Ketamine, often known as ‘Special K’, is not only a popular drug in various club scenes like raves and festivals, but also an experimental treatment for mental health conditions such as PTSD and depression.
While ketamine shows much promise in treatment settings, its frequent misuse can lead to severe health complications.
Prolonged use can quickly spiral into addiction and cause serious mental health issues, including delusions, panic attacks, paranoia, and anxiety.
At our luxury rehab centre in Spain, we’re witnessing a growing number of individuals seeking treatment and support for ketamine addiction, many of whom started using the drug to either self-medicate emotional pain or experimentally.
It’s vital you understand the risks and dangers associated with chronic ketamine misuse so that you can avoid getting into the trap of abuse, which can prevent further complications to your physical and emotional well-being.
Understanding the special K trap
If you’ve ever wondered what is meant by the ‘Special K’ trap, you are not alone.
Many individuals who misuse ketamine have fallen into a deceptive cycle of profound relief quickly followed by gradual dependence.
This is where the short-term benefits of ketamine, like euphoria, emotional and physical relief and a sense of drowsiness or floating, lead to long-term harm, especially when taken frequently or without medical supervision.
Inherently, the ‘trap’ describes how ketamine impacts the brain and body, creating a vicious cycle that may look something like this:
Initial feelings of euphoria and relief
Individuals who misuse ketamine often experience side effects that can feel helpful in the beginning.
This can include euphoria, emotional numbness, floating sensations, and experiencing a dream-like state, offering an escape from the symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, or PTSD.
Individuals may also experience other side effects of ketamine, including:
- Out of body sensations
- Hallucinations
- New insights into the world and universe
Many people abuse ketamine as a way to self-medicate from the effects of stress, trauma, or other emotional issues they would much rather forget about.
Ketamine initially appears to provide relief, but its long-term damage is anything but beneficial.
Tolerance builds quickly
Another important thing you need to know about the Special K trap is just how quickly individuals build tolerance to the drug.
The human brain adjusts fast to substances, meaning the same amount of ketamine produces weaker or less intense effects the more you take it.
As a result, ketamine users often increase their dosage or frequency to experience the same high they did in the beginning, leading to dependency over time.
Dependence increases
Once individuals develop a tolerance to ketamine, psychological dependence increases, particularly for those who abuse the drug to escape emotional pain or discomfort.
As dependence grows, many users begin to need or rely on ketamine to function or to feel ‘normal.’
Mental and physical side effects
With increased dependence comes various side effects. These may include:
- Memory problems
- Mood swings
- Cognitive fog
- Withdrawal
Unfortunately, the very symptoms individuals attempt to escape or numb with ketamine come back stronger and more potent, causing many long-term complications such as bladder and urinary damage, cognitive impairment, and mental health risks.
Breaking the cycle feels impossible
Once ketamine addiction develops, it can feel impossible to stop using the drug.
Many people who stop using ketamine experience withdrawal-like symptoms, including emotional instability, severe cravings and agitation.
It is common for ketamine users to relapse after a period of abstinence as they have come to depend on the drug for emotional regulation, among other effects.
Why it’s a trap
Unlike other substances like alcohol or opioids, ketamine is a deceptive drug – many individuals don’t realise they’ve become dependent on it until their physical and emotional well-being is severely impacted.
Ketamine doesn’t produce the same level of intense physical withdrawal like some other substances, making it that much easier to overlook its addictive potential.
Certain individuals are at higher risk of falling into the Special K trap than others, such as:
- Individuals struggling with depression, anxiety or trauma
- Anyone who seeks emotional relief or escape from everyday life
- Individuals who misuse ketamine outside of a medical setting
If you feel trapped in a cycle of ketamine misuse, you are not alone, and recovery is possible.
Early intervention is key.
So, if you recognise the signs of ketamine misuse in yourself or someone you love, remember, it’s vital you seek the support of a professional. Taking action now can make a significant difference in the recovery process.
Complications
As mentioned, chronic misuse of ketamine can cause various complications to your physical and mental well-being.
For instance, it can distort your perceptions, mood, and state of consciousness, creating a sense of detachment from your body and surroundings, often referred to as a ‘dissociative state.’
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the drug’s mind-altering impact can lead to chronic misuse and psychological dependence.
