Does Ketamine Have Withdrawal Symptoms?

Does Ketamine Have Withdrawal Symptoms?

Ketamine is a strong anesthetic that has been approved for use in humans as well as animals. About 90% of ketamine sold legally is intended for veterinary use. It is commonly used to address acute, post-surgical pain. Ketamine is a powerful drug and has such significant potential for abuse, so it is classified as a controlled substance recommended for limited use.

Ketamine is produced in liquid form or as a white powder that is often snorted or smoked with marijuana or tobacco products. In some cities in New Jersey, such as Paterson, Camden, Newark, Freehold, and New Brunswick it has reportedly been injected intramuscularly.


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At high doses, ketamine can cause delirium, amnesia, impaired motor function, high blood pressure, depression, and potentially fatal respiratory problems. Low-dose ketamine use can result in impaired attention, learning and memory.

Like other drugs, it is a central nervous system depressant. It is also highly addictive. Despite its abuse potential, the FDA has approved low-dose ketamine therapy for treatment-resistant depression. This is an option for patients who have not benefitted from other anti-depressants on the market.

What Is Ketamine Withdrawal and How Does It Happen?

Ketamine use can swiftly lead to a psychological dependency on the drug. As tolerance to Ketamine increases, higher doses at a higher frequency is needed to achieve the same high. This leads to addiction. Withdrawal symptoms appear when ketamine use is stopped abruptly.

Ketamine, like other drugs of abuse, alters receptors in the brain, resulting in withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of psychological withdrawal might be harmful. Intense depression is perhaps the most hazardous, as it can lead to an increased risk of suicide.

Withdrawal symptoms:

Ketamine withdrawal symptoms are mostly psychological. Physical withdrawal symptoms have been described by some chronic users, but they have not been scientifically validated. The following are the most prevalent Ketamine withdrawal symptoms:

  • Agitation
  • Psychosis is characterized by delusions and hallucinations.
  • Motor skills deterioration
  • Rage
  • Nausea
  • Respiratory and heart functioning deteriorates
  • Insomnia
  • Shakes
  • Hearing loss is a common problem.
  • Fatigue
  • Impairment of cognition

The user will become emotionally unstable during withdrawal and may need to be separated to protect others. For a safer and more regulated Ketamine withdrawal and detox procedure, professional guidance is highly recommended.

Ketamine Detox is Not Easy

Not only do physical withdrawal symptoms need to be addressed, addressing psychological symptoms is a major part to detox treatment. Physical symptoms include stomach cramping, abdominal discomfort, muscle/joint pain, night sweats, tremors, persistent headaches, and general feelings of discomfort, which are similar to those of severe flu.

The following are the most prevalent psychological symptoms of ketamine withdrawal:

  • Irritability and agitation
  • Mood swings – extreme and uncontrollable
  • Impairment of motor function
  • Insomnia and other sleep-related problems, such as nightmares that don’t go away
  • Uncontrollable fury and anger, which can result in violent outbursts
  • Impaired cognition
  • Confusion
  • If left untreated, hallucinations and delusions can progress to psychosis.

Withdrawal Timeframe

Ketamine withdrawal might take anywhere from 72 hours to several weeks. It isn’t usually life-threatening, but it can be rather unpleasant. Symptoms usually appear between 24 and 72 hours following the last use of Ketamine. The number of drugs in the system, their tolerance level, how long they’ve been using the substance, and whether they’ve used other drugs all influence how long it lasts.

The good news is that there are plenty of facilities for ketamine detox and address ketamine treatment.

Timeline for Ketamine Withdrawal

  • 1–3 days
    Symptoms of acute withdrawal usually appear within 24 hours of stopping Ketamine use. Shakes, exhaustion, insomnia, wrath, despair, hallucinations, delusions, tremors, double vision, nausea, rapid breathing, and hearing loss are some of the signs and symptoms.
  • Days 4 through 14
    Withdrawal symptoms can last up to two weeks, but they start to fade after that.
  • Days 15 and onwards
    The majority of withdrawal symptoms subside. The nerve cell damage in the brain could be long-lasting, and certain psychological conditions may persist.

Detox from Ketamine

Detoxification is the first step in the recovery process, as it flushes the chemical from the body in a safe manner. The detox process can be quite unpleasant because ketamine withdrawal is heavy on the psychological aspect. As the person goes through the psychological discomforts of detox, intense cravings may emerge.

Ketamine withdrawal symptoms can be alleviated with the use of certain medications.
During the early stages of Ketamine detox, the user’s respiratory function and heart rate have to be constantly monitored. The importance of medical monitoring cannot be over-emphasized.

Summary

Ketamine treatment in New Jersey is available in all corners of the state – Somerset county, Essex county, Middlesex county, Monmouth county, Hunterdon county, Morris county, Ocean county, Burlington county, etc. A plethora of caring addiction treatment specialists and different modalities of care, including outpatient detox are available for an addiction to ketamine. Most facilities work hard to help a person addicted to ketamine. Addiction is a chronic disease that requires long-term treatment. There is no quick fix.

Seek direct assistance from such experts to overcome issues related to ketamine withdrawals.

 

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Is Methadone Addictive?

Is Methadone Addictive?

