Ketamine Addiction

Table of Contents

Ketamine is a medication used for general anesthesia in humans and animals. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved this dissociative anesthetic for use in hospitals and clinics. Some clinics may provide ketamine infusion therapy for chronic pain or as a treatment for depression. However, people misuse this Schedule III medication because of its hallucinogenic and relaxing effects. Chronic ketamine abuse or misuse can lead to ketamine addiction. It’s important to know the signs and symptoms of ketamine addiction so you can seek treatment for yourself or someone you care about.^1,2

Signs and Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction

Ketamine abuse causes several noticeable side effects. If you are worried someone you love is addicted to ketamine, you may recognize these signs of ketamine use or intoxication:^1,3,4

Nausea and vomiting
Blurry vision
Time distortion (speeding up or slowing down)
Track marks (if injected)
Rapid eye movement
Muscle rigidity
Incoordination
Insomnia
Slurred speech
Sleep disturbances
Mood swings (often violent)
Disorientation
Seizures
Dizziness
Sedation
Hallucinations
Agitation
Anxiety
Dissociation

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), a person with a ketamine addiction will exhibit at least two of the criteria listed here in the span of 12 months:⁴

Taking ketamine in a way other than prescribed
Unable to control ketamine use
Spending significant amounts of time getting, using, and recovering from effects of ketamine
Experiencing ketamine cravings
Neglecting responsibilities in favor of ketamine use
Using ketamine despite the negative impact on relationships
Avoiding or giving up social and recreational activities to use ketamine
Recognizing there is a problem, but continuing to use anyway
Experiencing tolerance to the effects of ketamine
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you abruptly quit using ketamine

Who is at Risk of an Addiction?

Ketamine addiction is a chronic condition characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use behaviors despite harmful consequences. An addiction to ketamine involves functional alterations to neuronal circuits that process stress, reward, and self-control, which may last even after someone has stopped using the drug.⁵ While anyone who tries ketamine may be at risk of developing an addiction, there are certain risk factors that increase the chance of becoming addicted to ketamine.

Risk factors for ketamine addiction may include:⁵

Genes
Using ketamine at a young age
Smoking or injecting ketamine
Parents or guardians who abuse drugs or alcohol
Parents who break the law
Gender
Academic problems
Poor social skills
Mental health conditions

Scientists estimate that genes account for between 40%-60% of an individual’s risk for addiction to ketamine or other drugs.⁵

How to Treat Ketamine Addiction

If you or someone you love struggles with ketamine addiction, the first thing you should do is seek out a ketamine detox program that can help you safely withdraw from this drug. While detox is not a substitute for rehab, it is the first step on the continuum of care.

Inpatient and outpatient levels of ketamine addiction treatment are available. Inpatient programs are more intensive, while outpatient programs vary depending on the level of treatment you seek.

Partial hospitalization may be part of your treatment plan. This treatment setting offers patients the opportunity to participate in treatment 4-6 hours per day, at least 5 days a week while remaining at home.⁶

Intensive outpatient treatment involves meeting for at least 3 hours a day for a minimum of two days per week.⁶

Standard outpatient treatment is the least intensive option and involves meeting once or twice per week for an hour or two.⁶ This option is best if you have a strong support system at home and are highly motivated to quit using ketamine.

Inpatient treatment programs often will be strict and involve a structured, around-the-clock curriculum. Treatment planning for inpatient care must be tailored to your needs to be completely effective. Ongoing care is also necessary if you are seeking long-term recovery from ketamine addiction.⁷

According to the National Institute of Health, an estimated 10% of American adults struggle with a substance use disorder (SUD) during their lifetime. More than 75% report not receiving any form of addiction treatment.⁸ If you or someone you know has a ketamine addiction, treatment is available and easily accessible. Most ketamine rehab programs accept a wide range of insurance plans, and if you don’t have insurance, many offer sliding scale fees or payment plans to help ease the cost of treatment.

If you aren’t sure where to start when looking for a treatment program that best suits your needs, give our helpline a call at 1-800-429-7690. One of our rehab support specialists can help you find the right program for you.

Aftercare and Ongoing Support

Once you have completed a ketamine addiction treatment program, you will need ongoing care and support in your recovery. These relapse prevention options help you build upon the sober foundation you began in treatment. They also provide you with support and guidance as you transition back into your everyday life, which may include stressors and drug-using triggers. Aftercare for ketamine addiction may include:

12-Step programs, like Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
Step-down care in the form of outpatient treatment
Group therapy
Sober living homes
Behavioral counseling
Psychotherapy
Mental health treatment

Frequently Asked Questions About Ketamine Addiction

Is Ketamine Addictive?

Yes, when ketamine is misused or abused, it can lead to addiction as well as physical and psychological dependence.⁹

Are There Side Effects of Taking Ketamine?

Yes, there are side effects of using and misusing ketamine. They range from moderate to severe, depending on the level of use. Low-dose infusions are relatively free from side effects. However, heavy users and those who misuse this medication will experience potentially deadly side effects, such as overdose, dangerously slowed breathing, unconsciousness, and agitation.^9,10

What Will Happen if You Take Too Much Ketamine?

Taking too much ketamine can lead to an overdose. The signs of a ketamine overdose include:¹¹

Seizures
Stupor
Coma
Respiratory depression
Low blood pressure
Heart attack

How Do You Know if You Are Addicted to Ketamine?

Ketamine addiction has some significant warning signs. These include, but are not limited to:^3,4

Problems with relationships, school, or work due to ketamine use
Spending most of your time using or obtaining ketamine
Inability to control ketamine use
Intense ketamine cravings

What is Ketamine Therapy?

Ketamine therapy is a short-term intervention for treatment-resistant depression. Patients receive IV ketamine and experience symptom relief for between 3 and 14 days. The drug works quickly, and patients begin experiencing results within hours after treatment begins.¹²

Many pain management clinics will offer this treatment for acute and chronic pain. However, because this is a Schedule III drug, close medical supervision is required to ensure misuse does not occur.¹³

Ketamine Resources:

1. Bell, R. F., & Kalso, E. A. (2018, August 9). Ketamine for pain management. Pain reports.

2. Michigan Medicine. (2021, September 2). Ketamine Clinic.

3. Meisner MD, R. C. (2019, May 22). Ketamine for major depression: New tool, new questions. Harvard Health Publishing.

4. American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).

5. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, July 13). Drug misuse and addiction.

6. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020, May 25). Treatment settings.

7. National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021, September 3). Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction DrugFacts.

8. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2015, November 18). 10 percent of US adults have drug use disorder at some point in their lives. National Institutes of Health.

9. Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration. (2020, April). Ketamine.

10. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2019, November 18). Side effects mild, brief with single antidepressant dose of intravenous ketamine. National Institute of Mental Health.

11. Orhurhu VJ, Vashisht R, Claus LE, et al. Ketamine Toxicity. [Updated 2021 Jul 25]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2021 Jan-.

12. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2017). Ketamine: Exploring continuation-phase treatment for depression. Mayo Clinic.

13. Niesters M;Martini C;Dahan. (2017, February). Ketamine for chronic pain: Risks and Benefits. British journal of clinical pharmacology 77(2), 357-367.