Is ketamine addictive? This is an important question, especially as this drug is used in the medical field and prescribed as a treatment for depression. But what are the risks of using it? Keep reading to learn more about ketamine and addiction.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a drug that has been used in the medical field since the 1970s. Originally, it started as an anesthetic for surgery. Ketamine is related to PCP, also known as angel dust. It can cause a dissociative state.
Since that time, however, researchers have started to use ketamine as a treatment for depression. The FDA has now approved it for treatment-resistant depression.
That said, there are still plenty of people who abuse ketamine for all of the same reasons that it is used as a medical treatment. But is ketamine addictive?
Is Ketamine Addictive?
Yes, ketamine can be addictive. Because it comes with a risk of addiction, it is heavily regulated when used in the medical field. If, for example, you are prescribed ketamine for depression treatment, you will have to take it while supervised by a physician who monitors the exact amount you take and your immediate symptoms for several hours afterward.
That does not, however, mean that there aren’t other ways to find ketamine. The more you find yourself reliant on ketamine, the more likely you are to abuse it.
Treatment for Ketamine Addiction
If you or someone close to you is struggling with ketamine addiction, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using ketamine, and unable to stop or control how much you take despite the consequences, it’s important to get professional treatment immediately.
The right kind of treatment will include detox to eliminate the drug from your system and to help alleviate the symptoms of withdrawal. From there, you’ll transition into a level of care that fits your schedule. Many people prefer outpatient care because of the flexibility it affords. Outpatient programs come in several forms and can be designed around other work or school responsibilities.
During the course of your treatment, you’ll participate in individual and group therapy, both of which help you understand the factors that led to addiction in the first place and develop coping mechanisms to control cravings and triggers thereafter.
It’s important that you work with a qualified treatment center who can offer the right type of detox resources at the start of your program, and from there, the right level of care. Consider the programs offered and whether holistic care is an integral backbone to all of the therapies in which you are involved.
Ketamine Addiction Treatment at Peninsula Health Center
At Peninsula Health Center, our clients can undergo holistic addiction treatment for ketamine. As a Long Beach outpatient drug treatment center, we offer several levels of care, including intensive outpatient programs and resources to help after treatment, like sober living connections.
We understand how challenging ketamine addiction can be, and that is why we provide help not just for ketamine addiction but for any co-occurring mental health disorders. Many people who struggle with conditions such as depression might also develop an addiction to ketamine, and we can provide treatment for both at the same time at our dual diagnosis treatment center in Southern California.
Our flexible outpatient detox makes it possible for clients to get the help they need without having to remain at a treatment center full-time. This makes treatment more affordable and comfortable. After that we can help with trauma-informed care, mindfulness, and yoga to treat every aspect of the individual.
If you have a history of addiction and you are struggling with ketamine addiction, consider an outpatient treatment program that gives you flexibility in your schedule with appropriate treatment.
Call Peninsula Health Center today to get treatment that really works.