Methadone is a category of medication called opioids. During World War II, German medics invented methadone and was it was used by doctors in the USA to control acute pain. Methadone has other uses as well. It so happens that it is effective in treating individuals addicted to opioid painkillers such as Oxycododne, Oxycontin, Percocet, Tramadol, etc. It is also effective in treating an addiction to other opiates such as heroin and fentanyl. Buprenorphine, approved later than methadone by the FDA to treat opioid addiction, is an alternative to methadone.


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Methadone is a long-acting full opioid agonist and it is very effective in addressing opioid withdrawal symptoms and cravings. It has been used for decades to treat an addiction to opioids. Methadone is taken orally and is available as a liquid, a tablet as well as a powder. New Jersey has many Methadone treatment programs and so does every state in the country.

Methadone is only part of the treatment regimen for addiction to opiates. Methadone treatment needs to be supported with counseling and therapy so that the individual afflicted with the disease of addiction can effect lifestyle changes that enable long-term sobriety.

It is important to realize that methadone is not a cure. Methadone itself is addictive and, over time, people can develop tolerance to methadone which means that more of the substance will be needed to achieve the same effect. Even though methadone is safer than other drugs, your doctor should keep a careful eye on you while you’re on it. It’s possible that taking it will lead to addiction or misuse.

What does Methadone Work?

Methadone relieves pain by altering the way your brain and nervous system respond to it. It takes longer for it to take action than other strong painkillers like morphine. If you’re in an amount of discomfort due to injuries, illness, or long-term sickness, your doctor may prescribe methadone.

It also stops medications like codeine, heroin, hydrocodone, morphine, and oxycodone from giving you a high. It can provide a comparable sensation while also preventing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. This is referred to as replacement therapy.

Methadone should be only one part of your overall treatment approach. It’s not a panacea for addiction. There are many addiction treatment centers in New Jersey that can provide methadone or buprenorphine to treat opioid addiction. Please contact the methadone treatment center in New Jersey to learn more about utilizing methadone to treat addiction.

Who shouldn’t use Methadone?

If used as directed, methadone is a secure and reliable drug. Nonetheless, this may not be the best therapy option for everyone suffering from chronic pain or opioid addiction. People who should not use the drug include those who:

  • Are sensitive to methadone
  • Have lung problems or difficulty breathing
  • If you have a blockage in your stomach or intestines, it’s time to seek medical help.
  • To ensure that methadone treatment is safe, those who plan to use it should tell their doctors if they have any of the following conditions.
  • Problems with the heart
  • Seizures, brain tumors, or head traumas
  • Kidney or liver disease
  • Gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid problems
  • Issues with urination

Is Methadone Addictive?

Methadone is a powerful narcotic medicine with a high potential for addiction. As it was created to reduce the effects of narcotics like morphine and heroin, it does have a few sedative qualities an individual can become intoxicated when delivered in high doses or through an IV.

Individuals who misuse methadone for the intoxicating effects or legitimate medical reasons may develop a tolerance and reliance on the drug after a long period of use. People who have previously been addicted to opioids are at a higher risk of becoming addicted to methadone.

The following are some of the symptoms of methadone addiction:

  • Taking higher-than-recommended doses of methadone
  • Prioritizing methadone use ahead of all other responsibilities
  • Experiencing cravings or experiencing withdrawal symptoms

Methadone Side Effects

Methadone has a variety of adverse effects that range from mild to severe. The mild, more common side effects of methadone that usually last a few days or weeks and include symptoms like:

  • Restlessness
  • Stomach ache
  • Vertigo
  • Vomiting
  • Slowed respiration
  • Sweating profusely
  • Diarrheal
  • Sexual issues
  • Weight gain
  • Fluctuations in appetite
  • Changes in sleeping habits
  • Headache
  • Dry mouth
  • Flushed appearance
  • Mood swings
  • Problems with vision
  • Dizziness

Click here to read on: How Methadone can Affect Your Emotional Health?

Withdrawal from Methadone :

If someone develops a physical dependence or addiction to methadone, they may experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop or lower their dosing quickly. Because methadone is a long-acting opioid that can stay in the bloodstream for up to 36 hours, methadone withdrawal symptoms take longer to appear than those caused by other opioids. As a result, the effects can take a long time to wear off for withdrawal symptoms to occur.

The following are some of the signs and symptoms of methadone detox:

  • Watery eyes
  • Stuffy nose
  • Chills or fever
  • Panting
  • Tremors or shaking
  • Muscle pain
  • Diarrhea
  • Loss of Appetite
  • Vertigo
  • Vomiting
  • Anxiety
  • Mood swings
  • Depression
  • Restlessness
  • Sleeplessness

Valuable facts

  • Methadone is a controlled substance and not all medical facilities can dispense it. While there are many addiction treatment centers in NJ that dispense methadone, an appointment is required. One can also contact certain physicians who may prescribe methadone.
  • It’s advisable to stay away from alcohol when on methadone because it can have dangerous adverse effects- both are central nervous system depressants. You need to tell your doctor if you are consuming alcohol while on methadone.
  • In order to ensure compliance, a urine test will be administered by your methadone provider to ensure there is no illicit drug or alcohol use while on methadone.
  • Methadone, like all opiates, is highly addictive. If you’re using it to detox, your treatment plan will include how to progressively taper and ultimately stop taking it.

 

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