The reality is that there remains an opioid epidemic in America. Also, alcohol use disorder (AUD) is still one of the largest contributors to fatalities in the United States. What’s more, cannabis is also heavy in the discussion because of all of the states legalizing its recreational use. With all of this going on, it is easy to forget that there are many other dangerous substances out there causing serious harm. This includes ketamine, which can lead to many serious issues, including the potential of experiencing a k hole.
Better Understanding Ketamine
Ketamine was created with noble medicinal intentions. According to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), “Born out of the need for a better anesthetic, researchers created ketamine in 1962. While the drug showed promise in early human testing, it gave many people spacy, out-of-body-like experiences. Despite its dissociative properties—side effects that would later haunt ketamine—it proved a reliable anesthetic.”
Those “spacy, out-of-body-like experiences” are what lead many people into what we will later discuss is known as a k hole. But, to start, what exactly is ketamine?
According to the peer-reviewed journal, BJPsych Open, “Ketamine is an N-methyl-d-Aspartate receptor agonist with well-established safety and efficacy as an analgesic and anesthetic. Since ketamine was developed in 1964, largely as a replacement for phencyclidine, it has been used primarily in veterinary and pediatric anesthesia, but interest in recent years has burgeoned in psychiatry after reports of its rapid-acting antidepressant effects.” However, while ketamine may have some medicinal purposes, its recreational use can be very dangerous.
The Dangers of Ketamine
Ketamine can have some long-lasting side effects. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, “Chronic ketamine abuse in [the U.S. and the U.K.] was associated with long-term cognitive impairment, mood disorders, psychotic and dissociative symptoms, suggesting that prolonged ketamine use may indeed negatively affect brain structure and functioning. An alternative explanation is that primary depressive, psychotic, or dissociative symptoms are reasons for ketamine self-medication rather than long-term side effects. It should be noted that recreational dosages are much higher than clinical dosages, both per dose and cumulatively.”
It is also true that ketamine addiction can take a while to become fully established. This is why being able to spot the signs and symptoms of ketamine addiction can be so important.
The Signs and Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction
Now, it is important to understand that the signs and symptoms of ketamine addiction are going to vary somewhat based on the situation and the individual. However, there are some more universal signs that can indicate the presence of ketamine addiction. The following are just a few of those universal signs and symptoms:
- Losing interest in activities and hobbies once enjoyed
- Feeling anxious, nervous, or overly “stressed out”
- No longer caring about appearance or personal hygiene
- Engaging in risky behaviors
- Exhibiting excessive mood swings
- Isolating away from family and close friends
- Struggling with sleep cycles, including sleeping too much and not sleeping enough (hypersomnia and insomnia)
- Loss of appetite
- Having feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness, and helplessness (depression)
- Committing self-harm or harming others
- Having suicidal ideations
Unfortunately, people often minimize the signs and symptoms of addiction (including ketamine addiction). However, as one can see, these symptoms can be extremely serious. This is why reaching out for professional help sooner rather than later as signs appear is critical. Doing so could mean the difference between experiencing short-term side effects and long-term consequences.
What Is a K Hole?
A k hole is a state that one experiences when they have taken an excessive amount of ketamine. It often gives the individual feelings of dissociation from their mind and body.
A k hole can also cause an individual to experience feelings of “tripping” and having audible and visual hallucinations. The state of being in a k hole can be very dangerous because it can leave the individual incapable of making safe and sound decisions.
How Best to Recover After Experiencing a K Hole
The good news is there are many ways to recover after one has experienced a k hole or has a ketamine addiction. The best way to recover is to use multiple modalities.
These modalities may include “traditional” psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). It may also include experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy and art therapy, as well as holistic healing methods like yoga therapy and mindfulness meditation. The key is to find the right combination that works for the individual.
Long-Term Success With The Phoenix Recovery Center
Here at The Phoenix Recovery Center, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive with a focus on the future.
Ketamine can rob an individual and their loved ones of the life they deserve, but it doesn’t have to. Recovery is possible. We can help.
Ketamine is a complicated substance. It has both medicinal and recreational uses, which can cause addiction. It can also lead to something called a k hole, which is both unpleasant and dangerous. The good news is there are many effective means, methods, and modalities to help one recover from ketamine misuse and addiction. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of mental illness, addiction, or both, we can help get you on the positive path toward long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about ketamine addiction and how best to recover, please check out our website or call us today at (801) 438-3185.
