This page has been reviewed by Lester Morse, Director of Rehabs UK.
Ketamine addiction is a complex issue and overcoming it takes more than strong willpower. Repeated drug use leads to changes in the brain that challenge self-control.
Drugs, like ketamine, affect the brain’s reward system. They create a feeling of euphoria by flooding the brain with dopamine. Surges of dopamine reinforce pleasurable behaviours, thereby encouraging repetition of the behaviour, even if the activity is unhealthy.
Ketamine is a corrosive drug that impacts the bladder significantly and many regular users will experience "Ket cramps" as well as potential irreversible bladder issues. It has also been associated with chemsex for its dissociative and euphoric effects, which can enhance sexual experiences by reducing inhibitions and increasing sensory pleasure. However, its use can also lead to disorientation, memory loss, and risky behaviours, raising concerns about consent and sexual safety.
Various treatments are available for Ketamine addiction, including residential rehab programmes and home-based medically assisted withdrawal protocols. These approaches may also involve medications that support and enhance bladder and kidney function.
To find out which treatment path is the most suitable for you or your loved one, contact our Treatment Advisors for a free assessment.
The drug tends to act quickly but generally, doesn’t last for an extended period of time. This makes it an ideal party drug and it is particularly prevalent on the club scene.
At high doses, ketamine can make the user feel as though they’re having a near-death experience. In others, however, the drug can induce a state of bliss, which makes it incredibly appealing and open to abuse. People can become addicted to this high and will keep taking ketamine regardless of the associated risks of use.
Regular use can lead to tolerance. To get the same effects as before, users will resort to consuming more and more.
You can listen to how Ketamine destroyed this young person's life on our Altered Attitudes podcast.
While Ketamine may not be as physically addictive as some other substances, frequent use, can result in psychological dependence. Over time, the body can develop a tolerance, requiring a higher dose and increasing the risk of bladder and kidney damage.
The shift from recreational use to dependence is shaped by several factors:
- Environment. Exposure to substance use within families, peer pressure, and immersion in the party scene.
- Psychological. Using drugs to cope with stress, self-medicating or managing mental health struggles like depression and anxiety. Over time, self-medicating in this way can become habitual and co-occur with a mental health disorder.
- Genetics. Neuroscience has shown that people have varying levels of ability and brain function to control impulsive urges. If these genes are passed down through generations, family members are more prone to developing drug problems.
- Changes in brain chemistry. Chronic use over time can desensitise the brain’s reward system, erode self-control and build a tolerance, requiring increased doses to feel ‘normal’.
Addiction tends to get worse over time. If identified and treated early, it may be possible to avoid the major consequences of the disease. Spotting the early warning signs is crucial and is the first step to getting help.
