Do I have a Ketamine Addiction?
A ketamine addiction can occur when users continue to abuse the drug. Ketamine is a chemical compound typically used as an anesthetic and works but affecting the brain’s reward system. Ketamine floods the brain with surges of dopamine, creating the feelings of pleasure and euphoria. The surges of dopamine help to reinforce pleasurable behaviors and encourage repetition of these behaviors even if the activity is unhealthy or unsafe. Today, ketamine is becoming more popular despite being a controlled substance with very few instances of medical use.
The Schedule III controlled substance is a dissociative anesthetic. It can produce sedating effects and out-of-body experiences in which the users feel detached from themselves and their environment. In high doses, it can cause a distorted sense of perception. In low doses, it can induce a state of bliss and pleasure. This effect is what makes it most appealing to those who use the drug recreationally.
The FDA only recently approved a ketamine derivative called esketamine, used to help with treatment-resistant depression in adults. In the 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 2.3 million people aged 12 and older reportedly used ketamine at least once in their lifetime. There have been some studies and findings in which ketamine has been used for treatment of mental illnesses. However, ketamine is not FDA-approved to treat any type of substance use disorder.
History of Ketamine
Ketamine was developed in the 1960s. It was originally intended for use on the battlefield as an anesthetic during the Vietnam War. It was also used in clinical and hospital settings.
Ketamine is FDA approved for use as an anesthetic for management of acute pain in surgical, operative and emergency procedures.
According to the Journal of Psychopharmacology, in 2018, an estimated 11% of the world’s population reportedly used ketamine. In 2020, an estimated 1.1 million Americans tried hallucinogenic substances, including ketamine, for the first time. Ketamine is most commonly used among the population ages of 16-25 in the US. The average ketamine abuser is a male in his early thirties.
Today, ketamine is now being marketed as an effective treatment in managing psychiatric conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and chronic pain.
Effects of Ketamine
The effects of ketamine depend on the dosage of the drug and how long a person has been using it. Recreational use of ketamine is known to cause distorted perception of a person’s surrounding environment. In other words, they may begin to hallucinate sights or sounds. It is also known to cause a sense of pleasure and euphoria as well as the feeling of floating outside of oneself.
In high doses of the drug, a user can experience extreme detachment from their bodies and reality. Other side effects of ketamine use include increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, muscle rigidity, respiratory issues, flashbacks, paranoia, depression, and cognitive difficulties.
The short-term effects of ketamine use include headache, dizziness, sleepiness, difficulty speaking, numbness or blurred vision.
With long-term use of the drug, it can cause issues with memory, depression and anxiety. It can increase the risk of psychosis, mental illnesses and delusions. Users can also experience what is known as k-cramps. K-cramps are abdominal pains caused by damage to the bladder.
Studies have shown that repeated ketamine use can cause brain changes that are typical for a drug with addictive potential. With regular use, ketamine has been associated with symptoms of addiction including continued use of the drug despite experiencing negative consequences.
Does Ketamine Abuse Lead to Ketamine Addiction?
Ketamine is an NMDA receptor antagonist. It works by blocking the N-methyl-D-aspartate neurotransmitter in the brain. This allows for a larger flow of dopamine to enter the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a significant role in the brain’s reward system, motivation and movement.
Due to its euphoric effects, more and more people are abusing ketamine. Abuse is defined as using the drug in a dangerous manner. The drug is having a negative impact on your life. Ketamine abuse involves snorting the powder form or injecting a liquid form of the drug. Despite its rise in popularity, ketamine abuse in the US remains relatively low. A study by New York University found an estimated 1% or less of the population abuses ketamine. Ketamine abuse still affects over a million Americans per year on average. It can also increase the risk of developing a ketamine addiction.
Ketamine is not generally considered to be a physically addictive drug. However, it can lead to a psychological dependence. A psychological dependence on ketamine involves craving the drug’s euphoric effects and prioritizing its use over everything. This constant need to feel the pleasure and euphoria from ketamine can lead to an addiction to the substance.
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Signs of Ketamine Addiction
- Irregular sleep patterns or insomnia
- Irritability
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Fear and paranoia
- Distortion of time and space
- Slurred speech
- Redness
- Stomach cramps or k-cramps
- Bladder issues
- Avoiding and neglecting friends and family
- Repeatedly lying
- Poor performance at school or work
- Legal issues
- Decreased participation at work and school
- Self-isolation or secretive behavior
- Becoming obsessed with the next ketamine hit
- Spending too much money on the drug and experiencing financial issues
- Building up tolerance to the drug and needing to take more in order to experience the same effects
Risk Factors that can lead to Ketamine Addiction
- Environmental factors – Spending time around people who use the drug. Children who are exposed to the drug at a young age can develop problems as adults. Peer pressure to use the drug recreationally or during a party. Teens are most likely to engage in risky behaviors and try the drug out of curiosity and boredom.
- Psychological factors – Drugs are often used to suppress emotions. Ketamine can be used to help relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression. The use of drugs can also be used to help ease emotional pain and trauma.
- Genetics and biological factors – Some people are able to use the drug recreationally and some are not able to control impulses to consume the drug in excess. Everyone has varying levels in their ability to control impulsive urges that often control drug use.
- Changes in brain chemistry – Repeated use of ketamine can lead to physical brain changes that often challenge self-control. Long-term ketamine use can impact the brain’s chemical system and executive functions.
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Treatment for Ketamine Addiction
According to the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, between 2015 to 2019, an estimated 210,000 US adults ages 18 and over reported using ketamine in the past year. Ketamine use has become more popular and has some medical professionals concerned about its effects on mental health.
Ketamine is currently being studied as a potential treatment for alcohol use disorder and substance use disorder. However, more research is needed to determine how addictive ketamine can be and how effective it can be at providing relief to mental health illnesses. Behavioral programs such as Hotel California by the Sea provide treatment for substance use disorders including ketamine addiction.
We offer treatment at all levels of care including detox, Residential, PHP and IOP. We offer evidence-proven methods such as CBT, DBT and group therapy. Hotel California by the Sea is dedicated to providing clients with the tools they need to succeed as well as helping clients overcome their addiction.
References:
https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/ketamine
https://rehabsuk.com/addictions/drug/ketamine-addiction
https://www.addictioncenter.com/drugs/hallucinogens/ketamine
https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/what-to-know-about-ketamine
https://www.addictionhelp.com/ketamine/statistics
https://www.uchealth.org/today/ketamine-safety-is-it-addictive-does-it-help-with-depression/