Ketamine Addiction: Symptoms, Effects, & Treatments

What to Know About Ketamine

Ketamine is a synthetic drug and dissociative anesthetic similar to phencyclidine (PCP) in chemical structure and effects. Ketamine can produce hallucinations, pain relief, or derealization symptoms.¹

The uses, understandings, and perceptions of ketamine have shifted over the years. Physicians first used ketamine as an anesthesia, but some experts now employ ketamine in mental health treatments. Ketamine has shown some promise in treating major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

However, individuals have started misusing ketamine outside traditional treatment settings by smoking, drinking, or injecting the drug. The effects of ketamine begin quickly and last between 30 and 60 minutes.¹ Ketamine is available as a clear liquid or white powder when purchased illegally.

Illegally attained ketamine is commonly referred to as:¹

• K
• Special K
• Vitamin K
• Cat Valium
• Super Acid
• Special La Coke
• Purple
• Jet

Is Ketamine Addictive?

Ketamine is not intensely addictive but can trigger many short and long-term physical and mental health effects.² Ketamine-use disorder is not a separate substance use disorder, but problematic ketamine use could result in phencyclidine (PCP) use disorder.³ Tolerance and dependence, two issues commonly associated with addiction, can occur with repeated use of ketamine.

Due to a lack of studies on ketamine addiction, facts and statistics on misuse and addiction are limited. Nonetheless, research shows that roughly 0.1% of individuals aged 12 years and older in the U.S. experience a hallucinogen use disorder, such as ketamine addiction. Moreover, 0.3% of the population seeking substance use treatment report that ketamine or phencyclidine are their primary drugs of choice.^2,3 Therefore, ketamine has the potential to be an addictive substance.

Symptoms of Ketamine Abuse

Ketamine abuse may result in unwanted and unpleasant symptoms. While individuals may use ketamine to attain an altered state of perception or positive effects, repeated abuse may lead to a substance use disorder or addiction.

Symptoms of ketamine intoxication include:^1,2,4

• Sedation
• Inability to move
• Memory loss
• Pain relief
• Hallucinations
• Mood improvement
• Sensory detachment
• Feeling like one is dying
• Intense fear
• Anxiety and panic attacks
• Confusion
• Feeling numb

Symptoms of ketamine (PCP) use disorder or addiction include:²

• Using the drug in large amounts or more often than intended
• Being unable to stop or reduce their use
• Spending a lot of time getting and using the drug
• Craving ketamine when none is available
• Struggling at home, work, or school due to ketamine use
• Shifting interests and attention only toward ketamine
• Still using ketamine despite relationship problems
• Using ketamine despite physical or psychological harms
• Needing more ketamine to experience highs

Risk Factors & Causes of Ketamine Addiction

One of the most considerable risk factors for substance abuse is experimentation. People may try ketamine to feel better or forget emotional or physical pains. However, ketamine interacts with neurotransmitters in the brain to disrupt normal functioning. These changes in brain chemistry may make quitting ketamine challenging.

While research is sparse regarding the risk factors of ketamine addiction, one study found a connection between ketamine and alcohol use or cross-addiction. Additional ketamine addiction risk factors resemble those of other SUDs. If someone exhibits one or more of these risk factors, their chances of developing a ketamine addiction increase.

Risk factors that may contribute to ketamine addiction include:²

• Childhood trauma
• High stress
• Few or inconsistent social supports
• Family history of substance use disorders or mental health conditions
• Experiencing teenage addiction to drugs or alcohol

Risks & Side Effects of Ketamine Abuse

Since ketamine is a legal drug prescribed in certain medical situations, people may mistakenly think that the substance is safe or carries low risks. In reality, ketamine use and ketamine abuse can result in several unwanted outcomes in the short and long term. Aside from the undesirable effects of high-dose ketamine intoxication, often called a k-hole, ketamine use can begin to consume a person’s attention and energy.

Immediate ketamine side effects may include:^1,2,4

• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Poor coordination
• Feeling hot and sweaty
• Higher heart rate
• Nausea and vomiting

Side effects of ketamine addiction may lead to:^3,4

• Disagreements with loved ones
• Poor performance at work or school
• Job loss or failing out of school
• Financial problems from spending too much money on the substance
• Legal issues from possessing a controlled substance
• Physical health issues from falls or injuries sustained while intoxicated

Long-term effects of ketamine addiction may include:^2,4

• Flashbacks
• Undesirable mood and personality changes
• Depression
• Consistent memory and concentration problems
• Psychotic symptoms that last well after the drug leaves the body

Symptoms of Ketamine Withdrawal

Ketamine withdrawal is a group of unwanted and uncomfortable symptoms that present when ketamine use stops. Withdrawal indicates that the body and brain have become physically dependent on a substance to function normally.

