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Ketamine is a medication used by physicians and veterinarians. It is primarily used for helping induce and maintain anesthesia. However, according to the DEA, its sedative effects mean it is also popular among those who use illegal drugs. 1
Those who take ketamine may wonder how long Ketamine stays in your system after it is ingested. This timeline can vary depending on several factors. This article will take a closer look at ketamine, how long it lingers in the body, and what you can do if you become addicted.
Ketamine is known as a dissociative anesthetic. In addition to being used as an anesthetic, it is also a popular street drug. This substance distorts perceptions to make people feel disconnected from pain and their environment.
The drug comes in a clear liquid and, when used legally, ketamine infusion is done through an IV. It is also available at pharmacies as a ketamine nasal spray.
On the street, ketamine for addiction comes in a white or off-white powder form. It can be smoked, snorted, or poured into drinks. 2 It can also be injected with an IV needle for ketamine infusion. Ketamine for depression is also under review. Currently, the drug is being studied for its ability to relieve severe depression. It is said to interact with chemical receptors in the brain for mood-boosting results.
However, there is a thin line between ketamine for depression and ketamine for addiction.
There are many street names for ketamine for addiction, including:
According to 2015 statistics, 3 million people aged twelve or over have used ketamine at least once in their lifetime.3 It is especially popular with teenagers and young adults. According to the Drug Abuse Warning Network, 74% of ketamine-related emergency room visits in the year 2000 involved patients 12- 25 years old. Nearly 3% of high school seniors used the drug at least once in the past year. 4
Because ketamine is popular with the younger generation, it is often used by teens and young adults at raves and dance clubs.
Ketamine for addiction is a common problem in the United States and all over the world. In addition to becoming addicted to the pleasant sensation it produces, people who use ketamine build a tolerance, meaning they need more of the drug to get the same effects.
Ketamine is safe when used in prescribed doses, but when it is misused on the street, it can be quite dangerous.
The drug causes those using it to have distorted perceptions. This distortion impairs judgment and can lead someone to engage in dangerous situations where they can harm themselves and those around them. It also puts them at high risk for sexual assault.
Ketamine can also cause a variety of physical and mental conditions including respiratory problems, high blood pressure, amnesia, delirium, depression, and impaired motor functions.
Ketamine can be even more dangerous when used with other drugs. Around 373 drugs can cause harmful interactions with ketamine, 197 which are categorized as major, 174 of which are categorized as moderate, and 2 of which are considered minor.
Ketamine became a Schedule III non-narcotic substance under the Controlled Substance Act in 1999. This means it puts people at a lower risk of addiction as compared to schedule 1 and 2 drugs but at a higher risk as compared to schedule 4 and 5 drugs. It is best classified as a Hallucinogen drug. 5
Lately, ketamine has been studied for its potential to relieve severe depression. It temporarily takes over a chemical receptor in the brain working to boost mood. However, this effect can also be dangerous as it can bring on addictive tendencies. Doctors that prescribe the substance must be careful to ensure patients follow the proper dosage recommendations.
Ketamine has shown to be more effective than other antidepressants because it works quicker. It produces effects as soon as it leaves the body because it prompts connections between brain cells to regrow causing a boost in mood.
Ketamine for depression is often used in nasal spray or infusion form.
Those who use ketamine find its effects pleasurable at first. But if ketamine for addiction sets in, it is anything but fun.
If ketamine is abused, it can result in the following side effects:
Ketamine’s effects can last for five to thirty minutes.
As with any addictive drug, ketamine is dangerous because it causes withdrawal symptoms. These are unpleasant symptoms that occur when the drug is not in the person’s system. They can only be relieved by using the drug again. Therefore, it is common for patients to relapse during withdrawal.
Ketamine withdrawal symptoms include the following:
There is no one answer to the question, how long does ketamine stay in your system? Rather, it varies from person to person and how long Ketamine stays in your system is dependent on a variety of factors as follows.
How long does ketamine stay in your system? Studies have shown that ketamine can be found in hair up to 4 months after a single dose is taken. 6
There are many ways to treat ketamine addiction, but experts say rehab may be the most effective. A rehab clinic will start patients with an assisted detox providing medications to reduce symptoms as well as supervision to ensure they don’t relapse.
After the patient gets the toxic substances out of their system, they move on to therapy. Therapists work with patients to determine the most effective treatments. A variety of options may be integrated, but the aim will be to get to the root of the problem and come up with healthy coping mechanisms to replace addictive tendencies.
Once the patient completes the rehab program, they are provided with outpatient care. During this phase, they are given the support they need to adjust and maintain sobriety.
The PAC Program is a rehab facility that checks off all the boxes but goes a step further when it comes to helping patients achieve and maintain sobriety.
When it comes to treating our patients, we take a three-phase approach.
We start with a residential phase in which clients receive the therapy they need to overcome addiction and move on with their lives. Our transitional phase involves thirty hours of therapy a week while clients are gradually reintroduced to the ‘real world’. In the final phase, clients must fully transition to sobriety knowing they have the support they need when they need it.
Ketamine and other drugs lead to addiction which can destroy relationships, cause financial and legal problems and diminish the quality of life. Reach out before it’s too late. The PAC Program will set you on a path to increased health and happiness.
If you or a loved one needs help, please call us at
623-523-4748 and our team at Blueprints For Recovery in Arizona will help.
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