Ketamine is a powerful anaesthetic drug that's used for pain management in veterinary settings and occasionally in hospitals.
The long-term effects of ketamine can be severe. When someone regularly abuses or is addicted to the drug, they're likely to see their physical and mental health deteriorate and their quality of life diminish as they focus their time and energy on getting, taking and recovering from ketamine.
Chronic ketamine use can lead to physical and psychological dependency
One of the long-term effects of ketamine use is physical and psychological dependency, as its strong painkilling properties and anaesthetic effects make it a highly addictive substance.
When a person takes ketamine, they're likely to experience physical and psychological dissociation, as well as surges in dopamine and serotonin. These feelings can motivate some people to continue taking ketamine, using the drug to numb their thoughts, feelings and emotions.
A person who regularly uses the drug may also find that they build up a tolerance to ketamine over time, using higher doses or taking ketamine more frequently in order to achieve the level of dissociation they desire. With frequent use, the body learns to function with the drug’s presence, leading to physical dependency where the person needs to take the drug in order to feel stable and ward off withdrawal symptoms.
When withdrawal, also known as a comedown, kicks in, the body can react in many different ways, most of which are negative. Managing a comedown can be challenging, especially if the person has taken a lot of ketamine, so the cravings to take more drugs to avoid the negative consequences become even stronger.
Long-term effects of ketamine on the body
When ketamine is ingested nasally, it can damage the nasal passageways and sinus cavities. The long-term effects of snorting ketamine include damage to the structure of the nose as well as an impaired sense of smell. When ketamine is injected, it can damage veins, muscles, skin and internal organs. It can also lead to skin infections, infectious diseases or endocarditis, an infection of the heart valves.
Chronic ketamine abuse has also been known to damage people’s kidneys and liver. When someone takes high doses of the drug for an extended amount of time, this can also lead to urinary tract and bladder problems. People might also experience an increased heart rate, seizures, high blood pressure and respiratory issues.
The ketamine-induced deterioration to a person’s health can be severe, debilitating and even life-threatening. Ketamine abuse can stop a person from being able to function normally, and even lead to organ failure, heart attacks and death in some circumstances.
Understanding ketamine and the bladder
Chronic ketamine use can have a devastating impact on the bladder, leading to a condition known as ketamine-associated cystitis. This condition can cause frequent and urgent urination, pelvic pain, and a burning sensation when passing urine. Over time, these symptoms can worsen, resulting in a significantly reduced bladder capacity, where even small amounts of urine trigger an intense need to urinate. This is caused by chronic inflammation and scarring of the bladder wall (fibrosis). Some people may also experience blood in their urine or struggle with incontinence, which can severely disrupt daily life.
Left untreated, the damage caused by ketamine abuse can extend beyond the bladder. Persistent bladder dysfunction can lead to complications like urinary reflux, where urine flows back into the kidneys, potentially causing infections and long-term kidney damage. In severe cases, scarring and inflammation of the bladder can lead to complete loss of function, requiring medical interventions such as surgery. These physical effects, combined with chronic pain and the emotional toll of living with ongoing symptoms, can greatly diminish a person’s quality of life. Seeking professional treatment and stopping ketamine use are essential steps to prevent further damage and begin the recovery process.
Long-term effects of ketamine on the mind
Long-term ketamine use can lead to mood swings, and problems with memory and thought processes. Chronic abuse of the drug can also result in irreversible psychological impairment. A person may experience some of the following issues:
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Paranoia
- Shortened attention span
- Mood swings
Ketamine abuse can lead to problems with flashbacks, and trigger psychosis and schizophrenia in people who are predisposed to these mental health conditions. Long-term and frequent users may also experience dissociation, even when the effects of the drug have worn off.
Receiving treatment for ketamine addiction
When you're dealing with an addiction and the long-term effects of ketamine abuse, it's important that you access specialist treatment so you can withdraw from the drug safely and have the opportunity to learn ways to maintain your recovery over time.
At Priory, we offer a free addiction assessment*, giving you the opportunity to speak to a member of our addiction treatment team and allowing us to fully understand your needs.
At Priory, we provide ketamine addiction treatment. With 24-hour care and support, our medically assisted detox process means you can withdraw in a safe and secure environment, where you'll be kept as comfortable as possible.
Following on from a detoxification, we recommend that you undergo our residential addiction treatment programme. This includes group and one-to-one therapy sessions as well as psychoeducation and workshops. These different elements work together to help you understand the reasons for your addiction and develop strategies for life going forward without ketamine. As part of our programme, we'll also help you to develop a comprehensive relapse prevention plan, and provide access to personalised aftercare following on from your stay, to help you maintain abstinence as you transition back to your day-to-day life.
We also provide day and outpatient services, which can be an ideal step-down following on from a residential stay, as they offer you support and guidance as you begin to rebuild your life away from addiction.
*People with dual diagnosis may need to be assessed by a consultant psychiatrist, which is a chargeable appointment.
