Ketamine, a dissociative drug that alters mood, perception, and consciousness, is a highly addictive substance, particularly when it is used frequently and in large doses.
Despite its growing popularity in specific party scenes like nightclubs, raves, and festivals, it’s crucial to understand that ketamine use carries severe risks.
These risks are particularly pronounced when someone uses the drug frequently or compulsively, leading to potential health and social consequences.
What is ketamine?
Ketamine is a powerful drug with a complex reputation – valued by some for its medical potential but misused by many for its dissociative, mind-altering effects.
The drug was first developed in the 1960s as a rapid-acting anaesthetic and is still used in Canadian treatment centres and veterinary clinics today.
In recent years, ketamine has been researched for its potential to treat mental health disorders like severe depression, specific symptoms of schizophrenia, and even to support those in addiction recovery.
In Ontario specifically, some addiction rehab centres now offer medically supervised ketamine therapy for depression, always under strict guidelines.
The Health Canada approval for these treatments is limited, and they are only safe when provided in a controlled, clinical setting.
Outside of this environment, ketamine is often used recreationally under street names like Special K, and its misuse can lead to dangerous psychological dependence.
While ketamine is not physically addictive in the same way as opioids or alcohol, its powerful dissociative effects can make it habit-forming.
Individuals may begin to rely on it to escape emotional pain, leading to a cycle of avoidance and increased use. Long-term misuse can result in memory problems, bladder damage, depression, and anxiety.
How to get help
At Centres for Health and Healing, we understand the unique challenges of ketamine addiction.
Our recovery programs combine medical detox, evidence-based therapies, and holistic care to address not only the substance use but also the underlying emotional and psychological factors driving it, including trauma and other types of adversity.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with ketamine use and would like further guidance and support, there are some things you need to know, including the type of help available here in Canada, which will be covered in this article.
Before we begin, if you would like to speak with someone in confidence about your concerns or need additional resources about ketamine addiction treatment in Canada, remember that support is always available.
Contact our professional team today, who can help guide you through the process.
We’re here to help.
Contact us today for a no-obligation conversation with one of our professionals.
Ketamine addiction in Canada: What you need to know
If ketamine is starting to consume your life or you are worried about how much you depend on the drug to function or feel normal, it’s essential to know right off the bat that you’re not alone.
Many people struggle with ketamine addiction, and it doesn’t signal a sign of failure or weakness.
Those who abuse ketamine are often trying to cope with various challenges such as trauma, burnout, chronic stress and other co-occurring conditions and use the substance as a way of escaping, numbing or blocking out their worries.
If any of this sounds familiar, you may find the following information helpful.
Effective treatment options for ketamine addiction in Canada
Although ketamine abuse can be very concerning for individuals and their families, it’s important to remember that ketamine addiction is treatable, and many people have successfully recovered from it.
There are many specialist addiction rehab centres in Canada (ours included) that provide personalized, compassionate, evidence-based care for those struggling with ketamine use.
Since treatment is usually tailored to the individual, a typical recovery plan for ketamine addiction in Canada often looks different from person to person.
However, here’s what you can typically expect at Centres for Health and Healing:
- Medically supervised detox – Our Ontario detox programs provide a compassionate, client-centric approach designed to meet each person’s unique needs. Our team understands that no two recovery journeys are the same, which is why we create individualized care plans that honour your personal goals and circumstances.
- Individual therapy – This includes Cognitive Behavioural Therapy to help you identify unhelpful thought and behaviour patterns that may cause or worsen ketamine use. Other emotional support is available from our clinical team, including tailored mental health treatment.
- Trauma-informed care – Helps address any underlying trauma that may exacerbate substance use. Our multidisciplinary team adopts a trauma-informed approach in all our programs, ensuring you feel safe and supported as you navigate your unique recovery journey.
- Holistic therapies– Our team embodies a holistic approach to addiction recovery, which includes mind, body, and spirit healing. We understand the role the body plays in recovery and incorporate somatic practices like yoga, breathwork, and meditation into our addiction programs.
- Dual diagnosis support – For individuals with more than one mental health disorder (e.g., ketamine addiction and bipolar disorder), we provide dual diagnosis treatment to help address both conditions concurrently.
Stopping ketamine use is more than just quitting the substance; it also involves addressing the root causes of ketamine addiction and building healthy coping skills, which can help you recognize your triggers and avoid relapse.
Signs and symptoms of ketamine addiction
Recognizing the symptoms of ketamine addiction can be the first crucial step to getting the help and support you need to recover.
Here are some signs of ketamine use to be aware of:
- Using ketamine more regularly than intended
- Neglecting responsibilities at work, school or home
- Craving the substance or being preoccupied with when you can next take the drug
- Experiencing confusion, memory loss, or persistent dissociation
- Requiring higher doses of the drug to get the desired effect (tolerance)
- Experiencing psychological withdrawal symptoms such as depression or anxiety when not taking the drug
If any of these symptoms sound familiar, it’s vital you seek professional support as soon as you can.
Early intervention is crucial and can help you avoid some of the health risks associated with chronic ketamine use, such as cognitive decline, bladder damage, and long-term mental health issues.
Aftercare and long-term support
Completing treatment is only the beginning of a lifelong recovery journey toward sobriety and wellness.
You’ll find that most ketamine addiction treatment centres in Canada offer aftercare programs to support individuals as they navigate life after recovery.
At Centres for Health and Healing, we provide comprehensive aftercare programs to help you stay sober and fully supported in your everyday life. This can include:
- Regular therapy
- Peer groups
- Check-ins
- Community engagement
Our aftercare and support programs offer various advantages to clients in recovery from ketamine addiction and other dependencies, including:
- Reduced relapse rates
- Sustained mental health
- Accountability
- More robust support networks
Ketamine addiction in Canada (a growing concern)
In Canada, ketamine is classified as a Schedule I drug. This means it is illegal to possess, distribute or use outside of medical or clinical settings.
Despite this, recreational use of ketamine is on the rise, particularly among younger Canadians in urban neighbourhoods.
As the drug becomes more accessible through club scenes and online markets, ketamine addiction is fast becoming more prevalent.
Yet, like with most addictions, many avoid seeking help due to stigma, shame, or a lack of education around the dangers and health risks.
How addictive is ketamine?
As mentioned earlier, ketamine is different to some other drugs in that it doesn’t usually cause users to become physically dependent.
However, the drug is highly psychologically addictive, where individuals may quickly develop a tolerance and need higher doses and more frequent use to achieve the same effect they did at the beginning.
This can cause a dangerous cycle of dependence where individuals become reliant on the drug to help them cope with anxiety, emotional pain, or trauma.
Next steps
If you are worried about your (or a loved one’s) ketamine use and would like to speak to a professional in confidence, contact our experienced team today, who will gladly assist.
You are not alone in these struggles. Help and support are available. We are here and ready to guide you on your unique path to sobriety and wellness.