Ketamine Detox

Safely Detox From Ketamine at Icarus in New Mexico

Looking for safe and effective ketamine detox is the first step in the right direction – a step that takes tremendous courage. Detoxing under the guidance of experienced medical professionals is the best way to end dependence on the dissociative anesthetic; quitting cold turkey can cause a host of dangerous withdrawal symptoms.

Icarus Behavioral Health in Albuquerque, New Mexico, can provide a supportive environment for starting the recovery process. Our Joint Commission-accredited recovery center offers clients a medical detox process that will address physical withdrawal symptoms and psychological issues while stopping ketamine use.

We invite you to continue reading to learn more about ketamine addiction and the detox process. We’ll also offer fresh hope for a successful recovery journey after you detox from ketamine.

The Ketamine Withdrawal and Detox Process

The half-life of ketamine is about 2.5 hours in most adults. That means that it takes roughly 2.5 hours for the body’s ketamine concentration to reduce by half; most of the dissociative and sedative effects clear away from the body within 5 to 6 hours. Although a residual amount remains in the body for longer than that time frame, acute withdrawal symptoms set in with a few hours of the last dose. It’s a critical time that requires professional supervision.

Please note that individual differences, including size, metabolism, and overall health, can impact the ketamine withdrawal process.

Ketamine Withdrawal Timeline

How long might the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms last? Our ketamine withdrawal timeline will give you a good idea of what to expect during the first three weeks of ketamine detox:

First 6 to 24 Hours After Last Dose of Ketamine

The first signs of ketamine withdrawal and detox start. Some report feeling anxious or restless, with strong cravings for drug use. Mild fatigue may also begin around this time.

Days 2 to 6 After Last Ketamine Use

Symptoms of ketamine withdrawal peak during this time. Many say they feel nausea and muscle pain physically. Mentally, they describe feeling irritable and may have severe mood swings that last for a few days.

Days 7 to 14 After Last Dose of Ketamine

Physical symptoms may have started to improve. However, psychological symptoms may persist. Many express that they have trouble concentrating on completing even the simplest of tasks.

Days 14 to 21 of the Ketamine Detox Process

Most symptoms have eased by now, but some symptoms of ketamine withdrawal, especially somewhat less-intense cravings, continue. This phase requires ongoing therapy or support groups to avoid a relapse.

Why the Ketamine Detox Process Is Safest in a Rehab Center

Ketamine detox is safest in a medically supervised detoxification center. With an inpatient ketamine detox program, qualified staff can support clients as they cope with the complex physical and psychological symptoms.

If severe withdrawal symptoms become overwhelming, our clinical team can write a prescription to help soothe the symptoms. Relief is possible, and professionals at Icarus New Mexico will manage any ketamine withdrawal symptoms promptly.

Common Ketamine Withdrawal Symptoms

A successful detox is the key to moving away from ketamine addiction and into recovery. But first, clients need to work through the ketamine withdrawal symptoms.

Physical Withdrawal Symptoms of Ketamine

Ending ketamine addiction often means facing the following physical symptoms of withdrawal:

• Fatigue, lack of energy, constant tiredness
• Sweating excessively
• Chills
• Severe headaches
• Stomach cramps or nausea
• Tremors, shaking, or trembling hands
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Rapid breathing and heartbeat
• Sleep disruptions, insomnia

Psychological Symptoms of Ketamine Withdrawal

Psychological symptoms may also be part of the detox and ketamine withdrawal process:

• Intense cravings
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Frustration, irritability, anger
• Confusion
• Psychosis
• Cognitive impairments

What Is the Nature of Ketamine as a Drug?

The DEA’s Ketamine Fact Sheet explains that ketamine, a legal anesthesia used in surgical settings, has grown in popularity as an illicit drug. People who abuse it as a “club drug” enjoy the dissociative and hallucinogenic effects.

However, those effects can lead to psychological dependence on the drug because it helps them escape from their reality.

Ketamine as a street drug often comes from a surprising source – it’s stolen from veterinary offices. In some cases, it’s smuggled from Mexico by cartels.

Either way, there’s no way to guarantee that you’re taking the medical grade ketamine that you’d get for mild sedation for a dental or outpatient surgical procedure.

What are the Risks of Long-term Ketamine Abuse?

