Ketamine - Treatment for Habitual Users

Treatment for Habitual Users

Users of ketamine develop a toleranceA condition in which higher and higher doses of a drug are needed to produce the original effect or high experienced. to the drug over time. Higher doses increase the likelihood and severity of "K-Hole" experiences. The psychological dependenceThe belief that a person needs to take a certain substance in order to function, whether that person really does or not. associated with heavy ketamine use can be quite strong. Continued use of ketamine over extended periods of time can result in marked personality changes in the user.

Long-time ketamine users who want to stop taking the drug usually experience withdrawal symptoms as they begin gradually cutting back on the amount of the drug being taken until it is discontinued entirely. Symptoms of withdrawal include amnesia, slurred speech, difficulty concentrating, and a craving for the drug. Habitual users are likely to benefit from drug treatment programs that include counseling and psychotherapy. Through the help of a trained therapist, psychotherapy uses a variety of techniques to improve a patient's outlook on life.