may also experience symptoms of withdrawal. Ketamine addiction also makes it difficult for people to function as they normally do in their daily life and activities. If substance misuse disrupts work, school, and personal relationships, it can indicate a ketamine addiction.

It’s important for anyone moving through difficult withdrawal to get help from a doctor. When brain cells are continually exposed to ketamine, they change accordingly. Your body may produce fewer key chemicals since ketamine is artificially raising their amounts.

Expert-Led Medical Detox

In order to continue feeling the effects of ketamine and maintain the balance, the user will now need to take more and more of the substance. Once the body is dependent on ketamine, stopping the drug can cause uncomfortable ketamine withdrawal symptoms. Cycling through many phases of withdrawal and dependence without lasting recovery, can cause permanent damage to the brain and nervous system. Avenues Recovery provides a rundown below of what ketamine withdrawal involves and ways to manage it.

Ketamine Slang Terms

People who use ketamine via IV injection (rather than swallowing it) may also have stronger withdrawal symptoms. For some, this could be days, whereas others may struggle for weeks or months. As discussed, this is an individualized process — no two people are identical.

The First 24-72 Hours (1-3 Days)

The longer you use ketamine, the more your brain depends on its mood-boosting effects. Once your brain builds a tolerance to ketamine, it will need more of the substance to experience the same effects as when you first started using it (tolerance). Sometimes, a ketamine addiction accompanies another mental health or substance use disorder, also called polysubstance abuse or dual diagnosis. Dangerous effects may also occur during use, which is why it’s crucial to address problematic drug use before a life-threatening situation arises.

This is likely a product of the brain processing the experience of withdrawal. As moving through the initial — and often the most tumultuous — first three days of ketamine withdrawal, the journey takes a slightly different, albeit still challenging, turn. While the first hours can be daunting, it’s important to remember that this is a transitional phase.

If you are in need of rehab-related support, please contact a treatment provider today. To help with Ketamine withdrawal, doctors might use medications like benzodiazepines to manage https://sober-house.net/ anxiety and sleep issues. They might also use antidepressants to address mood-related symptoms and cravings and antinausea medications to help with vomiting and dizziness.

People often inject it or turn the liquid into a powder for snorting or swallowing. Ketamine is sometimes mixed with other illegal substances like opiates, marijuana, or alcohol. Avenues Recovery is a community-based drug and alcohol rehabilitation center with locations across the United States.

The duration of withdrawal depends on factors like how much of the drug is still in your body, how used to it your body is, how long you’ve been using it, and whether you were using other drugs too. The level of intensity will depend on how the ketamine withdrawal symptoms are managed, the extent of dependence originally, as well as individual factors. If the withdrawal is overseen by a professional and medically managed, there is less of a likelihood of the symptoms from can you detox from weed ketamine withdrawal being so severe. If you are a polydrug user, you must complete the withdrawal process in a supervised, controlled environment. Your safety is of the utmost importance, and when there are several drugs involved in the withdrawal process, symptoms can become much more complicated and severe. With the help of a professional facility, you will be able to manage withdrawal symptoms in a way that makes your experience as safe and comfortable as possible.

However, some research suggests that high doses of ketamine or chronic use can disrupt the balance of neurotransmitters, including glutamate, and increase excitatory activity in certain brain regions. This excessive activation of glutamate receptors could potentially contribute to neuronal damage or excitotoxicity. Boca Recovery Center is here to provide the best quality care in the treatment of drug and alcohol addiction. When you quit ketamine after long periods of use, your body must find its new normal. In time, brain cells will produce normal amounts of chemicals and respond to those signals appropriately. However, until that process is complete, you may feel sick and depressed due to the lack of ketamine boost your cells are accustomed to.

All of the information on this page has been reviewed and verified by a certified addiction professional. By Elizabeth PlumptreElizabeth is a freelance health and wellness writer. She helps brands craft factual, yet relatable content that resonates with diverse audiences. The goal is to give you the tools and resources you need to maintain your sobriety and lead a healthier, happier life. Reach out for help, and be clear about your drug use habits and plans for the future. Your friends, family, and community can be a great support as you move through this first stage of recovery.

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No matter where you are on your recovery journey, there is always help available. Reach out to us today for more information about how our heroin treatment programs can help you or a loved one. It’s used in medical settings for humans and animals, though it’s more common as a tranquilizer for animals.