Going through addiction recovery for ketamine use can be incredibly unpredictable, adding a layer of confusion and anxiety to an already difficult time – we want to help.
Understanding the ketamine withdrawal timeline means you’ll know what you can expect at each stage of detox and recovery, as well as what comes after, too. While recovery isn’t easy, it is entirely possible, and being aware of what happens can make it feel that bit less stressful.
In this blog, we’ll look at the common symptoms of withdrawal, the ketamine withdrawal timeline, and what treatment is available.
Yes, ketamine does have withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug after a period of frequent use or addiction.
As ketamine blocks the receptors responsible for communication between brain cells (NMDA receptors), withdrawal from ketamine specifically can have more psychological symptoms. However, there are still physical symptoms that can occur when going through withdrawal.
Ketamine withdrawal is what happens when you stop using the drug, and it gradually starts to leave your system.
Withdrawal is commonly associated with addiction, but you can actually experience it even if you aren’t addicted. Anyone who takes ketamine regularly, whether addicted or not, may face ketamine withdrawal symptoms when stopping use.
While there are common symptoms of withdrawal you can expect, everyone’s journey with recovery is unique to them. As such, you may not necessarily experience all the symptoms.
Ketamine withdrawal looks different for each person, but there are a few symptoms you can expect as the body adjusts to the drug leaving your system.
Psychological, physical, and behavioural symptoms are all common, though the psychological ones can be more common due to the effects ketamine has on the brain.
We’ll look at all three types of ketamine withdrawal symptoms below, so you know what withdrawal could look like for you.
Psychological symptoms are noticeable changes in your emotions or thoughts. For ketamine withdrawal, these can include:
Physical symptoms are the body’s way of telling you there’s something wrong. When it comes to ketamine withdrawal, these can look like:
If you notice intense pain in your bladder, incontinence, or a frequent and sudden urge to pee, speak to your GP, as these are signs of ketamine bladder.
Lastly, behavioural symptoms are the specific changes to how you act that withdrawal from ketamine can cause. You may notice the following:
Ketamine bladder is a condition affecting people who use ketamine frequently, causing serious, potentially irreversible harm to the bladder.
Symptoms can be debilitating, including a burning sensation when you wee, pain in the bladder or pelvic area, and incontinence. For some, total loss of bladder control means they’re unable to make it to the bathroom when they feel the urge to urinate.
As ketamine is flushed out through urine, frequent exposure to the drug can start to damage the bladder lining, resulting in scarring, as well as thickening and shrinking of the lining.
Left untreated, ketamine bladder can also start to impact the kidneys. As such, it’s important to seek medical attention if you suspect you might be experiencing the symptoms of ketamine bladder.
Symptoms of withdrawal can appear at different stages of your journey to recovery. So, what does a typical ketamine withdrawal timeline look like? Let’s take a look together.
It’s worth keeping in mind that your experience is unique to you. While withdrawal can generally follow a common pattern, it may look slightly different at certain points for you.
Withdrawal symptoms can occur almost as soon as you’ve stopped taking the drug. Symptoms at this stage of the ketamine withdrawal timeline are often mood-related, including:
As we move into days 1 to 7, you may start to notice more acute symptoms, meaning changes that develop suddenly but progress quite quickly.
During this stage, both physical and psychological changes can take effect. For many, the acute stage is actually the hardest part of the ketamine withdrawal timeline, with symptoms including:
By weeks 2 to 4, you’ll be reaching the final stages of the ketamine withdrawal timeline. It’s at this point that people generally start to notice they feel a bit better.
In fact, during this stage, you may even notice the following improvements:
While you may start to feel better here, a low mood and certain cravings may persist – don’t worry. You should notice an improvement in these, too, as you move through the timeline.
Once you get to a month without ketamine, you’ve entered the final stage of the ketamine withdrawal timeline, with symptoms commonly including:
However, just because this is the final stage, it doesn’t mean your recovery journey is over. Ongoing support from addiction experts is essential to avoid relapse in the months and years following recovery.
What symptoms you experience, their severity, and how long they last can all be influenced by a range of aspects. For example, regular high doses of ketamine can mean your withdrawal symptoms are more intense and last longer, as your body needs more time to adjust to not having the substance.
However, that’s not all, as other aspects that can impact how long your ketamine withdrawal lasts include:
Withdrawing from ketamine can be a lengthy, difficult process, but it’s entirely possible with the right support.
Rehabilitation puts you in the care of addiction recovery specialists who use proven methods to create an effective, personalised treatment plan. Plus, rehab will take you through every stage of the ketamine withdrawal timeline, offering support from start to finish and beyond.
With rehab, you’ll have 24/7 support from a team of therapists, psychiatrists, and recovery workers who’ll help you with:
We know leaving your home to enter rehab can be scary, but you’ll be in the best possible hands to treat ketamine addiction for good.
We don’t think anyone should have to face addiction withdrawal on their own, which is why we created our ketamine addiction rehab service.
Here at Gladstones Clinic, we’ve been supporting people on their journey to recovery for more than 20 years. With a team of professionals on hand, you’ll receive around-the-clock care that’s personalised to your specific, individual needs. We have locations across the UK to support you, no matter where you call home.
Reach out to our friendly team today to learn more about how we can help you. Call us on 0808 168 2433 or send an email to help@gladstonesclinic.com. We’re always available to answer any questions you may have.
Gladstones Clinic provides luxury, bespoke, and executive rehab to clients with the highest expectations. Contact us to discuss your needs.
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