Determining who will experience ketamine withdrawal may be impossible, but those who frequently abuse ketamine are at the highest risk. Withdrawal symptoms may last up to six days after cessation. Due to the discomfort, a person may decide to use ketamine, which only restarts the cycle of tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal.⁴

Symptoms of ketamine withdrawal may include:⁴

• Cravings for more of the substance
• Powerful symptoms of anxiety
• Depression
• Restlessness
• Poor appetite
• Feeling tired and unmotivated
• Chills and hot flashes
• Nightmares and insomnia
• Shakiness
• Quick or irregular heart rate

Can You Overdose on Ketamine?

Ketamine overdose is possible, and those mixing ketamine with alcohol or other drugs will significantly increase their risk of overdose.⁵ Ketamine overdose symptoms result from changes in neurotransmitter activity that disturb the typical signaling between the body and the brain. Severe, life-threatening, and deadly outcomes are rare but can happen. Anyone experiencing or witnessing a ketamine overdose should call 9-1-1 or locate the nearest emergency department.⁴

Ketamine overdose symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention includes:⁴

• Inability to move
• Rigid and cramped muscles
• Convulsions
• Loss of consciousness and coma

Co-Occurring Disorders With Ketamine Addiction

People abuse ketamine for various reasons, including experimentation, self-medication, or sensation seeking. Unfortunately, ketamine use may cause or co-occur with numerous mental health conditions. For example, personality disorders are prevalent in those who abuse ketamine. Antisocial personality disorder in adults and conduct disorder in children seem highly connected to ketamine use.³

Mental health disorders that ketamine addiction may co-occur with include:

• Anxiety disorders
• Bipolar disorder
• PTSD
• Attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Personality disorders
• Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
• Alcohol use disorders
• Cocaine use disorders
• Amphetamine use disorders
• Other hallucinogen use disorders

Treatment for Ketamine Addiction

Seeking professional help is essential when reviewing the dangers of ketamine. Only mental health and addiction treatments can accurately diagnose and address ketamine addiction and provide strategies to extend recovery.

Treatment options for ketamine addiction include:

Therapeutic Interventions

No matter the level of care, treatment is only as good as the therapeutic interventions received. The best providers will use evidence-based therapy techniques to facilitate a successful recovery.⁶ Finding the right therapist or treatment center can seem challenging, so review and research several options before making an informed decision. Once there, people should commit to their treatment plans and trust their providers.

It is possible to find therapists specializing in ketamine addiction treatment through online therapy platforms and an online therapist directory. Whatever the course of treatment, it is essential that the whole individual, not only their addiction, is addressed.⁶

Therapy options for addressing the effects of a ketamine addiction include:⁶

• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT addresses the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and is helpful for several substance use disorders
• Contingency management (CM): CM is a behavioral therapy that rewards people for positive sober activities. CM provides money, prizes, and gift cards when clients complete wanted behaviors.
• Motivational interviewing (MI): MI helps to build internal motivation so individuals stay focused on recovery.
• Family therapy or family systems therapy: Family therapists focus on adjusting interactions and relationships that may fuel addiction with family members, partners, and close friends.

Intensive Outpatient Treatment

Both inpatient and outpatient rehab offer many benefits, but outpatient treatments allow patients to attend therapy while maintaining work, school, and life obligations. The length of time in treatment will depend on the individual, their progress, and goals for recovery.

Types of outpatient treatment include:⁷

• Standard outpatient: These treatments commonly include weekly, hour-long therapy appointments.
• Intensive outpatient program (IOP): IOP or IOT programs offer more frequent, longer appointments than standard outpatient. These services can utilize a combination of group and individual treatments.
• Partial hospital program (PHP): PHPs, the most intense outpatient option, may offer as much as 30 hours of treatment each week.

Rehab

Rehab refers to a range of inpatient and residential treatment and is best for people with more intense addictions and fewer available supports. Individuals live in rehabilitation for the duration of their stay.

Rehab tends to be shorter in duration than other treatment options, but around-the-clock care can create a lot of positive change. Inpatient hospitalization may only last a few days, while residential rehabilitation typically lasts 30, 60, or 90 days. In some cases, services for ketamine abuse can continue for a year.⁶

Final Thoughts

Ketamine addiction may be a rare occurrence, but the risks are real. The dangers and effects of ketamine abuse can be damaging and long-term. Fortunately, comprehensive mental health treatment can effectively treat ketamine use disorders.