In a recent global study containing over 100,000 participants, it was shown that 57.70% of respondents had consumed Ketamine in the last year alone.1 Ketamine use is exceptionally common in Texas, leading to a strain on state statistics in offering substance abuse treatments.
However, not everyone with an active Ketamine addiction will seek treatment. If you know someone who’s been abusing ketamine, you need to be convincing and caring as you approach them with an intervention. Choosing a professional may help you break through to the ketamine user and help them understand the importance of recovery.
Nurture Nexus Recovery Center offers effective drug intervention services to help you and your loved ones get treatment for prescription drugs like Ketamine.
How to Intervene If Someone’s Addicted to Ketamine?
An intervention for Ketamine abuse may become necessary when the individual begins to show symptoms such as impaired cognition, delayed responses, or even unreasonable paranoia.
1. Approach Them Gently to Talk About Their Problem
When approaching someone with a ketamine addiction, it’s best to be open and welcoming. Tell them you’ve been observing some of their behavior and you’re worried about them. Make sure your tone is caring and doesn’t blame their actions, as addiction often makes individuals feel misunderstood and alone.
2. Confront Them With Evidence & Patience
It’s very likely that the person you’re reaching out to will try to deny their addiction or possibly become a bit hostile during the confrontation. You have to stand your ground and help them accept facts while patiently pleading your case. If at any point you feel the conversation is too much for them, end it on an amicable note and mention you will circle back to it.
3. Show Them You’re Willing to Help
Simply stating someone needs help for their ketamine addiction isn’t enough to make them consider addiction treatment. Bring fact sheets or some resources with you that show you’ve done your research, and express that if they need you, you’ll be willing to help them through this difficult time in their life.
4. Explain How Treatment Can Make a Difference
Having brochures and resources for treatment programs can help an individual with ketamine addiction seriously consider addiction treatment in the future. Bring up the topic in a way that they feel hopeful towards getting help and know their city has ample resources that can make a difference.
5. Consider Hiring a Professional Drug Interventionalist
In some cases, individuals addicted to ketamine may not be receptive to an intervention from loved ones or people they know. Choosing a professional drug interventionist can increase the likelihood of breaking through to them and set them up for a successful recovery journey.2
What is Ketamine Addiction?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has been used in medical practice since the late 1970s. It is illicitly sold as a street drug with a lower price point than cocaine or other hard drugs. Ketamine has been classified by the DEA as a Schedule III controlled substance, increasing regulation on the procurement and prescription of the drug.3
People develop a ketamine addiction once they start to abuse the substance outside of its medical applications. Its street names are K, vitamin K, special K, cat tranquilizer, and jet. The ketamine high tends to cause optical and auditory distortions and is used for its escapist appeal. It can also cause feelings of disconnection, relaxation, and amnesia.4
5 Signs of Ketamine Addiction
Ketamine addiction can be easy to miss since the drug is both tasteless and odorless, so you won’t physically find evidence of anyone using it. However, it does cause issues with a person’s health and behavior, which can be used as telltale signs.5
- The individual is more withdrawn from reality than usual.
- They are late to respond to questions, movement, and stimuli.
- They’ve started distancing themselves from friends and loved ones.
- You notice they’ve dropped a lot of weight in the recent months.
- They are uncharacteristically paranoid and anxious, even of their friends.
Professional Opinion on Treatment for Ketamine Abuse
“Ketamine has the potential to be used in addiction treatment and the management of many co-occurring disorders, yet it also has great potential for abuse. The recreational use of Ketamine can lead to cognitive impairment and many health issues in the long run. If you fear you or someone you love is getting addicted to ketamine, an intervention can help them understand the importance of professional treatment.”
-Dr. Oluwole Popoola
Ketamine Therapy vs. Ketamine Addiction
As ketamine is an FDA-approved drug for medicinal applications, it is used in small quantities to treat depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and chronic pain. Ketamine therapy is often administered in hospitals with prescriptions for continued, at-home care. Some people may abuse these medications to get high and actively develop a ketamine addiction.6
However, ketamine addiction is commonly seen in individuals who procure the substance illicitly and use it in much larger quantities for its hallucinogenic effects. Its amnesia-related side effects have also made it increasingly popular for sexual assaults and human trafficking. In the state of Texas, ketamine is an extremely controlled substance that is regulated to prevent such outcomes, and a majority of addiction treatment centers offer programs to help ketamine-addicted individuals.
How Treatment Can Help a Ketamine Addicted Person
Ketamine addiction is often treated through a combination of psychotherapy approaches and medication. The treatment programs are often found in the following modalities:
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient treatment programs work well for ketamine-addicted patients, as they provide 24/7 care for them. Should any medical complications occur, the patients can get help immediately, and for severe cases of addiction, the constant reinforcement of therapy and a structured living environment helps promote recovery.7
Outpatient Treatment
For patients with low to mild levels of ketamine addiction, outpatient treatment tends to offer the most benefits. These programs allow clients to maintain work, school, or family obligations while receiving structured weekly therapy. Outpatient treatment focuses heavily on cognitive behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, and coping-skills development.
Medication-Assisted Treatment
Although ketamine addiction does not have any FDA-approved medication for treatment itself, many individuals benefit from Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) to combat the psychological effects of withdrawal.8 Medical staff may prescribe antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and sleep stabilizers to regulate mood and promote better health.
Should You Be Worried About Ketamine Withdrawal?
Ketamine withdrawal is not typically dangerous in the same way opioid or alcohol withdrawal can be, but it can still be deeply uncomfortable and destabilizing. Some of the most common symptoms of Ketamine withdrawal9 are:
- Increased anxiety and paranoia
- Difficulty sleeping
- Constant mood swings
- Shakes, shivers, and sweating
- Nausea and stomach issues
- Heart palpitations
- Debilitating cravings for the drug
It is important to note that most ketamine users do not abuse the substance alone, but rather use it in combination with other substances. When mixed with other drugs such as cocaine, alcohol, meth, etc, the ketamine withdrawal process becomes more painful and complicated.
Reach out to emergency services immediately if you notice the following signs:
- Seizures or twitching
- Slurred speech
- Impaired cognition
- Struggling to register sounds
- Low hand-eye coordination
- Unresponsiveness even when ‘awake
Nurture Nexus Recovery Center Offers Ketamine-Addiction Treatment in Texas
If you or someone you love is struggling with ketamine addiction in Texas, Nurture Nexus Recovery Center offers treatment programs for substance use disorder and addiction to prescription drugs.
Our treatment programs are fully insured, so verify your insurance before moving forward to check your coverage. Call us today at (214) 838-7488 or contact us to book an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Ketamine Addiction Be Fatal?
Yes, ketamine addiction can be fatal if an individual continues to abuse the drug in large doses or mixes it with other substances.
Is It Possible to Get an Addiction From Ketamine Treatment?
Although the dosage of ketamine in treatment and therapy is low, some individuals may develop an addiction if they abuse their medication to consume ketamine in large quantities.
What Happens if You Mix Ketamine With Other Drugs?
Ketamine abuse is dangerous enough by itself and can turn fatal when mixed with other substances or drugs. This can cause the ketamine side effects to increase and can even lead to a fatal withdrawal process.
Additional Resources
- How Does Drug Addiction Affect The Circulatory System: A Comprehensive Guide
- Choosing the Right Outpatient Alcohol Rehab Near Me: A Comprehensive Guide
- How To Find Substance Abuse Treatment Near Me? What to Know
- Your Ultimate Guide to Dual Diagnosis Treatment Centers in Texas
- Finding a Drug Intervention Near Me: Everything You Need to Know
