Long-Term Side Effects of Ketamine Treatment

The Long-Term Side Effects of Ketamine Treatment: What You Should Know

The Risks of Chronic Ketamine Use on the Body and Mind

Ketamine therapy has gained popularity among those who suffer from major depressive disorder over the last decade or so. Currently, ketamine therapy is used as a tool in the fight against several mental health conditions, and many claim it has significant physical benefits.

Before ketamine therapy, this substance was considered a breakthrough medication for pain relief during the Vietnam War after initially being used as a tranquilizer for large animals. Regardless of the use, ketamine addiction was bred from the eventual recreational abuse of the drug as it gained popularity among the club and rave scenes. But what do we know about the long-term side effects of ketamine treatment?

This article explores the long-term implications of ketamine therapy and ketamine addiction, taking a look at the multiple forms of administration and intended results after the specific form of chronic ketamine abuse.

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The History of Ketamine Abuse

Ketamine use has become increasingly popular over the last several years—most notably as a form of mental health treatment used during ketamine infusion therapy. Before the surge in popularity as a remedy for mental health conditions, ketamine was mainly used as a sedative for animals during veterinary procedures and a prescription for humans for several conditions.

Eventually, ketamine was discovered as an effective treatment for chronic pain relief and depressive symptoms by the 1960s. However, by the time the 1970s rolled around, ketamine abuse began surging as the substance increased in popularity as a club drug. Fast forward to the late 1990s and early 2000s, and ketamine addiction was viewed as a rising problem among recreational drug users.

There are multiple driving forces behind the potential for ketamine use, making medical supervision during any specific type of ingestion critical. Let’s take a look at the various reasons one might engage in ketamine use and first break down the acute effects of each method.

The Multi-Purpose Psychadelic Disassociative: Effects of Ketamine In Various Settings

Ketamine for Pain Relief

The effects and intended results of medical use and illicit use manifest far different outcomes, depending on user intent. Let’s break down the various forms of administration before taking a look at the long-term side effects of ketamine treatment and abuse.

Ketamine for Pain Relief

One of the first major medical breakthroughs regarding ketamine for human consumption was as a remedy for pain relief. Initially, ketamine was used to treat wounded soldiers during the Vietnam War and was considered a significant success. Administration at this point was mainly through intravenous use.

As time progressed, ketamine was prescribed for alternative forms of pain relief, including a significant go-to for phantom pain for clients who experienced limb amputation. Many physicians still use ketamine for this purpose and other forms of chronic pain.

Ketamine As a Sedative

Another primary use for ketamine in high doses is as a sedative during surgery because of its disassociative effects. Although initially used during surgery for small to mid-sized animals, many medical professionals turn to ketamine for young adults during minor surgeries.

Ketamine As a Recreational Drug

Ketamine rose significantly in popularity during the early 2000s as a club drug during rave parties and jam band festivals. Because of the drug’s disassociative effects, many consider it to be a psychedelic, with larger doses leading to what’s known as a “K-Hole.” Short-term effects from recreational ketamine intoxication include:

  • Dizziness
  • Extreme disassociation
  • Hallucination
  • Paranoia
  • High blood pressure
  • Unconsciousness

Ketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression

Ketamine is used for treatment-resistant depression and other therapeutic benefits, distributed during sessions that entail what’s known as low-dose ketamine infusion. Administered in minimal dosage amounts, the short-term effects of ketamine aren’t nearly as intense, ultimately avoiding many of the intoxicating effects that would generally lead to chronic abuse.

Regardless of the reason for administration, ketamine abusers and long-term users run the risk of developing adverse effects as part of substance use disorder, including psychological dependence and severe withdrawal symptoms.

Although ketamine is used for several different reasons—many of which are intended to manifest positive effects—this still doesn’t erase the fact that the long-term effects of this dissociative anesthetic can have severe physical and psychological effects.

Regardless of your intended use and result, it’s essential to consider the following long-term risks of taking ketamine for frequent users.

Long-Term Effects of Taking Ketamine

Physical Impact of Long-Term Ketamine Use

Even with the most positive intentions, long-term ketamine use has been known to cause adverse physical effects in addition to psychological side effects.

Physical Impact of Long-Term Ketamine Use

Extended ketamine drug use creates a laundering list of potential long-term effects that range from minimal to severe. Possible long-term effects of prolonged ketamine use include the following physical symptoms:

  • Vision changes make simple tasks like driving difficult.
  • Continued use over time leads to severe organ damage, most specifically on the heart, bladder, and kidneys. Once the liver and kidneys are involved, significant digestive and urinary tract damage is sustained, leading to long-term effects.
  • Chronic ketamine use also leads to bladder inflammation, leading to difficulty urinating, and pelvic pain because of ulcerative colitis.
  • Additional challenges include damage to other internal organs, respiratory issues, and increased heart rate.

Struggling with Long-Term Psychological Issues

Long-term psychological challenges included as a result of ketamine use include:

  • Auditory hallucinations
  • Blurred vision
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Altered perception
  • Cognitive deficits
  • Cognitive impairments
  • Disassociative effects
  • Major depression

If you’ve been experiencing withdrawal symptoms related to extended ketamine abuse, South Shores Detox can help with a comprehensive regimen consisting of the following forms of treatment.

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Addiction Treatment for Ketamine Misuse

Whether you use ketamine troches for pain or psychological relief as part of legalized ketamine therapy, you probably have several questions regarding how effective the pain relief lasts and how to overcome the subsequent withdrawal symptoms.

Pain relief experienced as a result of ketamine therapy typically only lasts between 2 and 4 weeks until an additional therapy session is required for continued pain relief. Despite the supervision received from healthcare professionals, addiction will still manifest after a certain period.

Options for Therapy Regarding Ketamine Abuse

Neurofeedback - Therapy for Ketamine Abuse

At South Shores Detox, we offer several therapeutic options that help clients overcome the adverse effects of long-term ketamine abuse. Some of our go-to remedies include:

  • Individual therapy
  • Family therapy
  • Neurofeedback
  • Biofeedback
  • Holistic treatment programs
  • Medication management
  • Anger management
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy
  • Dialectical behavior therapy

If you’re struggling with ketamine abuse or addiction as a result of either recreational use or therapeutic use, South Shores Detox offers an experienced team of professionals who are compassionate about helping clients enter recovery.

With multiple care levels available, we can cater to clients with varying schedules and needs, whether you’re prepared to commit to a whole inpatient experience or prefer outpatient services because of an intensive schedule outside of treatment.

For more information about our ketamine recovery program, including insurance questions and personalized treatment plans, contact a member of our admissions team today.