Ketamine may not be as physically addictive as other substances like alcohol or stimulants, but its psychological grip can be incredibly profound, making recovery more challenging.
To help you understand the risks of Special K addiction, it’s essential to explore how ketamine affects the brain, body, and overall well-being.
How ketamine affects the brain
Chronic ketamine misuse can have a detrimental impact on brain functioning, causing issues such as memory loss, disorientation, loss of motor skills, and psychosis.
The comedown many people experience after taking ketamine can be profoundly unpleasant, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, severe mood swings, and other changes to emotional or mental well-being.
How ketamine affects the body
As well as brain changes, ketamine can also affect the body, leading to various health issues.
Ketamine is primarily a dissociative drug, causing individuals to feel detached or separated from their body or surroundings.
When taken regularly, this can cause severe damage to various parts of the body, particularly the bladder.
Ketamine bladder syndrome
Ketamine bladder syndrome is a condition that develops as a result of chronic ketamine use and is characterised by severe bladder damage and discomfort.
Frequent ketamine use affects the lining of the bladder, causing it to shrink.
Experts say this is caused by tiny molecules of ketamine in the urine that inflame and irritate the bladder wall, leading to bladder shrinkage, thickened walls, and occasionally kidney issues.
Other health problems associated with long-term ketamine use can include abnormal kidney and liver function, and nasal damage if the drug is continuously snorted.
Symptoms of ketamine addiction
There are many physical and behavioural signs of ketamine addiction to be aware of. These include the following:
Physical
- Hallucinations
- Paranoia
- Slurred speech
- Sniffing or snorting
- Disorientation or lack of coordination
- Elevated pulse
Behavioural
- Anxiety
- Mood swings
- Low attention span
- Secretive behaviours
- Disappearing without a reason
- Difficulty speaking
- Erratic behaviour
- Changes in friendships or loss of friends
Other signs of ketamine addiction to be aware of include:
- Constantly being late for work or school
- Job loss
- Frequently borrowing money from friends and loved ones
- Stealing money to fund ketamine use
Treatment options: How we can help
Recovery from ketamine or Special K addiction requires a multifaceted, comprehensive approach, which is what we offer at our rehab centre in Spain to clients from all over the world.
Here’s what you can expect from your ketamine addiction treatment programme at Camino Recovery.
Medical detox
Treatment often begins with ketamine detox, where your body is cleansed from ketamine and other toxins.
This is a first essential step in the recovery phase and can help minimise withdrawal symptoms, preparing you for the next stage of treatment.
At Camino Recovery, we provide a fully supervised medical detox in a safe and supportive environment.
Throughout your detox, you’ll be taken care of by our medical staff who will ensure your safety and manage any complications or changing needs you may have.
Residential treatment
For individuals who require a higher level of care to help them recover from ketamine addiction, residential treatment, sometimes called inpatient treatment, is often needed.
Our inpatient treatment programmes include a combination of evidence-based therapies and experiential approaches alongside medical care, such as:
- Individual therapy
- Trauma-informed treatment such as EMDR
- Group therapy
- Family support
- Aftercare programmes
Experiential approaches are also incorporated as part of an integrated recovery programme, which may involve:
- Mindfulness meditation
- Art therapy
- Equine therapy
- Holistic and wellness programmes
- Relapse prevention
Continuing care
We also provide a comprehensive continuing care programme to help you manage life after treatment.
This ongoing care and support can help you address any challenges that may arise after you return home, such as relationships, work, triggers, or other stressors, allowing you to rebuild resilience, self-confidence, and stay accountable.
Each client that completes their inpatient treatment programme at Camino Recovery receives free continuing aftercare and support, which includes:
- Comprehensive support and planning
- Free access to outpatient services for up to one year (one morning a week)
- Access to our bi-weekly alums online group
- Continuous availability of our renowned family support programme
Next steps
If you would like additional help and support for ketamine addiction or you are thinking of travelling to Spain for treatment, contact our professional team today.
We offer comprehensive ketamine addiction treatment in a safe, peaceful, confidential setting surrounded by nature and year-round warm climates.
Contact our experienced team today for further support and information.
We are here to gently guide you out of the trap of ketamine addiction and into a life that is fulfilling, purposeful and substance-free.
