Trust SoCal Treatment Center

Ketamine Addiction

Compassionate, evidence-based treatment for lasting recovery

Medically reviewed by Rachel Handa, Clinical Director — Updated February 1, 2026

Ketamine-related emergency department visits in the United States have increased approximately 350% over the past decade, reflecting its growing prevalence as a drug of abuse.
Studies of chronic recreational ketamine users show that up to 30% develop lower urinary tract symptoms, with severity correlating directly with the frequency and duration of use.
The number of ketamine clinics in the United States has grown from fewer than 100 in 2015 to over 750 by 2024, raising concerns about increased access and potential diversion contributing to misuse.

Varies by treatment plan

What Is Ketamine Addiction?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that has gained dual notoriety as both a legitimate medical breakthrough for treatment-resistant depression and a widely misused recreational drug. Originally developed as a surgical anesthetic in the 1960s, ketamine produces a unique state of dissociation from the body and environment, along with hallucinations, altered perception, and, at lower doses, feelings of euphoria and relaxation. Recreational ketamine use has grown significantly in club and festival settings, while the proliferation of ketamine clinics and at-home ketamine therapy for depression has created additional pathways to dependence. Chronic ketamine use carries severe and potentially irreversible consequences for the urinary tract and bladder, a unique toxicity profile that distinguishes it from most other substances of abuse. Psychological dependence develops as users rely on ketamine's dissociative properties to escape emotional distress, trauma, or daily life pressures. Trust SoCal provides specialized ketamine addiction treatment that addresses both the psychological dependence and the medical complications associated with chronic use.

Signs & Symptoms

Recognizing the signs of ketamine addiction is the first step toward getting help. Common indicators include:

Using ketamine with increasing frequency, progressing from occasional social use to regular solitary consumption
Needing progressively larger doses to achieve the desired dissociative or euphoric effects
Experiencing urinary symptoms including frequent, painful, or urgent urination, a hallmark of chronic ketamine use
Spending significant time in a dissociated or "K-hole" state, withdrawing from relationships and responsibilities
Continuing to use despite bladder pain, cognitive decline, or other health consequences

Health Effects

1Ketamine-induced ulcerative cystitis, causing severe bladder pain, urinary frequency, incontinence, and in advanced cases bladder contracture requiring surgical intervention

2Chronic abdominal pain (K-cramps) caused by dilation of the biliary tract and liver damage

3Cognitive impairment including deficits in working memory, episodic memory, and attentional processing

4Dissociative and psychotic symptoms including depersonalization, derealization, and hallucinations with chronic use

5Risk of accidents and injuries due to impaired coordination, judgment, and pain perception while intoxicated

Withdrawal & Detox

Ketamine withdrawal is primarily psychological, as the drug does not produce the severe physical withdrawal syndromes characteristic of opioids, alcohol, or benzodiazepines. However, individuals with established ketamine dependence commonly experience significant anxiety, depression, irritability, insomnia, tremors, sweating, cravings, and a persistent sense of cognitive fog upon cessation. Some users report flashbacks or perceptual disturbances during the withdrawal period. Fatigue and anhedonia may persist for several weeks as the brain's glutamate system rebalances. The psychological withdrawal can be especially challenging for individuals who used ketamine to self-medicate depression or trauma, as these underlying conditions resurface and may feel intensified in early recovery. Professional support including psychiatric care and behavioral therapy is important for managing the psychological dimensions of ketamine withdrawal safely.

Treatment at Trust SoCal

Ketamine addiction treatment at Trust SoCal addresses the drug's unique pharmacological and medical profile. Initial assessment includes urological evaluation for bladder damage and neuropsychological testing to gauge cognitive impact. Medical care addresses any urinary tract complications, liver concerns, or other physical consequences of chronic use. Behavioral treatment is built around Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to address the dissociative coping patterns that drive ketamine use, trauma-informed care for clients who used ketamine to escape emotional pain, and Motivational Enhancement Therapy to build commitment to recovery. For clients who initially encountered ketamine through therapeutic use for depression, our psychiatric team develops alternative, evidence-based depression management strategies. Group therapy provides connection with peers who understand the unique aspects of ketamine dependence. Comprehensive aftercare planning supports long-term recovery and ongoing management of any residual medical or psychiatric conditions.

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Key Statistics

Ketamine-related emergency department visits in the United States have increased approximately 350% over the past decade, reflecting its growing prevalence as a drug of abuse.

Studies of chronic recreational ketamine users show that up to 30% develop lower urinary tract symptoms, with severity correlating directly with the frequency and duration of use.

The number of ketamine clinics in the United States has grown from fewer than 100 in 2015 to over 750 by 2024, raising concerns about increased access and potential diversion contributing to misuse.

