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.
Also known by street names like Ket, K, and Special K, ketamine can cause cognitive impairments and severe bladder issues and is associated with various mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety.
However, addressing ketamine addiction isn’t always easy – especially as so many users are teens and young adults. 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.
Our experienced substance abuse rehab staff employ a range 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. Let us help you overcome ketamine addiction for good.
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.
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.
Detoxing from ketamine (removing all traces of the drug from your 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:
During detox, you might experience a range of uncomfortable physical and psychological symptoms; however, you will have access to round-the-clock treatment from medical professionals who may prescribe medications to ease this discomfort.
Primary care commences once you have 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.
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.
The cost of rebab for ketamine addiction can vary. Private residential rehab can cost anything from £2,500 to £4,000 per week, with a 4-week programme costing upwards of £10,000. Speak with your insurance provider to see if your rehab will be covered with insurance.
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:
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 getting help sooner rather than later.
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.
Absolutely! 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.
We are 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.
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.
Gladstones Clinic has a proven track record and more than 20 years’ experience in helping people recover from ketamine addiction.
