Ketamine rehab

Leaving ketamine addiction untreated can have serious and sometimes permanent consequences. Physically, ketamine is notorious for damaging the bladder and urinary tract, and many people experience pain, bleeding, or an urgent need to urinate.

Nick Dunkley, Centre Manager at UKAT Banbury Lodge, explains:

“I don’t think I’ve met one person abusing ketamine who doesn’t have bladder problems.”

If left untreated, these issues can progress into more serious conditions, which can require surgery and, in the worst cases, lead to permanent loss of bladder function.

Mentally, ketamine use can trigger anxiety, depression, paranoia, and even psychosis. Many people also struggle with memory loss and poor concentration, making work, studies, and relationships much harder. Because ketamine is illegal, there is also the constant risk of fines, arrest, or a criminal record.

The scale of the problem is growing fast. NHS figures show that the number of people entering treatment for ketamine addiction more than doubled in just four years, from 1,140 in 2019 to 2,211 in 2023. UKAT’s own centres have seen admissions for ketamine addiction doubling.

Ketamine rehab matters because it’s the best chance to avoid or reverse these outcomes. With the right help, many of the physical symptoms can improve, mental health can stabilise, and the cycle of ketamine use can finally be broken.

One of the biggest changes people notice in ketamine rehab is how their body starts to heal. After ketamine detox, your bladder can start to recover, and you should experience less burning and less need to rush to the loo. With time off from ketamine, your energy should come back, too, and you should see improvements in your sleep and memory.

Ketamine rehab is also a chance to care for your mental health. Once ketamine is out of your system, the constant worry and low moods usually ease, and with support, you will feel much calmer and more positive.

Life at home and with friends can improve, too. Drug addiction can strain families and friendships, but through family therapy, you can mend trust and spend time together again. Work, study and everyday chores will stop feeling so overwhelming, and many people rediscover enjoyment in life without ketamine getting in the way.

Ketamine rehab can also keep you out of legal trouble, particularly as the UK government is now considering changing ketamine from a Class B drug to a Class A drug. To put into perspective how seriously the government is taking the issue, ketamine was only raised from a Class C drug in 2014. While the legal penalties are already very high, if ketamine does become a Class A substance, possession could get you seven years in prison, while supply or manufacturing can carry a life sentence.

Therapy is where the real change begins in ketamine rehab. It is the part that helps you look at your life and understand your patterns and decisions, and it is the stage where people often make the biggest breakthroughs.

Across our nine UKAT centres, you will find a wide mix of ketamine rehab therapies. Every client has regular one-to-one counselling to explore their own story, and group therapy to share, listen, and learn from peers. Many of our centres also provide therapies like CBT, DBT, and trauma-focused counselling, which are designed to address the deeper roots of ketamine use.

Because addiction often affects those closest to you, family therapy is also offered to help repair relationships. Alongside this, many centres bring in holistic approaches such as art therapy, meditation, and physical exercise.

The exact mix may differ between centres, but wherever you go in the UKAT network, you will find a rounded, supportive programme that meets your needs. If you’d like to explore the options, our team can explain the different centres and help find the best fit for you.

If you have been searching for help, UKAT has ketamine rehab centres across the country where you can begin recovery in a safe, supportive setting. Our inpatient programmes combine medical care, therapies, and long-term support so you never have to face addiction alone. Reach out today and let us guide you through the ketamine rehab process step by step.