“The best thing about me is that if an alcoholic or drug addict comes up to me and says ‘Will you help me?’ I will always say ‘Yes, I know how to do that. I will do that for you, even if I can’t always do it for myself.’ So I do that, wherever I can. In groups, or one on one,” he wrote. “And I created the Perry House in Malibu, a sober-living facility for men …”
The tragic overdose of well-known actor Matthew Perry on October 28, 2023, brought attention to the risks associated with ketamine, particularly for those with addiction histories. Perry, who struggled with substance abuse, got treated excessively by doctors with Ketamine, and also misused it. Matthew Perry’s death is a great loss. He was dedicated to helping many towards sobriety. Would he still be alive today if the doctors who administered him were ethical than profit driven?
Ketamine is not only a medical drug, but also a popular recreational substance, increasingly abused in parties and clubs.By the end of March 2022, UK authorities seized record amounts of ketamine, with confiscated quantities rising by 884% from 208kg to 1,837kg. The drug’s use can lead to dissociation and panic attacks, contributing to its dangerous profile in uncontrolled settings. Few are aware that Ketamine also interacts and binds to 2 opioid receptors, thus giving temporary pleasure and sense of well being that increases its popularity as a club drug now.
Studies show that self-administered, high-dose ketamine can lead to addiction, now referred to as “ketamine use disorder.” Additionally, medical complications such as “ketamine bladder syndrome” (Srirangam et al., 2012) and “Ketamine-Induced Cystitis” (Anderson et al., 2022) are known outcomes of chronic misuse. At a clinical work setting, I have witnessed severe cases presented with debilitating symptoms requiring invasive surgery due to the physical damage ketamine inflicts. These risks are real.
While ketamine has gained recognition for its rapid antidepressant effects, offering hope for people with treatment-resistant depression, it is not a standalone cure. One method or drug doesn’t fix all. Experts stress that ketamine should be integrated into a comprehensive treatment plan involving psychotherapy. Therapy helps individuals address underlying trauma, psychological patterns, and long-term recovery. Without such support, ketamine use can lead to dependency and relapse of mental health issues. Short-term mood improvements from psychoactive substances like ketamine are often unsustainable in the long term.
Here is an excerpt from the systematic review analysis (Walsh et al. 2021) on the use of Ketamine for treatment of various conditions:
“In conclusion, the plethora of evidence from the systematic reviews and meta-analyses reviewed here supports a robust, rapid and transient antidepressant effect of ketamine in unipolar and bipolar depression, as well as treatment-resistant depression, with repeated dosing increasing the duration of effectiveness. In numerous studies, ketamine was also demonstrated to have short-lived anti-suicidal properties, independently of improvements in depressive symptoms. A small number of trials provide some evidence to support the beneficial effects of ketamine for post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive–compulsive disorder. Ketamine’s anxiolytic effects for social anxiety disorder and generalized anxiety disorder have also been reported, nonetheless symptom recurrence following treatment was common. There is also evidence that ketamine results in short-term increases in abstinence, reductions in use, cravings and symptoms of withdrawal related to problematic substance use. In light of the substantial mortality associated with opioid overdose, the potential of ketamine to address opioid use disorders is particularly encouraging and worthy of further investigation.”
In Singapore, ketamine has recently been approved for a clinical trial in Singapore General Hospital for treatment resistant Major Depression. The cost of Ketamine treatment is expensive, it can cost 6000 to 8000 per month or more in a private psychiatry clinic in Asia for one month of treatment.
If you are considering Ketamine for outpatient treatment, these following questions might guide you:
- Have you had a thorough psychological and psychosocial assessment before? Are there other methods you could turn to, to improve your moods first?
- What is the clinic provider’s source of Ketamine from? Is it legitimate to use it in this particular country and setting?
- What are the potential side effects?
- How could you stay safe during the administration of Ketamine?
- Do you have a connecting therapist of significant loved one or trusted friend to stay with you during the duration of the administration, and a few hours after that?
While a growing medical community recently sees promise in ketamine for treating certain mental health conditions (albeit a lack of long-term studies), it is still vital to undergo therapy to address chronic mental health issues. Without this, the risks of misuse, dependency, and negative psychological effects remain high, as seen in high-profile cases like Perry’s.
Get in touch today if you need help on an assessment or psychological support.
Research References
- Srirangam S, Mercer J. Ketamine bladder syndrome: an important differential diagnosis when assessing a patient with persistent lower urinary tract symptoms. BMJ Case Rep. (2012)
- Anderson DJ, Zhou J, Cao D, McDonald M, Guenther M, Hasoon J, Viswanath O, Kaye AD, Urits I. Ketamine-Induced Cystitis: A Comprehensive Review of the Urologic Effects of This Psychoactive Drug. Health Psychol Res. (2022)
- Walsh, Z., Mollaahmetoglu, O. M., Rootman, J., Golsof, S., Keeler, J., Marsh, B., Nutt, D. J., & Morgan, C. J. A. (2021). Ketamine for the treatment of mental health and substance use disorders: comprehensive systematic review. BJPsych open, 8(1), e19. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2021.1061
- Gold, M. Psychology Today: The Bright and Dark Sides of Ketamine. 13 September 2024
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-data-reveals-record-amounts-of-cocaine-and-ketamine-seized
- https://www.sgh.com.sg/news/research/ketamine-approved-to-treat-major-depressive-disorder-with-sgh-as-trial-site
Disclaimer:
Any views or research expressed in this post are not intended to insult or offend anyone, malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organisation, company or individual. This post does not serve as a direct medical advice, kindly see medical professional immediately if you need immediate assistance.
Note: Comments are disabled.