Written by: THE BALANCE
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Boss, MD
Last updated: January 20, 2026
Fact checked
Quick Summary
  • Ketamine, a popular club drug, has been destroying the lives of countless people across the globe.
  • This potent hallucinogen, originally intended to be used as an anaesthetic, has been abused in the UK for years.
  • A growing number of users report addictions, with dire consequences on mental and physical health.
Reading time: 8 min

Ketamine, a popular club drug, has been destroying the lives of countless people across the globe. This potent hallucinogen, originally intended to be used as an anaesthetic, has been abused in the UK for years. A growing number of users report addictions, with dire consequences on mental and physical health. Fortunately, multiple rehabs now provide ketamine addiction treatment services to those prepared to seek help.

The type of rehab you choose to address an addiction can significantly impact how well you recover. Yes, rehabs are about practising sobriety, but they also help you learn how to improve life quality and sustain the changes you have acquired after a long residential treatment program. The setting you are in, the professionals who care for you, and the relationships you form with peers all play a role in supporting you through recovery. Hence, choosing a rehab carefully after developing a sound understanding of how it works and the kind of treatment programmes to expect is highly advised.

A typical rehab for ketamine UK offers a variety of programmes with varying features, therapies, and facilities. The choice of a program depends on each client’s individual circumstances, treatment goals, current health status, and budget.

The following programmes are typically offered for the treatment of ketamine addiction.

Inpatient Rehab Program

Also known as residential rehab, this program is what most people imagine in their minds when they hear the word “rehab.” This type of program includes a client staying on-campus in a dedicated facility to receive treatment. These facilities are pleasant, secure, confidential, and free from triggers to provide all clients with high chances of recovery. Medical support is also available 24/7, along with live-in therapists to offer immediate assistance in times of crisis. Most luxury rehabs also provide a ready-made peer group in the form of other recovering addicts and other facilities to benefit the clients psychologically and physically.

A typical inpatient program lasts between 30 to 90 days, though the duration may vary for some clients. 

Outpatient Rehab Program

Less severe cases of addictions are usually managed on an outpatient basis through programmes that do not require clients to stay on-campus. These programmes are especially suitable for those unable to square the rules of inpatient treatment with the responsibilities of daily life.

In an outpatient ketamine addiction treatment program, clients visit the clinic for appointments, including regular checkups, medication prescriptions, and therapy sessions. By the end of these sessions, they return to their houses and continue their lives as usual. This flexibility level makes it easy for many to receive help; however, outpatient treatment may not be suitable for everyone. For example, people with a high risk of relapse may not find it helpful as it does not remove them from an addiction-provoking environment.

Intensive Outpatient Programmes

As a more intense form of the regular outpatient program, this treatment requires clients to attend the clinic for at least four weekly sessions. These sessions are significantly longer, more intense, and more rigorous than those included in a standard outpatient program.

Intensive outpatient treatment provides plenty of opportunities for ketamine addicts to put themselves in situations where they can easily relapse. Hence, regular drug testing is usually conducted as a mandatory part of the program to help them stay on the right track.

Ongoing Care Programmes

Also known as aftercare, this program entails the care plans given to clients once they complete treatment at rehab and are ready to move back to their everyday life. It usually includes counseling, therapy, and other types of activities intending to reinforce the previous addiction treatment. A good ketamine addiction rehab may provide free-of-cost aftercare for up to one year after the rehabilitation course to support sobriety and recovery within a coherent schedule. These programmes also include participation in support groups with peers to assist you through tough times and prevent you from resorting back to dangerous, addictive behaviours during stressful times.

Aftercare plans are likely to differ from one treatment rehab to other. It is advised to enquire about the level of ongoing care these clinics provide and the type and duration of aftercare plans.

The treatment program choice requires in-depth evaluation and assessments by an addiction expert. However, inpatient treatment is generally advised, especially for people with a severe addiction to ketamine. During this residential treatment program, clients reside in the facility under the supervision of medical staff. Dedicated team members are always available to guide clients from initial detox to therapy so that they can become healthier versions of themselves.

