Ketamine, originally an anaesthetic, now known as a party drug with mild hallucinogenic effects, is seeing a worrying resurgence with ever-increasing recreational abuse statistics, especially among individuals ages 15 to 25. Ketamine, also known by street names like Ket, Bump, and Green, can cause cognitive impairments and severe bladder issues and is associated with various mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
One of the main challenges of addressing ketamine abuse lies in the fact that many of its users are so young. Ignorance of its long-term harm, stigma and uncertainty about rehab, and worries about the financial implications of residential rehab treatment all contribute to a delay in seeking treatment, compounding the physical and psychological harm of untreated ketamine misuse.
As one of the few addiction rehab centres in the south of England with the necessary resources to treat teenagers, Gladstones Clinic is in the ideal position to help individuals overcome ketamine misuse. Our experienced substance abuse rehab staff understand the complexities of dealing with addiction in young people and employ a variety of proven modalities to help break the physical dependency on the drug before moving on to comprehensive care focused on developing long-term coping strategies and resilience.
Gladstones Clinic has a proven track record and more than 20 years’ experience in helping people recover from ketamine addiction.
Gladstones Clinic offers a 4-week intensive residential ketamine addiction rehab and treatment programme at our 12-bedroom clinic in the Cotswolds.
Our holistic approach to treatment combines modern addiction treatment methodologies with proven alternative therapies to provide treatment that is safe, effective, and lasting.
Our clinic is located in a large and well-appointed modern building. It features 12 private rooms, each with a private en-suite bathroom.
All shared spaces, including therapy, meeting, and living rooms, are light, clean, airy, and comfortable. We provide everything you need for a comfortable recovery, including three delicious meals and snacks daily.
Residential ketamine addiction detox typically lasts for around 3 days. During detox, our patients are assisted by an experienced addiction team that provides supportive care.
Ketamine detox isn’t considered life-threatening; however, ketamine withdrawal might cause psychological symptoms such as severe anxiety and agitation. Our team can greatly reduce the impact of these symptoms.
We believe that effective substance abuse rehab treatment hinges on the ability to uncover and address the root causes of each patient’s addiction.
We create tailored treatment strategies that include modern psychiatric treatments such as CBT and DBT, group counselling, and various alternative therapies to provide targeted and personalised therapy.
Fully recovering from ketamine and other substance addictions can take weeks, months, or years, depending on the individual. We’ve made provisions for all recovery timelines.
Our industry-leading secondary, tertiary, and aftercare programmes mean lifelong access to the Gladstones community and our resources. Our community regularly meets online and in various locations around the southern UK.
In recent years, Gladstones Clinic has noticed an uptick in the number of patients we treat for ketamine abuse. While we are incredibly proud of the work our team of addiction specialists has done in helping our patients overcome their addiction, it must be said that seeking treatment without delay can help mitigate some of the more serious and irreversible effects of ketamine misuse.
More often than not, substance abuse in teenagers and young adults is exacerbated by several personal and environmental factors. Taking these into account is critical to long-term recovery. Before admission, we conduct an in-depth assessment of our patients’ drug abuse and physical health profile, diagnose any co-occurring mental health conditions, and evaluate other factors that would affect their tailored treatment schedule.
Removing all symptoms of ketamine from the system is the first medical step towards rehab and recovery. While each individual will experience detox and withdrawal symptoms differently based on various personal factors, ketamine detox is typically associated with two phases: an acute phase lasting roughly 72 hours and an extended detox phase lasting for up to several weeks. During detox, the patient might experience a range of uncomfortable physical and psychological symptoms; however, they have access to round-the-clock treatment from medical professionals who may prescribe medications to ease this discomfort.
Primary care commences once the patient has gone through the worst of the withdrawal symptoms and is stable and comfortable enough. Primary care at Gladstones is tailored to each patient to ensure that all aspects of their triggers and addiction are comprehensively addressed, enabling them to fully understand all the factors that contribute to their cravings and develop actionable coping measures and strategies. This phase of care usually comprises a combination of psychiatric treatments, including CBT, DBT, and group therapy, alongside holistic therapies aimed at healing the whole being.
For many, access to ongoing support and care is critical to a full and permanent recovery from substance abuse, especially in cases where the patient is struggling with co-occurring mental health disorders. Gladstones Clinic offers secondary and tertiary care programmes designed to help our patients rejoin their communities with the best possible footing, providing ongoing therapy, outreach, and opportunities to join healthy social groups. Our aftercare programme is free and accessible to all former Gladstones patients for life, meaning you’ll never be alone in the dark again.
Recent years have seen a surge in ketamine’s popularity among teenagers and young adults. This is especially problematic when you consider the potential physical harm of long-term ketamine abuse and the fact that there is a severe shortage of residential rehab facilities that cater to the unique needs of teenagers.
