Ketamine Addiction Treatment

Ketamine is widely known as ‘ket’, 'Vitamin K', 'K' or 'Special K'. Ketamine typically comes in liquid form which can be injected, or as a white, grainy powder which can be snorted or swallowed as a tablet. The effects of the drug include hallucinations and dissociative anaesthesia (known as 'out of body experiences' and referred to as the 'K hole' by users of the drug).

Prolonged use of the drug can result in a ketamine addiction, as tolerance and cravings for the drug increase. Ketamine addiction usually follows the same 'binge-crash' pattern as cocaine misuse, and often needs professional addiction treatment. 

How is ketamine addiction treated at Priory?

Ketamine addiction rehab takes place as part of Priory’s comprehensive addiction treatment programme. This consists of a 28-day residential stay at one of our specialist hospital sites, where you will be able to undergo a medically assisted detoxification process if this is required, before commencing with an intensive programme of group and individual therapy. Twenty eight days is the recommended treatment time for addictions, but the length of the addiction treatment that you receive at Priory can be flexible according to your condition, requirements and commitments.

All of the addiction treatment that we offer at Priory is based on the renowned 12-Step addiction treatment philosophy. This model was first pioneered by the organisation Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and is an abstinence-based approach that focuses on your motivation to change your addictive behaviours, whilst also drawing upon elements of spirituality in the treatment journey.

Free addiction assessment at your nearest Priory hospital

At Priory, our addiction experts recognise that acknowledging and seeking help for your ketamine addiction can be a difficult step to take. That’s why all of our specialist addiction treatment hospitals offer a free initial addiction assessment with an experienced addiction therapist, enabling you to discuss your ketamine addiction confidentially, and in a discreet and non-judgemental environment.

Once you have been assessed and choose Priory as your care provider, you will be introduced to our established addiction treatment programmes. 

Our ketamine addiction treatment programme consists of:

• A free, no obligation addiction assessment
• 7 to 10 day medically assisted detoxification for your ketamine addiction, if this is required
• Individual 1:1 therapy and structured group therapy programmes
• Family and couples therapy programmes
• Access to both on and off-site 12-Step support groups, specifically tailored to your unique addiction
• Free group aftercare for 12 months following treatment (aftercare is provided for life following treatment at Priory Hospital Roehampton)
• Free family support for 12 months following treatment (family support is provided for life following treatment at Priory Hospital Roehampton)

As well as offering comprehensive inpatient addiction treatment at Priory, we are also able to deliver both outpatient and day care treatment for ketamine addiction, depending on the nature of your addiction and the intensity of the support that you require.

Medically assisted ketamine detox

We offer a comprehensive medically assisted drug detoxification process for your ketamine addiction, if this is required. The purpose of this is to remove all traces of ketamine from your body, whilst controlling withdrawal symptoms. Detox involves:

• 24-hour support from experienced specialists who will ensure that your safety is a top priority
• A substance-free environment to prevent the possibility of relapse
• Controlled medication can be prescribed if required, to help to alleviate any discomfort that you may experience as part of the withdrawal process

The withdrawal symptoms you experience as part of the detox process can vary depending on how long ketamine stays in your body.

Ketamine withdrawal symptoms

Ketamine withdrawal can result in a wide range of severe and sometimes distressing withdrawal symptoms. Withdrawal symptoms appear when your body is no longer receiving a substance that it is used to having, causing severe psychological and physical effects.

Psychological symptoms of ketamine withdrawal may include:

• Severe depression
• Acute anxiety
• Irritability and aggressive behaviour
• Paranoia and psychotic episodes
• Insomnia 
• Self harm and suicidal thoughts

Physical symptoms of ketamine withdrawal may include:

• Bladder pain
• Stomach cramps
• Impaired vision
• Temporary hearing loss
• Increased heart rate
• Sweating
• Lack of coordination and motor skills
• Intense cravings for ketamine

Each individual who seeks ketamine addiction support with us will benefit from an individually tailored treatment experience, which has been purpose-designed to meet your personal needs and requirements. This means that you will be placed at the centre of your treatment and rehabilitation journey and will be involved in decisions that are made about your care, in order to produce the most positive post-treatment outcomes.

Self-help tips for dealing with the initial stages of ketamine addiction

If you think that you have developed a problem with ketamine addiction, it is essential that you seek professional help. Below are some additional tips that you can use to help you to cope with the initial stages of ketamine addiction:

• Admit that you have a problem with ketamine misuse
• Be honest with your friends and family about your problem with ketamine - support from family and friends is very important in the rehabilitation and recovery process
• Try to avoid temptations and negative influences
• Accept that the process of achieving abstinence from ketamine will be challenging, and prepare yourself to make some significant changes in your life

Crisis care at Priory

Priory’s customer service team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to ensure that those in crisis can be signposted to the best possible support, as quickly as possible. The specialist teams at our residential facilities can help to stabilise those in need of immediate assistance, including providing access to medically assisted detoxification for alcohol and drug addictions, where required.

Contact Priory today

To find out how Priory can help you to overcome your ketamine addiction and return to a positive way of life, call our dedicated team today on 0800 144 8969.