Other features of inpatient ketamine addiction treatment that make it preferable to other programmes include:

  • Assistance for identification and treatment of any co-occurring mental or physical health issue that may have led to addiction
  • Professional support and medical care during the detox process in a safe environment
  • Provision of supportive medication, when appropriate, to minimise the symptoms of withdrawal and support recovery
  • Individualized care plans are formulated to meet client needs and help them in recovery
  • Provision of safe and private space to focus on treatment and recovery away from the daily stressors of home, family, and work
  • Availability of specialised therapy such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) with proven benefits for addiction
  • Comprehensive planning for aftercare programmes to help clients settle in their normal lives outside of the rehab

A rehab for ketamine addiction can be a safe haven for you or anyone around you struggling with ketamine abuse. These rehabs adopt a holistic approach to treatment and utilise a combination of different eastern and western philosophies to treat physical symptoms and remove underlying triggers and causes contributing to addiction.

The supportive clinical staff at these facilities personally invest in your long-term wellbeing and health. And if you go for inpatient treatment, the success rates are likely to be even higher as you get to recover in a completely private, stress-free environment under constant care and support.

From your initial assessment to your aftercare planning, a ketamine rehab will do everything possible to help you cultivate a positive mindset and acquire tools to fight a long-term battle against addiction.

We are here to make your life easier. Give us a call today to book a meeting and kickstart your journey towards recovery without any delay.

FAQs

Is Ketamine addictive?
Like other types of euphoria-inducing anaesthetic drugs, it is possible to develop an addiction to ketamine. It usually occurs as the body starts depending on it to feel happy or cope with life’s stressors. This initially leads to tolerance buildup, forcing users to keep consuming it in progressively high amounts. Ultimately, addiction sets in where it becomes impossible to go through the day without a dose of ket.
How long does ket stay in your system?
It takes one to three days for the body to clear ketamine from its systems. Nevertheless, certain drugs can still pick it up past this timeline. For example, urine tests can detect the presence of this drug for up to 14 days post-consumption. Similarly, hair tests can confirm the consumption of ketamine even if you had taken your last dose months ago.
Why do I need a ketamine addiction treatment program? I feel fine.
It is common for addicts not to realise the gravity of their situation. However, what most of these people abusing ketamine do not realise is that its continuous use can block the opioid receptors in their brain, leading to the following side effects:
Dry mouth
Double vision
Muscle spasms
High blood pressure
Difficulty in learning
Nausea and vomiting
Altered heart rate
Hallucinations
Nightmares
Decreased attention span
Difficulty breathing
 
Most of these symptoms are severe enough to impact the overall quality of life negatively. To save yourself from this discomfort, start searching for ketamine addiction treatment options before it’s too late.
Do ketamine treatment UK centres offer detox?
Depending on each client’s individual circumstances, detox may or may not be available. Detoxification is best suited to individuals displaying clear signs of ketamine addiction, including:
Failing to fulfil everyday responsibilities due to ketamine use
Experiencing intense cravings to use ketamine
Spending a lot of time obtaining and using ketamine or recovering from its effects
Taking ketamine in progressively higher doses than you originally intended
Noticing significant impairment in everyday functioning due to ketamine misuse
Continuing to use ketamine despite seeing its negative impact on health
Is there a cure for ketamine addiction?
Unfortunately, ketamine addiction, or any addiction for that matter, does not have an absolute cure. Addiction is a chronic condition that needs professional help and dedication to manage. You can receive this medical care, therapeutic treatment, and aftercare in a rehab center to help attain sobriety and continue it in the long term.
Because addiction is chronic, relapses are very likely. Hence, you may need to devote an unending focus to maintaining sobriety and recovery. Even if you relapse, do not feel demotivated, as it is normal for people recovering from addiction. You may need tweaks in your treatment plan to overcome this hurdle and continue with the recovery once again.

The Article

+

About This Article

+

Do you need help?

Sister Topics

Drug Abuse in Athletes Drug Addiction Statistics Drugs Abuse Drugs Addiction In India Drugs That Cause Serotonin Syndrome Drugs That Induce Psychosis Heroin Addiction Heroin Addiction Treatment How To Recover From Being Roofied How To Recover From Edibles Inpatient Drug Rehab Khat, a herb or a drug Kratom Addiction Luxury Drug Addiction Rehab MDMA Addiction Monkey dust Addiction  Nicotine Withdrawal Poppers Drug Solpadeine Addiction Spice Addiction UK Steroid Abuse Steroid Addiction Symptoms Of A Comedown Vaping And Mental Health Vaping Dangers UK What are the Effects of Drugs on Heart What is 2C-B What is Drug Induced Psychosis Worst Drugs for Your Heart