Using ketamine without a doctor’s supervision can cause several severe physical and psychological issues:

• Bladder and Urinary Tract Damage: Chronic ketamine abuse can cause cystitis, a condition that leads to intense bladder pain and frequent urination. It can also eventually cause permanent damage to the urinary tract.
• Cognitive Impairment: Physical dependence on ketamine can result in memory loss, difficulties with concentration, and learning impairments.
• Psychological Dependence: The dissociative effects can create extremely powerful psychological cravings for the drug. It also causes people to use larger doses or start taking ketamine more often.
• Respiratory and Heart Risks: Taking high doses of ketamine over time can lead to respiratory issues, a heightened heart rate, and dangerous blood pressure.

Because these physical and mental health conditions can endanger their well-being, it’s crucial that an addicted person stop taking ketamine in a safe and controlled environment.

Ketamine Addiction and Abuse Statistics

Substance abuse research conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that ketamine is particularly used in clubs and at parties. They found that, while ketamine can be a deadly drug, 0.1% of Americans aged 12 and up self-reported use in the past year.

The age group with the most usage was young adults aged 18-25, who used at a rate of 0.2%. While it is not as broadly used as marijuana or methamphetamines, the potential of ketamine addiction is of concern.

Matthew Perry: A Cautionary Tale About Taking Ketamine

Matthew Perry, a well-loved actor who played Chandler Bing on Friends, struggled with addictive drugs for decades. He passed away tragically in October 2023, a victim of his substance abuse. After years of struggling with stimulants and other addictive drugs, Perry tried ketamine infusion therapy to ease his depression, the underlying cause of his addiction, under medical supervision. The controversial therapy offered him hope. However, as the ongoing treatment costs increased, Perry made a deadly choice.

Reports indicate that Perry began buying ketamine from illicit sources instead of continuing to receive legitimate medical care. An assistant without medical training was injecting him up to 8 times daily with the illicit ketamine, not a medical team. Perry sadly drowned in his hot tub on October 28, 2023.

How much ketamine was in his system? The ketamine levels in his body were equal to the doses administered as surgical anesthesia.

Treatment Options for Ketamine Abuse

After undergoing detox, Icarus New Mexico clients are ready to start engaging in customized therapies to confront the reasons why they developed ketamine dependence.

Evidence-Based Therapies in a Safe and Supportive Environment

Once the ketamine withdrawal symptoms have eased up, you will be ready for help from our professional therapists and counselors. Our team will help you uncover any contributing factors to the ketamine addiction. We’ll also help you learn coping skills to manage challenges without spiraling into mood swings that lead back to ketamine use.

Treating Co-occurring Disorders

Many people find that the cause of their ketamine addiction is a hidden mental health diagnosis. We commonly discover that people have depression, anxiety, PTSD, or other similar conditions they have masked by using ketamine.

Once we have uncovered the dual diagnosis, we treat both the ketamine addiction and the mental health issue at the same time. This holistic approach ensures clients receive the help they need for they symptoms of both diseases.

Aftercare Planning to Prevent Relapse

After the ketamine withdrawal symptoms have faded away and you’ve completed your treatment plan, you will be ready to integrate your recovery tools with your real life. We’ll help you develop an aftercare plan to help you stay on track during ongoing recovery. This guide helps you and your loved ones know what to do if any ketamine withdrawal symptoms make a reappearance or if you have a slip-up.

Using Your Insurance Benefits to Start a Healthier Life

Did you know that you can use your group or private health insurance to detox from ketamine? The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) includes ketamine addiction in the Hallucinogen Use Disorder category, along with similar hallucinogenic substances like PCP.

Because it is a diagnosable mental health condition, your insurance benefits will cover many of the associated costs, including:

• Ketamine detox services
• Prescriptions to help manage ketamine withdrawal symptoms
• Counseling and other medically necessary therapies

Call our admissions line if you’re hoping to detox from ketamine. We’ll discuss a medical detox plan and recovery services, then call your insurer to get all the necessary pre-approvals. Our goal will be to help you get the services you need for the smallest cost possible.

Call Icarus New Mexico for Professional Ketamine Detox Support

It’s time to regain control of your life, but you don’t have to go it alone. With our help, you will have support at every step of the ketamine detox and recovery journey.

Our team of medical professionals will be here for you as you manage the physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, attend individual and group therapy, and make a relapse prevention plan for lasting recovery.

If you have questions or concerns about how you’ll detox from ketamine, feel free to call us – it’s free and confidential. Professional treatment options are just a quick phone call away – let’s connect today.