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Conditions We Treat

Ketamine Rehab Treatment

Written By Brian Davis
Reviewed By Tiffany Green
Medically Reviewed By Dr David Barker
Updated August 20, 2024

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.

Why Gladstones?

  • Over 20 years experience helping teenagers and adults achieve sobriety.
  • One of the few UK clinics accredited to provide residential ketamine rehab for teenagers.
  • Personalised approach combining psychiatric therapies (CBT, DBT, group counselling) with alternative therapies and holistic care.
  • Ongoing support through secondary, tertiary, and lifelong aftercare programmes.
  • Conveniently located in the Cotswolds, accessible from major UK cities.
Need help in battling ketamine addiction?

Gladstones Clinic has a proven track record and more than 20 years’ experience in helping people recover from ketamine addiction.

Signs You Need Help For Ketamine Addiction

Signs of ketamine addiction can present differently in different people – however, here are some signs that suggest it’s time to seek help:
  • Bladder issues due to ketamine use
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Memory loss
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Fatigue
  • Cravings for ketamine
  • Unable to stop taking ketamine despite negative consequences
  • Emotional instability (mood swings, outbursts, depression)
  • Memory problems
  • Dissociation
  • Lying about (or hiding) ketamine use
  • Financial difficulties due to ketamine use
  • Social withdrawal
  • Avoiding responsibilities (such as work or school)
  • Needing to take more ketamine to feel the same effects
  • Trying to stop taking ketamine but failing
  • Ketamine Group Therapy

    Gladstones Clinic Ketamine Rehab Programme

    Overview

    What happens in ketamine addiction therapy?

    Seeking treatment without delay can help mitigate some of the more serious and irreversible effects of ketamine misuse. Here’s what you can expect from ketamine addiction treatment at Gladstones Clinic.

    1. Addiction Assessment & Consultation

    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.

    2. Detoxification (Detox)

    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:

    • An acute phase lasting roughly 72 hours
    • An extended detox phase lasting for up to several week
    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.

    3. Primary Care

    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.

    4. Secondary Care, Tertiary Care, and Aftercare

    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.
    Comprehensive integrated treatments
    Teenage
    rehab
    Family therapy and counselling
    Industry-leading aftercare
    Substance abuse
    rehab
    Mental health disorder rehab
    Eating disorder
    rehab
    Comfortable en-suite rooms
    3 daily meals + refreshments
    Day care and residential rehab
    Intervention services
    High long-term recovery rate*

    Ketamine Rehab FAQs

    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:

    • Irreversible cognitive damage (including mood disorders and memory problems)
    • Chronic bladder inflammation
    • Pain when urinating
    • Kidney damage
    • Gastrointestinal issues
    • Insomnia
    • Irritability
    • Disorientation, confusion, and impaired judgment
    • Risk of death

    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.

    • Your mind is constantly preoccupied with the next opportunity to take ketamine
    • You plan your social life around occasions where ketamine will be accessible
    • Your ability to perform at school or work is hampered by ketamine abuse
    • You notice psychological changes such as heightened anxiety, depression, or memory loss
    • You notice a painful or burning sensation when passing urine, or constantly feel like you need to urinate

    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.

    Need help in battling ketamine addiction?

    Gladstones Clinic has a proven track record and more than 20 years’ experience in helping people recover from ketamine addiction.

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