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Ketamine Detox Symptoms, Timeline, Medications and Treatment

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  1. Is Detox from Ketamine Dangerous?
  2. Why Detoxing at Home Can Be Harmful
  3. Medically-Assisted Detox and Withdrawal
  4. What to Expect During Detoxification
  5. How Long Does Detox Last?
  6. Ketamine Detox Treatment
  7. Choose the Best Ketamine Detox Center

What is Ketamine Detox?

It's impossible to think clearly while under the influence of this drug. By detoxing, you free yourself of ketamine's influence, making it easier to begin the journey toward permanent sobriety.
What is Ketamine Detox?

A powerful tranquilizer often used in veterinary settings, ketamine has gained a reputation as a date rape drug because of its ability to render users incompetent while undermining their memories. Ketamine is also a highly addictive drug, and users who suddenly quit using may experience intense withdrawal symptoms.

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You can't achieve sobriety until ketamine has fully left your body, and its chemical influence is neutralized. A few of the effects of ketamine include:

  • Changes in heart rate.
  • Cognitive dysfunction / slowed informational processing.
  • Depression.
  • Bladder dysfunction.
  • Damage to your lower urinary tract. Once ketamine leaves your body, usually within about two to four days, your detox symptoms will be the most severe.

Once ketamine leaves your body, usually within about 2-4 days, your detox symptoms will be the most severe.

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By riding out these symptoms, you slowly rid yourself of your dependence on ketamine, bringing you one step closer to permanently ditching your addiction.


Is Detox from Ketamine Dangerous?

Most ketamine detox symptoms are psychological, not physical, which means that it's unlikely you'll suffer a serious physical event—such as a heart attack—while you detox.

This doesn't mean detoxing from this psychedelic is safe, though. Some users experience severe depression that leads to suicidal thoughts.

Others suffer from psychosis like symptoms and hallucinations. And among users who have physical health issues, especially cardiovascular health problems, detox can trigger a host of physical problems.

Some ketamine users experience severe depression, leading to suicidal thoughts.

Because ketamine is a sedative, it changes your heart rate. When you suddenly quit using it, your heart rate may change or you may suffer sudden fluctuations in blood pressure. These fluctuations can become dangerous if left untreated.


Why Detoxing at Home Can Be Harmful

Don’t Wait Hear from others on their journey through addiction and recovery. Even if you're lucky enough to avoid the physical side effects of detoxing, detoxing from ketamine on your own can be risky.

The cravings for ketamine can be very intense, and the potential for overwhelming psychological distress to accompany the withdrawal period can make it very challenging to resist the temptation for continued drug use.

If you're with others, you may lash out, behaving in an abusive and hurtful manner that yields side effects that last far beyond the detox period.

Your odds of staying sober are greatly increased by professional treatment.

Ketamine does not have to destroy your life or the life of those you love. To find out more about a ketamine detox treatment facility or program near you, please call 1-888-993-3112Who Answers? today.


Medically-Assisted Detox and Withdrawal

Medically-assisted detox programs have 2 goals.

  1. Keep you safe and healthy by treating detox symptoms as they occur.
    • For instance, if you experience dehydration, your doctor might put you on intravenous fluids. Many ketamine addicts experience intense anxiety during withdrawal, so your doctor might prescribe a benzodiazepine to manage these symptoms in the short-term.
  2. Help you resist the temptation to use.
    • Cravings are worst in the 2-4 days after you quit using ketamine, so helping you resist temptation during this period can take you a long way toward sobriety.

Unfortunately, there's no specific drug that can minimize the effects of ketamine withdrawal, but by treating your physical and psychological symptoms as they arise, your doctor can help you stay sober.


What to Expect During Detoxification

Cravings are worst in the 2-4 days after you quit using ketamine.Ketamine detox is primarily psychological in nature, producing intense anxiety and depression. Some addicts also experience delusions or hallucinations, and a few become aggressive.

You may also experience difficulty sleeping or find yourself distracted by strong and persistent cravings. Some physical symptoms of withdrawal—which are more common if you are a long-term user or have health issues such as a cardiac arrythmia or hypotension—include:

  • Rapid heart rate.
  • Irregular heart rate.
  • Changes in blood pressure.
  • Dizziness, especially when standing.
  • Nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.
  • Muscle tension.
  • Headaches.

How Long Does Detox Last?

It takes between 2-4 days for ketamine to leave your system. Rates of metabolism vary from individual to individual. Accordingly, total detox duration will vary somewhat.

When ketamine has completely exited your body, your symptoms may get significantly worse.

Within a day or two, though, you can expect them to subside. You'll still experience psychological cravings, often for many months after you quit, but the severity of your cravings will diminish, and your physical withdrawal symptoms should disappear altogether.


Ketamine Detox Treatment

  • Outpatient

    Outpatient treatment through a detox center, or in the form of monitoring by a medical professional. Because there is no specific medication for ketamine withdrawal, this approach primarily consists of monitoring and addressing your symptoms on an ad hoc basis.

  • Inpatient

    Inpatient short-term detox treatment: Inpatient detox programs typically last about a week, and aim to get you through the worst withdrawal symptoms—not to completely “cure” your addiction.

    Inpatient detox connected to an addiction rehab center: If you're worried about your ability to get sober, you may want to consider inpatient rehab, which begins with detox, but then offers therapy, 12-step programs, and psychological support to help you stay sober.

    There's no right or wrong choice, but residential facilities are often best for addicts who have previously relapsed or who are doubtful about their ability to get and stay sober.

Recovery isn't always easy, but it is very possible. For help for yourself or a loved one who struggles with a ketamine addiction, please call 1-888-993-3112Who Answers? today.

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Choose the Best Ketamine Detox Center

Seeking treatment

You deserve the best possible shot at sobriety, and that means choosing a detox center that works for your needs. For example, an atheist is unlikely to find much comfort at a Christian recovery center.

Before you select a ketamine facility, ask the following questions:

  • What experience do you have treating ketamine addicts? Remember, detoxing from ketamine is wholly different from detoxing from other drugs, such as opioids.
  • Are you equipped to deal with any medical issues I might have?
  • How long does detox take?
  • What specific treatment philosophies or programs do you use?
  • If I relapse, can I come back?
  • Do you partner with other addiction recovery facilities, such as long-term inpatient rehabs?

Concerned about your substance use? Take our screening tool for substance abuse to find out.

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