Not everything in this life is worth trying. And drugs are one of those things. But how do you explain it to young people, who at parties among themselves lose control and start using psychoactive substances? One of the most readily available drugs is ketamine. It can be purchased from unscrupulous doctors or drug dealers for relatively little money. However, you will have to pay a much higher price for its use – your health. In this article we will tell you about ketamine, how it affects the lives of thousands of people in the United States, how to realize that you have become addicted to this substance and what steps you should take to return to normal life.
What is ketamine and why is it dangerous?
The main legitimate use of ketamine is anesthesia for serious operations or injuries. This property is actively used in surgery and veterinary medicine. It can save from pain shock, but it has a side effect: it causes dissociative states, in which a person feels detached from his body. This is why ketamine is often misused for recreational purposes.
Like any other psychoactive substance, ketamine is addictive, harmful to health and destroys social ties. The earlier a person decides to get treatment, the less negative consequences for his or her life. It is important to seek professional help from ketamine addiction rehab in a timely manner. Below we will tell you by what signs you can determine that this drug has taken the first place in your life or the life of your loved one.
How do I realize that I have become addicted to ketamine?
After the first few doses, it is quite difficult to determine whether a person is abusing substances or not. But over time, his behavior changes, and he himself changes.
Here are some of the main signs by which you can realize that a person is using ketamine:
- denial of responsibilities. In any drug addict, over time, thoughts begin to be reduced to solving one question – where to get the next dose. So it is with people with ketamine addiction: they are not interested in studies, work or household duties;
- problems with money. This follows from the previous sign of addiction. You have to pay money for ketamine, so when it runs out, the addict starts looking for it from friends and acquaintances, sells off his things, may commit theft;
- sudden mood swings. Ketamine euphoria due to the sedative effect of the drug is replaced by depression and fatigue. Even a minute ago, a person could rejoice in unusual sensations, but then changes abruptly;
- inadequate behavior. Ketamine can make a person uncontrollable. In an altered state, he can do the most unpredictable things, posing a danger to himself and others;
- cognitive impairment. Ketamine affects the brain, in particular, worsens memory, does not allow you to focus on a single thought, prevents normal learning;
- external changes. Determining the presence of addiction can be determined by dilated pupils, incomprehensible speech, impaired coordination of movement.
The presence of any of these signs is a reason to pay close attention to your friend or loved one. Upcoming treatment does not need to be afraid. The danger is the time that will be spent on harming your body and mind.
How to deal with it?
At some point, a person may realize that ketamine abuse is very harmful to his health. At this stage, he or she may think that he or she is able to cope with addiction on his or her own. But as practice shows, such a struggle usually ends in relapse – qualified help of doctors is required. Why is it much more effective?
Here are just a few reasons to turn to rehab:
- withdrawal symptoms. They begin to manifest themselves already on the first day after withdrawal from ketamine. This condition may be accompanied by increased anxiety, restlessness, insomnia, depression. In the conditions of the clinic, the doctor can select a set of drugs that get rid of all these symptoms;
- constant desire to use. Treatment in rehab centers is built in such a way as to teach patients to cope with triggers on their own, understand the cause of addiction and become stronger than the circumstances. Relapse prevention is especially aided by inpatient recovery, where patients do not have access to the substance or socialization with addicts who are not trying to kick their addiction;
- mental health issues. Ketamine acts on the brain and can cause the development of serious mental disorders. An experienced doctor can timely prescribe adequate treatment so that the disease does not progress and a person can live normally.
In conclusion, we note that it is never too late to seek help. If having used ketamine once a person has a desire to use this substance again, it is already a powerful signal that help is needed. It is good to have an attentive person who cares.