Is ketamine effective as a treatment option for young people with substance use and depression concerns?

It was the start of something new, and a venture that would put researchers closer to cracking the ketamine code. While advances through NIMH-supported research would allow Dr. Zarate and other researchers to help people like Michelle, the solution—in an anesthetic known as ketamine—would take more than half a century to uncover. NIMH supports research at universities, medical centers, and other institutions via grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Learn more about NIMH research areas, policies, resources, and initiatives.

What are the Side Effects of Ketamine Abuse?

The causes of ketamine addiction include genetic predisposition to substance dependency, emotional escape through dissociative effects, and environmental influences like peer pressure and drug availability. Treatment for ketamine addiction involves a combination of medical treatments and psychological interventions like detox, MAT, behavioral therapy and support groups. I do want to emphasize that ketamine can be a miraculous treatment for many who are suffering with depression, PTSD, OCD, and other mental health issues, especially where other treatments have not been effective. It is the anesthetic agent of choice for the elderly and children since it does not depress respiratory or cardiac function. Perhaps the most concerning part of the Wild West of ketamine is the pressure on companies to prescribe more and more ketamine to increase profits. Some telehealth companies mail patients large quantities of ketamine for at-home use.

Ketamine Addiction: Definition, Causes, Signs, Effects, and Treatment Methods

The therapist can introduce therapy models to improve stress ketamine addiction resilience and coping skills while those in recovery can share their stories and support one another. Family therapy may also be used to help address any dynamics within family or loved ones that may contribute to your substance use. It can also help provide family members with tools to support their loved ones in recovery. Yes, ketamine can be addictive if used recreationally.2 It is a Schedule III non-narcotic substance, which means it has accepted medical uses but has potential for misuse, dependence, and addiction.

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While you might not think that your drug use is a cause for concern, there is no ‘correct’ dosage for ketamine and any recreational use of the substance should be a cause for concern. This is because ketamine is illegal and has the potential to be highly dangerous if not administered by a medical professional. For this reason, it is important to carefully monitor your ketamine use to determine whether your habit has escalated to a full-blown addiction.

What are the Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction?

Taking too much ketamine can increase your tolerance for it, making you need more of it to feel the same effects. This can lead to ketamine dependence which makes your body need the drug to function normally. Ketamine is a dissociative hallucinogenic tranquilizer that causes the user to experience a full-body buzz resulting in a pronounced sense of relaxation. Higher doses (typically injections) can lead to an effect known as the “k-hole,” where the individual has what is described as a near-death or out-of-body experience and feels completely detached from what is alcoholism reality. The drug can make its user feel numb, which may lead to accidents and serious injuries.

How Ketamine Addiction Relates to Other Substance Addictions

Many accidental overdoses occur when a user attempts to reach the “k-hole.” Because it is a tranquilizer, complete loss of mobility can occur; this is especially dangerous if the user cannot ask for help. Respiratory failure is the leading cause of death from a ketamine overdose. Surges of dopamine reinforce pleasurable behaviours, thereby encouraging repetition of the behaviour, even if the activity is unhealthy.

Signs and Symptoms of Addiction

The National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) offers in-depth information about ketamine addiction and treatment. Ketamine looks like a clear liquid, but it is also found in powder form, which is white/off-white, or in small tablets and capsules. Ketamine’s appearance varies depending on its form and packaging, which range from medical vials for the liquid to small baggies for the powder. Ketamine has a slightly bitter taste, masked when mixed with other substances. Aftercare meetings are designed to be welcoming, accepting, and supportive to all clients in recovery. It’s a place where people can be honest and real as they learn how to navigate a new life in recovery.

• Mixing ketamine with alcohol or other depressants is especially dangerous, as ketamine is itself a depressant.
• When used recreationally, ketamine can produce delirium and altered states of consciousness that put users at risk.
• Learn more about NIMH research areas, policies, resources, and initiatives.
• Here are some of the main differences between the two main types of ketamine rehab programs.
• What can we do as clinicians and concerned citizens to make this Wild West safer?

Behavioral signs of ketamine usage and abuse

In contrast to generic ketamine, Spravato, an intranasal version of ketamine (esketamine), is FDA-approved and therefore is highly regulated. I’m amazed at the differences between the rollout of Spravato vs. generic ketamine. Firstly, a patient is required to have treatment-resistant depression and have failed multiple antidepressants to get approval for Spravato. Secondly, there are only two doses of Spravato, and treatments are delivered at standardized frequencies. Lastly, every Spravato session is required to be monitored in a clinic setting, and data are collected. If you or a loved one are exhibiting these signs, get medical intervention immediately.

Signs of Abuse

It tends to cause a wide variety of effects relating to almost every area of the body. It’s very easy to accidentally hurt yourself while on ketamine because it’s an anesthetic. Pain tells us when we’re injured or doing something that is likely to lead to injury. It also forces us to stop and focus on the injury, preventing further damage. Someone on ketamine can incur a serious injury and continue on as if nothing happened, exacerbating the problem. Ketamine is not currently approved by FDA for the treatment of any substance use disorder.

Effects of Ketamine

Ketamine can also produce an extensive array of other symptoms that affect many parts of the body, but they are less common. Because several other trials indicate ketamine may have significant antianxiety effects, the authors encouraged future studies to explore this possible benefit more fully. The FDA has approved ketamine for general anesthesia only, but the drug has some off-label uses.