Why Do People Take Ketamine? Top 5 Reasons Explained

Ketamine, originally developed as an anaesthetic, is a commonly abused drug in the UK. There are various reasons why people take ketamine, whether it be for medicinal purposes or recreational use.

In this blog post, we’ll be exploring the reasons why people take ketamine, and shedding light on the potential dangers associated with ketamine abuse. Read on to learn more about ketamine, and the top five reasons people use the drug.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a strong medication used in hospitals and medical settings as an anaesthetic for surgeries and pain relief.

It is a dissociative anaesthetic that can put you in a dream-like state. Some other effects of ketamine include feelings of detachment, memory loss, confusion and altered perception (for example, visual or auditory hallucinations).

Likewise, ketamine can cause memory loss, increased heart rate, high blood pressure, and long-term effects on mental health.

Frequent ketamine use can lead to you becoming psychologically dependent on the drug. This can have long-term effects on your physical and mental health. Always follow medical advice and avoid using it for non-medical purposes to stay safe and protect your well-being.

Reasons Why People Take Ketamine

Understanding the reasons behind ketamine use is key when it comes to understanding addiction. Whether it’s for managing chronic pain, succumbing to peer pressure, self-medication, experimentation, or falling into the trap of ketamine dependence, seeking help is crucial. Here are some of the main reasons why people take ketamine:

1 – To Manage Chronic Pain

One of the legitimate medical uses of ketamine is as an anaesthetic and pain management tool. Its role in pain relief is as an ‘anti-allodynic’, ‘anti-hyperalgesic’, and ‘tolerance-protective’ compound. In medical settings, it can assist with cancer pain, acute severe pain, neuropathic pain, and more. It can also help relieve pain after operations.

However, it’s possible to misuse ketamine. Taking ketamine without medical authorisation, mixing ketamine with other drugs or alcohol or taking higher doses of ketamine than prescribed is referred to as ketamine abuse.

Higher doses of ketamine can have a numbing effect, providing temporary relief from persistent pain. Unfortunately, this temporary relief may lead to a psychological dependence – you may get used to the effects of ketamine and find it difficult to stop taking it.

2 – Peer Pressure and Misinformation

Another reason that people may take ketamine is peer pressure. Peer pressure can prompt people to experiment with the drug, especially in social settings where others take ketamine as a recreational substance.

Many people have the false belief that ketamine is a non-addictive substance and is 100% safe. However, ketamine abuse can be dangerous. It’s important to conduct thorough research and seek medical advice when taking any medication.

The lack of accurate information about the potential side effects and risks can contribute to people trying ketamine without a full understanding of its impact on mental and physical health.

3 – Self-Medication

Many people turn to ketamine as a form of self-medication for physical and mental health issues. For example, many people take ketamine as a form of treatment for depression or anxiety and other mental health disorders.

The dissociative effects of the drug may provide a temporary escape from emotional distress. This can lead to the urge to take more ketamine. Using ketamine to self-medicate for mental health concerns can be dangerous and worsen underlying issues, potentially leading to a vicious cycle of dependence.

If you are taking ketamine to relieve mental health problems, it’s important that you speak with a mental health professional. Ketamine will not treat your issue; instead, it will mask the problem and potentially lead to it worsening over time.

4 – Experimentation

Another common reason why people try ketamine is to experiment. The drug has a reputation for dissociative effects, which can lead to curiosity about the drug. This, in turn, can lead to people trying the drug to test the effects of ketamine.

People may also experiment and mix ketamine with other drugs or alcohol to test the effects. However, this can be dangerous – and increase the risk of a ketamine overdose.

Unfortunately, the experimentation can quickly escalate, and increase the risk of developing an addiction.

5 – Ketamine Dependence

The more you take ketamine, the higher the risk of developing an addiction. This is one of the main reasons people take ketamine – because they have developed a dependence.

Taking high doses of ketamine frequently and long-term ketamine abuse can result in physical and psychological dependence. This means you may feel unable to function without the drug, and experience ketamine withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop.

If you are struggling to stop taking ketamine and break the cycle of ketamine dependence, we recommend that you seek professional treatment and support for ketamine addiction. This is something we can help with at Help4Addiction.

Seek Help for Ketamine Addiction

If you or someone you know is struggling with ketamine addiction, our team at Help4Addiction is here to provide free and immediate advice, connecting you with the most suitable rehab providers.

Whether you’re looking for inpatient rehab treatment in a medical setting, outpatient options, or even online rehab from the comfort of your own home, trust our team to select the best, most suitable options for you to help you overcome your psychological or physical dependence.

Rehab begins with detoxification. A ketamine detox addresses the physical aspect of addiction, freeing your body from the addiction. During this stage, you may experience ketamine withdrawal symptoms.

Upon detoxing from cocaine, you may proceed to ketamine rehab. Therapy can help you to understand the root causes of your addiction, and teach you effective coping strategies. It can build your confidence, and equip you with the skills and willpower to overcome your addiction for good.

Don’t hesitate to reach out for free and immediate advice, taking the first step towards a healthier, drug-free life. It’s never too late to reclaim control and begin your recovery journey.