Does Online Therapy Work for Ketamine Recovery? Benefits, Risks & Effectiveness
Both short-term and long-term negative health impacts can result from ketamine addiction. Medical and professional help is necessary to address the negative consequences of frequent and excessive ketamine usage on one’s physical and mental health.
Although the body may be fully recovered from many of these symptoms, certain illnesses and traumas might leave lasting scars and cause lifetime bodily dysfunctions.
Online therapy may be used in a variety of methods to help patients maximise their recovery to full health, even if expert addiction treatment at a ketamine rehab is essential.
In the face of addiction or recovery, continue reading to learn how to maximise your lifestyle and well-being by utilising online treatment and resources.
Knowing About Addiction to Ketamine
Medical professionals give ketamine, a tranquillizer, to humans or animals that are in excruciating pain or distress. In addition to its application in pain management, ketamine is sometimes used to treat depression that is resistant to therapy.
Ketamine has numerous recreational users despite its medicinal advantages. Because ketamine is often and excessively consumed, as well as combined with other drugs, this is an issue.
Among the typical signs of ketamine usage are, but are not restricted to:
Distorted reality: Ketamine users, whether using the substance recreationally or under prescription, may suffer hallucinogenic symptoms including hearing and seeing things that are not there.
Dissociation: People who use ketamine may have a sense of detachment from their surroundings. The “out of body experience” is among the most often described events that occur when under the influence of ketamine.
Paralysis: When under the effect of ketamine, heavy users may experience a loss of control over their bodies.
These are some of the most prevalent desired sensations for persons who consistently use ketamine, even though many of them might be uncomfortable or cause anxiety. Nonetheless, a number of long-term health consequences may result in permanent disease, wounds, or even deformity.
The following are ketamine addiction’s long-term health effects:
Bladder issues: The phrase “ketamine bladder” has been coined to describe the prevalence of bladder problems among chronic ketamine users. Cystitis can result from bladder inflammation, and if the illness worsens, patients may need bladder surgery or a whole bladder removal. In the past, individuals have died from bladder problems brought on by ketamine.
Liver and kidney illnesses: Ketamine is a hazardous drug that can cause acute kidney damage and various liver and kidney diseases, including interstitial nephritis and hepatobiliary dysfunction.
Cognitive & mental disorders: Frequent and excessive use of an addictive drug causes significant chemical changes in the brain. Numerous cognitive problems, including poor memory and difficulty concentrating, can result from using ketamine. These drugs also have an impact on the grey matter, reward circuits, and other parts of the brain, which can result in co-occurring illnesses including depression and anxiety.
Online Therapy: What Is It?
Online counselling can take many different forms. A person may see themselves physically present in a room across from a licenced therapist when they hear the phrase “therapy.” Online treatment methods are among the several health-improving techniques and treatment procedures that may be referred to as therapy.
There are several types of online treatment, such as but not restricted to:
Appointments made online: Virtual appointments can be made online, much like a regular doctor’s appointment. Patients can get a diagnosis for the symptoms they share with their healthcare providers through a process known as telehealth.
One-on-one counselling for communication: Like any other type of treatment, patients at ketamine rehab can talk about their recovery progress or any addiction symptoms with licenced counsellors, psychiatrists, and other addiction professionals.
Group therapy conducted online: For patients in recovery, group therapy or support meetings can provide priceless insights and advantages. Sharing with and listening to other recovering addicts in a nonjudgmental setting can provide a variety of mental health advantages, including positive social reinforcement, community integration, and emotional catharsis.
Apps for digital recovery and wellness: Digital applications can have therapeutic advantages, but professional help is the most effective method to overcome an addiction. There are several ways to use digital applications to enhance your quality of life, regardless of whether they are geared towards mental or physical health or are made especially for those who are battling addiction.
Advantages of Online Treatment for Recovery from Ketamine
There are numerous advantages to using internet therapy, but it shouldn’t be considered a substitute for expert in-person treatment. Patients’ receptivity to therapy can be improved by integrating online and in-person therapeutic approaches.
Accessibility: Our reliance on technology and the value of digital intervention have only grown as a result of the epidemic. Online therapy and virtual sessions can make treatment more accessible to others, regardless of time constraints, geographic location, or a desire to avoid exposing oneself to other illnesses at the hospital.
Convenience: Regardless of their health, patients can get internet therapy. Patients may get professional-level advice from licenced physicians and addiction experts, regardless of whether they have received a diagnosis or are farther along in their recovery.
Lower cost: Due to its lower resource requirements, online treatment will typically be less expensive than private therapy conducted in person.