Gladstones Clinic is one of only a handful of residential addiction clinics in the UK with Care Quality Commission accreditation to provide dedicated teenage ketamine addiction rehab services. Our staff is experienced in dealing with the nuances of teenage addiction therapy, and over the course of the last 12 years, have helped dozens of the most vulnerable in our society overcome addiction and return to healthy and positive outlooks on life.
Left untreated, teenage addiction can have life-altering effects. If your teen or one that you know is struggling with ketamine or other substance addiction, please contact Gladstones Clinic for a private and obligation-free discussion of how we can help.
As a party drug, the increase in ketamine’s recreational use is largely attributed to its unique psychoactive properties. It produces a dissociative state, often described as an ‘out-of-body’ experience, coupled with hallucinations and a sense of detachment from reality. Many users find these effects enticing and exciting, especially in the club or party scene. This escapism is particularly appealing to those who struggle with stress, anxiety, and the pressures of daily life.
While the effects of ketamine are strong, they are not long-lived. Its rapid onset and short duration of effects encourage repeated use, leading to a cycle of abuse. Many users report taking ketamine, either swallowed in a capsule, snorted as a powder, or injected, multiple times per party session. In the worst-case scenario, this rapid and repeated use of ketamine can induce a ketamine hangover at the end of the session, prompting the user to take even more.
While ketamine doesn’t form a powerful physical dependency the way opioids do, its dissociative effects are powerful and easily attract the same crowd, weekend after weekend, party after party. In the long run, this regularly repeated abuse can lead to irreversible cognitive damage, including mood disorders and memory problems, as well as chronic bladder inflammation and pain when urinating.
If you or a loved one have experienced any of the warning signs of ketamine abuse below, please consider seeking professional help from addiction specialists.
As addiction rehab specialists who have seen over and over again the harm that substance abuse causes—physical, psychological, social, and emotional—we strongly recommend against giving addiction any sort of chance to take hold. If you are in doubt or worried that you might be developing a ketamine dependency, seeking professional help now can help avoid severe and life-altering complications down the line.
Gladstones Clinic regularly publishes blog articles and supporting materials to help clarify and demystify the world of substance abuse, addiction, and rehab. Our articles are thoroughly researched, cited, and medically reviewed by a licensed physician to guarantee accuracy.
Ketamine rehab takes 4 weeks in most residential rehab clinics, including Gladstones Clinic. During these four weeks, patients will first go through detox (usually lasting around three days) to remove all ketamine metabolites from the system, then transition to primary care. This includes one-on-one therapies, group therapies, and alternative therapies aimed at promoting holistic health.
Depending on each patient’s unique needs, they may join their clinic’s secondary, tertiary, or aftercare programmes, all of which aim to support long-term sobriety and well-being. Participation in these programmes could last anywhere from a few months to years.
A 4-week private residential rehab stay in the UK typically costs between £2,500 and £4,000 per week. This includes your accommodation, therapies and treatments, and meals, and may or may not include medication costs.
Please contact Gladstone Clinic for more pricing information or to apply for admission to our Ketamine Rehab Treatment Programme.
Recreational ketamine use can lead to serious and irreversible physical harm if allowed to continue. You can consult our article on The Biological Effects of Ketamine Abuse for more detailed information on the immediate, short-, and long-term effects of ketamine abuse.
Substance abuse of any kind is complex, and the reality is that there isn’t much that anyone without specialist knowledge and experience can do themselves. If you are concerned about someone’s ketamine use, the best you can do is try to convince them to seek professional help. This can be challenging, as many individuals struggling with substance abuse tend to deny or downplay the seriousness of their conditions.
Gladstones Clinic offers specialist intervention services that help families and friends organise well-planned and structured interventions. We understand the many pitfalls of interventions and know how to navigate the heightened tension and anxieties during these stressful, but necessary, events.
The general medical consensus is that ketamine addiction treatment typically does not require pharmaceutical intervention. Unlike opioids or alcohol, ketamine does not create the same level of physical dependence or present life-threatening withdrawal symptoms.
In severe cases or when patients are suffering from acute withdrawal symptoms, the attending physician might prescribe medications to ease the intensity of specific symptoms; however, this is evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Common examples of this include headaches, muscle aches, nausea, and/or restlessness.
Preventing relapse is of utmost importance to anyone who has just completed rehab. Luckily, there are numerous support groups and programmes that help individuals maintain sobriety in the long term, and most residential treatment clinics will offer some sort of aftercare programme and/or secondary and tertiary treatment.
Aftercare for ketamine abuse usually involves regularly scheduled checkups, access to continued therapy if needed, as well as in-person or online meetings with support groups. Secondary and tertiary care for substance abuse, including ketamine, incorporates a wide range of rehab services that support long-term sobriety.
Gladstones’ commitment to our permanent recovery is evident in our aftercare policy. We offer all former patients lifelong access to the Gladstones community and many of our recovery resources. Our communities regularly meet at hubs in major cities in the south, and we also host weekly online group sessions.
Gladstones Clinic has a proven track record and more than 20 years’ experience in helping people recover from ketamine addiction.
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