Related Addiction Types

MDMA/Ecstasy Addiction

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), commonly known as ecstasy or molly, is a synthetic psychoactive drug that produces powerful feelings of emotional warmth, empathy, heightened sensory perception, and increased energy. It acts primarily by flooding the brain with serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine simultaneously. While MDMA is often perceived as a relatively safe "party drug," chronic use carries significant neurotoxic risks, particularly to the serotonin system, and can lead to psychological dependence characterized by compulsive use despite mounting consequences. Street-sold MDMA is frequently adulterated with methamphetamine, cathinones (bath salts), fentanyl, or other dangerous substances, adding unpredictable risks to every dose. The social contexts in which MDMA is commonly used, including music festivals, nightclubs, and social gatherings, create environmental triggers that can make cessation especially challenging. Trust SoCal provides compassionate, evidence-based treatment for MDMA addiction that addresses both the neurological damage and the behavioral patterns sustaining use.

Learn More

Alcohol Addiction

Alcohol addiction, clinically known as alcohol use disorder (AUD), is a chronic medical condition characterized by an inability to control drinking despite negative consequences. Because alcohol is legal and socially normalized, many people struggle to recognize when casual drinking has crossed the line into dependence. Alcohol affects virtually every organ system in the body, and withdrawal from heavy, prolonged use can be life-threatening without medical supervision. At Trust SoCal, we provide medically supervised detox and comprehensive treatment tailored to the unique challenges of alcohol recovery.

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Prescription Drug Addiction

Prescription drug addiction encompasses the misuse of and dependence on any medication obtained through legitimate medical channels, including opioid painkillers, benzodiazepine sedatives, stimulants such as Adderall and Ritalin, and sleep aids like Ambien. Because these drugs are prescribed by physicians and manufactured by pharmaceutical companies, many people underestimate their addiction potential and believe they are inherently safer than illicit drugs. In reality, prescription drug misuse is one of the most common and fastest-growing forms of substance use disorder in the United States. Treatment requires addressing both the addiction itself and the underlying medical condition that originally prompted the prescription.

Learn More

Recommended Treatment Programs

Medical Detox

A safe, medically supervised first step toward lasting recovery.

5-10 days

Residential Treatment

Immersive, structured care in a healing environment where recovery becomes your full focus.

30-90 days

Dual Diagnosis Treatment

Integrated treatment that addresses addiction and mental health together, not separately.

30-90 days

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

Effective, flexible treatment that fits into your life while keeping recovery at the center.

8-12 weeks, 3 days per week

Therapies Used in Treatment

CBTCognitive Behavioral Therapy DBTDialectical Behavior Therapy EMDREye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing MIMotivational Interviewing GGroup Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

Can ketamine used for depression treatment lead to addiction?

Yes, there is a real risk. While ketamine and its derivative esketamine (Spravato) have shown genuine promise for treatment-resistant depression, their dissociative and euphoric properties create potential for misuse and dependence. The risk is higher with unsupervised at-home use and in individuals with a personal or family history of substance use disorders. Legitimate clinical use under careful medical supervision with appropriate monitoring reduces but does not eliminate this risk. If you are receiving ketamine for depression and notice escalating use or craving, it is important to discuss this with your treatment provider immediately.

What is ketamine bladder syndrome?

Ketamine-induced ulcerative cystitis, commonly called "ketamine bladder," is a painful and potentially devastating condition affecting the urinary tract of chronic ketamine users. Symptoms include severe bladder pain, urinary frequency (sometimes urinating dozens of times per day), urgency, incontinence, and blood in the urine. In advanced cases, the bladder can shrink to a fraction of its normal capacity, requiring surgical reconstruction or even removal. The condition develops because ketamine and its metabolites are directly toxic to the bladder lining. Early cessation of ketamine use can halt progression and allow partial recovery, but advanced damage may be irreversible.

Is ketamine physically addictive?

Ketamine produces primarily psychological rather than physical dependence, though chronic heavy users do develop tolerance and can experience physical withdrawal symptoms including tremors, sweating, and rapid heart rate. The psychological dependence can be powerful, driven by the drug's ability to produce a dissociative escape from emotional pain and its euphoric effects at lower doses. The compulsive use patterns and continued use despite severe consequences seen in chronic ketamine users meet all clinical criteria for substance use disorder.

How long does ketamine addiction treatment take?

Treatment duration depends on the severity and duration of ketamine use, the presence of medical complications, and co-occurring conditions. Stabilization and initial treatment typically require 30 to 60 days, with some clients benefiting from longer residential stays if significant cognitive impairment or medical issues are present. Ongoing outpatient therapy, psychiatric care for underlying mood disorders, and aftercare support extend well beyond primary treatment. Contact Trust SoCal at (949) 280-8360 to discuss an individualized treatment plan.

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