The Concerning Rise in Ketamine Addiction

The landscape of substance abuse has seen a shift in recent years within the UK with one drug in particular seeing a concerning rise in recreational use and subsequent addiction: Ketamine.

Once known as a veterinary tranquiliser or anaesthetic, ketamine’s rising presence on party scenes across the UK has grown, leading to a silently growing epidemic that is now seeing devasting impacts for many individuals.

At New Leaf Recovery, we make it our mission to support every individual and their families that are struggling with ketamine addiction, ensuring that each client receives the best rehab treatment possible for a brighter future.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic, working by disrupting the communications between the brain and the body. This can lead to feelings of detachment, euphoria and sometimes even hallucinations. Those that have used the drug have often described it as an ‘out of body’ type experience or entering a ‘K-hole’ when consuming higher doses. A k-hole is a terrifying and profound dissociative state.

Medically, ketamine is still used as a means of pain relief and anaesthesia in monitored environments. It can also be given in controlled settings for those with severe depression.

Why is Ketamine So Addictive?

Although this substance had an initial reputation as a ‘soft’ drug, it does carry significant risk of addiction when used recreationally. It can lead to a growing physical tolerance and psychological dependency for those who use the substance often enough.

Physical Tolerance & Withdrawal

When any substance is used regularly, the body will quickly develop a tolerance to it, meaning that more of it is required to achieve the same result. Ketamine is no different. When that regular use stops, this can lead to intense withdrawal symptoms, including cravings, anxiety, depression, insomnia and tremors, making it very difficult for users to quit.

This is where New Leaf Recovery can provide support with medically supervised detoxification, helping clients work through the stages of withdrawal safely and avoid temptations of the substance.

Psychological Dependency

The initial rush of euphoria and dissociation is what users chase, using it as a coping mechanism and a means of escaping stress, anxiety or underlying mental health issues. The craving to escape these emotional pressures can lead to daily use for many.

At New Leaf Recovery, we work with individuals, helping them to understand and effectively process their emotions and find new ways of coping with them that do not require substance use. Not only does this provide strong foundational techniques for daily life post-rehab but helps individuals to maintain long-term sobriety.

The ‘K-Hole’ Experience

When using ketamine regularly at higher doses, this can also lead to what is known as a ‘k-hole’ experience. This is an extreme dissociative state for users that can lead to dangerous situations. Often, when using a substance to achieve this state, addiction has taken hold and can have devasting impacts on physical, mental and emotional well-being.

At New Leaf Recovery, we work with clients to find these ‘highs’ through other means in life, whether it be with friends, family or finding a new passion. This helps to re-wire the brains reward system, achieving the sense of euphoria or enjoyment from alternative activities.

Why The Rise in Ketamine Addiction in the UK?

There are numerous factors that have contributed to the growing popularity and concerning rise in ketamine addiction across the UK, including:

• Availability: The availability of ketamine has increased in recent years through online and social channels, making it far easier to obtain than before.
• Perception of ‘Safety’: There is a dangerous misconception that ketamine is ‘safe’ to use and is less addictive than other illicit drugs. This misconception leads to experimentation with the drug, growing into regular use.
• Integration with the Party Scene: The presence of ketamine across the club and festival scenes UK wide has made it feel more ‘normal’ amongst younger demographics than ever before.
• Mental Health Crisis: For many, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing mental health struggles, leading some individuals to turn to ketamine as a form of self-medication. This gave users a temporary sense of relief from anxiety, depression and trauma.
• Media & Cultural References: Although subtle, there has been an increase in the references across music and social media channels that has contributed to the visibility and curiosity of younger audiences.

The rising presence and availability of ketamine across multiple platforms and demographics UK wide has led to this silent growth in ketamine use over the last few years. With more people experimenting with the drug and finding its effects so alluring, the rate of ketamine addiction has also seen a concerning rise.

New Leaf Recovery is a private rehabilitation centre that supports those struggling with a range of substances, including ketamine addiction. Whether for yourself or a loved one, why not reach out to our team today for a confidential chat about how we can help you.

The Devastating Impacts

Sadly, the devasting impacts of ketamine addiction reach far beyond just mental health. It can lead to cognitive impairment and physical conditions for the bladder and urinary tract.

• ‘K Bladder’: This can be one of the most severe physical side effects of ketamine consumption, causing damage to the bladder and urinary tract. With chronic use, individuals may be left in excruciating pain, have incontinence issues and in the most severe cases, require a bladder removal.
• Cognitive Impairment: The long term use of ketamine can lead to significant memory problems and cognitive decline that lead to difficulties in learning and concentration.
• Deterioration of Mental Health: The use of ketamine can worsen existing conditions such as depression and anxiety. For vulnerable individuals, it can also induce psychosis.

Seeking early help and intervention for any form addiction is vital. With such severe and devasting consequences associated with ketamine addiction, it is more important than ever to seek advice and help for yourself or a loved one as quickly as possible. New Leaf Recovery is here to support you and your family members in recovery, helping to improve your physical and mental health through effective rehabilitation.

How New Leaf Recovery Can Support Ketamine Addiction Rehabilitation

New Leaf Recovery is a private addiction rehabilitation centre based in Birmingham with over a decade of experience in providing detoxification and rehabilitation for all forms of drugs and alcohol addiction.

Our team understand the complex nature of ketamine addiction. Because of this, we provide an evidence based approach to help clients find a healthier future outside of addiction.

We provide residential rehabilitation from 7 days through to 28 days, helping clients through the process of detoxification and getting them started on an effective rehabilitation programme that helps find new methods of coping whilst also learning to process emotions effectively.

Detoxification

Our detoxification process is a medically supervised programme that provides clients a safe and supported space in which they can work through detox and withdrawal. With 24/7 support on-site, our team helps each client through the most challenging times of withdrawal before clients begin to engage in rehabilitation therapies.

Rehabilitation Therapies

We offer a comprehensive range of rehabilitation therapies at New Leaf across all of our lengths of stay. We help clients to form a strong foundation in recovery, working through proven therapies to find new ways of processing emotions, understanding the root of their addictions or past traumas and take accountability for their future.

Our therapies include:

• Meditation
• Movement Therapy
• Art Therapy
• 1-2-1 & Group Therapy
• Counselling
• Health & Well-Being
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
• Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)

We also help clients who stay with us for 28 days get started on the 12 Steps Programme. This is a well-established pathway that helps individuals work through stages of self-reflection and accountability, guiding them through sobriety both in rehab and outside of it.  

Aftercare & Relapse Support

Recovery doesn’t stop when you leave New Leaf. We provide Aftercare sessions that are designed to provide additional support for client post-rehabilitation. These sessions can help with relapse prevention, continuing to build on the foundations and mechanisms developed whilst in rehabilitation with us.

If you would like to seek support for yourself or a loved one for any form of addiction, including ketamine, reach out to our team today for a confidential conversation. With flexible lengths of stay and programmes that work for everyone, you can feel reassured that your rehabilitation is in safe hands.

Take a step towards your healthier future today.