Discretion and reduced stigma: Online therapy can help those who are concerned about stigmatisation in addition to making it more accessible and convenient for those who live in more remote areas or have more demanding schedules. Many people would rather receive addiction therapy in solitude because they are worried about the social repercussions of seeking help. People can heal more easily with online treatment without disclosing their illness.
When Does Online Counselling Work Best?
When it comes to overcoming ketamine addiction, online therapy is comparable to outpatient treatment. Although online therapy and outpatient treatment have numerous advantages, they should only be used for people with milder types of ketamine addiction.
The patient may react favourably to online therapy if they have a solid support system at home and don’t suffer from any mental health conditions in addition to their ketamine addiction.
Individuals should seek addiction therapy at a private rehab if they have significant withdrawal symptoms, physical difficulties, co-occurring illnesses (such as mental health concerns), or other problems that might cause a relapse.
Online therapy’s drawbacks
There are disadvantages to depending only on internet treatment, even if these techniques might be helpful for addicts in recovery. When receiving addiction treatment online, you should be aware of the following disadvantages:
Unsuitable for detox: It is best for individuals to undergo detoxification at a facility that offers medical care. Even if detoxification may be done at home, as is frequently the case with outpatient programmes, patients’ recovery and abstinence may be hampered by a variety of relapse triggers.
Missed diagnosis: Online treatment or sessions may result in the licenced therapist or doctor being ignorant of any potential physical symptoms. Even when the patient is able to describe any symptoms they are having, a medical professional or therapist could find it easier to recognise physical signs in person as opposed to virtually.
Connection issues: Reduced audio or picture quality may result from connection problems. Again, this can result in communication problems and a failure to recognise diseases, but it can also take up a lot of important therapeutic time.
The patient will be recommended to seek treatment at a private ketamine rehab if they do not have a strong support network or if their living situation is not supportive of their recovery.
Different Online Therapy Types for Ketamine Rehab
One type of treatment is not the only option for therapy. Rather, there are several types of treatment, and each has a distinct goal in aiding addiction recovery.
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Whether for substance abuse, anxiety disorders, depression, or other conditions, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is one of the most prevalent therapies you may encounter in a recovery programme. CBT aims to assist patients in becoming more conscious of their propensity for self-destruction. CBT helps patients become more resilient in the face of addiction by addressing the underlying causes of addiction and helping them overcome negative thoughts and behavioural patterns.
Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (CBT): CBT and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) are comparable. DBT, on the other hand, emphasises the emotional aspect of rehabilitation far more. DBT will be especially helpful for patients who suffer from severe emotions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, or unpredictable behaviour since it will teach them useful coping skills for dealing with hardship.
Motivational Interviewing: Patients who get motivational interviewing are able to see that they already possess the necessary resources to overcome their addiction. Patients who get this type of therapy are able to identify the reasons for their desire to be better, which can strengthen and emphasise their innate drive.
Group support sessions: There are several advantages to group support sessions that solo treatment cannot provide. Patients who share their addiction recovery story will receive positive social reinforcement in addition to the built-in support system that group sessions provide. Furthermore, talking to others about your experience can be emotionally therapeutic and help you feel less stressed.
How to Get Ketamine Recovery Therapy Online
NHS & Public Healthcare
Through the NHS, online therapy and video consultations may be scheduled. However, as not all general practices provide video consultation, this varies by region.
In order to use the NHS’s online ketamine recovery therapy, you must:
- Confirm that your local GP offers video consultation
- Download a compatible app (e.g. Google Meet, Zoom)
- Have stable internet connection
- Be in a quiet and stable environment
Self-Help Groups
For those in recovery from addiction, a plethora of self-help organisations and support networks provide online meetings and treatment. Both Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous provide online meetings in addition to their well-known in-person support sessions. Members who reside in more remote areas or lack the physical means to attend meetings may now receive support sessions much more easily.
Additionally, SMART Recovery provides several formats for online meetings. Online connections allow users to easily connect with others for recovery meetings, friends and family gatherings, women-only groups, and more.
Private Online Addiction Therapy
The best option is probably private online addiction treatment if you want to quickly attend meetings online. This approach is more costly than others, though. Nevertheless, a licenced and trained therapist that can support you during your addiction rehabilitation will be linked to you right away.
Wellbeing & Lifestyle Apps for Online Therapy
There are several methods to maximise your sobriety outside of online treatment sites. Digital tools for health and sobriety, like online therapy sessions, let you track your progress every day and incorporate recovery practices into your everyday life.
Combining In-Person & Online Addiction Recovery
Recovery from addiction is a huge undertaking, and there’s no justification for focusing just on online or in-person therapy. Your response to therapy will be maximised by combining online and in-person treatment techniques. You will experience the physical, emotional, and spiritual advantages of therapy when you combine different approaches, such online communication therapy, with in-person detox and holistic activities.
