Written by:
Medically Reviewed by:
Last Updated:
March 27th, 2025
An addiction to ketamine is predominantly psychological, meaning people often become addicted to ketamine to mask any underlying issues that they may be struggling with. Read on to gain a deeper understanding of what ketamine addiction is, how to spot the key symptoms and where to seek the necessary help.
Ketamine is a dissociative drug often used as an aesthetic for human and animal surgeries. Ketamine is not to be administered outside of medical fields and it’s considered a class B drug in the UK. However, due to its ability to invoke a trance-like state, some people abuse ketamine for recreational use. When used in medical settings, it appears as a clear liquid and is injected. However, when sold on the street, it often comes in a white powder form, where it’s usually snorted or ingested. When distributed illegally, ketamine often goes by various nicknames such as:
Ketamine addiction is a mental disorder which causes a person to have limited control over their ketamine intake despite the negative effects of abusing the drug. Ketamine is psychologically addictive, mainly because of its strong sedative properties, allowing users to feel short-lived moments of pleasure. However, after frequent use, people can begin to develop a tolerance to ketamine, meaning that they need to take more and more of it, and in higher doses, to experience the same “high”. This causes people to develop a reliance on ketamine, so much that when a person attempts to stop using ketamine, they may feel as though they’re mentally unable to and continue to take it despite wanting to stop.
If you think you may have an addiction to ketamine, consider the following statements. If any of them resonate with you, it may suggest you have a ketamine addiction.
We stand steadfast in our belief that drug addiction does not discriminate; it can happen to anyone under any circumstances. With this being said, some factors may trigger ketamine abuse. Such factors could be:
Given that ketamine is a tranquiliser and its short-term effects are thought to bring about a sense of detachment from reality, numb pain and generate a sensation of calm, it’s easy to see how people may clutch onto it as a means of escape from more uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.
Life brings about many complications for us all, and there are times when problems get too much. We may have experienced grief, heartbreak, illness, rejection of some kind, unemployment, or any other reason that may contribute to feelings of depression. Frequently using ketamine may provide temporary relief for those in a low place.
When consumed illegally, ketamine is considered a party drug, meaning that it is often consumed in clubs and social settings. If someone constantly uses ketamine each time they socialise, they may feel like they can’t enjoy themselves without it. Therefore, repeated ketamine abuse becomes a habit that could give way to ketamine addiction.
Ketamine was once a drug that people avoided, but over the last couple of decades, attitudes toward it have changed and now it’s more socially accepted. Ketamine is relatively cheap and easy to get hold of, which is why it’s the third most popular drug (after cocaine and ecstasy) among university students. Moreover, as ketamine is considered to have sedative qualities, it may be a drug that people use with others in their homes if there’s nothing else to do. People may be more susceptible to ketamine abuse if they live in socially deprived areas where unemployment rates are high.
When people abuse ketamine over a length of time, they are highly likely to experience numerous health implications that can affect their mental and physical well-being. Some ketamine-associated risks are:
Yes. People can break free from ketamine addiction after a supported ketamine detox but to do so permanently , they must address the underlying reasons that trigger them into abusing ketamine. Sanctuary Lodge understands that all addictions are mental health disorders. Therefore, we treat ketamine addiction the same way we’d treat any other mental health condition – by offering numerous innovative therapies and counselling workshops, which are done under the guidance of expert psychologists. This can help you address any underlying traumas that may have contributed to ketamine addiction and employ healthier ways of processing their emotions.
Sanctuary Lodge understands addiction very well. We are built upon addiction recovery and are confident we can help you free yourself from ketamine addiction. We take great pride in helping people restore their mental health at our ketamine rehab so they can live a fulfilling life they deserve. So, give us a call today, and one of our support team will get you the care you need.
Calls and contact requests are answered by admissions at
UK Addiction Treatment Group.
We look forward to helping you take your first step.
0203 811 7325
