Key Takeaways:
- Freelancer Vulnerability to Substance Addiction: Freelancers often face unique stressors—such as isolation, irregular income, and high workload—that increase their risk of substance addiction, particularly to substances like ketamine.
- Burnout and Career Impact: Freelancers who abuse drugs often become burned out, less productive, and may even have to take time off work because of health problems and poor judgment.
- People who are addicted to drugs often also have mental health problems, which makes treatment and recovery harder. This is called dual diagnosis.
- Getting Help: Programs like Astoria Mental Health offer specialized care for people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol, including those who misuse ketamine. This can help them get better.
Introduction
Freelancing is a popular career choice these days because it lets you work on your own schedule and be your own boss. However, this way of life also has its own set of problems. Substance abuse, especially of drugs like ketamine, is one of the most worrying problems that freelancers are facing right now. This problem isn’t just personal; it’s also a professional issue that can lead to burnout and significant career setbacks.
Freelancers often work alone, have income that fluctuates, and are constantly under pressure to meet deadlines. People may look for ways to deal with these stressors, and some of those ways may involve using drugs. Ketamine was first made as an anesthetic, but it is now used for fun, especially by people who want to get away from the stress of their daily lives. Sadly, this misuse can have serious health effects and make it harder to move up in your career.
What Makes Freelancers Likely to Become Addicted to Substance Addiction?
Freelancers don’t have the same structure as a regular office. This gives them freedom, but it also means they don’t have the support systems that help them find and deal with problems like drug abuse. Freelancers are more likely to become addicted to drugs because they are alone and under constant pressure to do well.
The fact that freelancers don’t always get paid on time can also make them stressed and anxious, which can lead some to use drugs like ketamine to feel better. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) says that people who work in very stressful jobs are more likely to develop substance use disorders.
What Does Ketamine Do to the Body and Mind?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that can make you see things that aren’t there, forget things, and feel like you’re not really there when you use it wrong. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says that using drugs over and over can cause problems with the urinary tract, the liver, and the brain.
NIDA also says that using ketamine for a long time can make people tolerant, which means they need to take more to get the same effects, which raises the risk of overdose.
What Is a Dual Diagnosis, and Why Is It Important?
A dual diagnosis means that someone has both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder. A lot of freelancers who are addicted to ketamine may also be dealing with other problems, like depression or anxiety.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) says that people with two diagnoses need to get treatment that works together.
It doesn’t work very well only to treat one thing, like a mental health disorder or a substance use disorder. For recovery, it is essential to receive treatment that addresses both aspects.
What Can Freelancers Do to Stay Safe?
The first step is to be aware. Freelancers need to know the signs of substance abuse, like needing more of the drug to feel good, having withdrawal symptoms, and not taking care of their responsibilities. Getting help early can stop things from getting worse.
Setting limits, making a schedule, and getting help from friends or professionals can all help reduce the stressors that lead to drug use. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has tools and support for people who want to get help with drug or alcohol problems.
What Kinds of Treatment Are There?
If you are addicted to drugs, including ketamine, it is essential to get professional help. Astoria Mental Health and other specialized treatment programs deal with both substance use disorders and any mental health problems that go along with them.
Therapy, medication, and support groups may all be part of treatment. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) suggests using therapies that are based on evidence, like cognitive-behavioral therapy, to help people with substance use disorders.
Conclusion
Substance abuse among freelancers, especially of drugs like ketamine, is a growing problem that can cause burnout and issues in their careers. It’s crucial to recognize the signs early and get professional help.
If you or someone you know is having trouble with drug or alcohol addiction, you might want to contact Virtue at the Pointe at Tel: 866.377.4409 for help. Keep in mind that you can get help and get better.
FAQs:
1. What are the signs that someone is addicted to ketamine?
Some signs are building up a tolerance, having withdrawal symptoms, and not taking care of responsibilities.
2. What effect does abusing ketamine have on freelancers’ jobs?
It can make you tired, less productive, and hurt your work relationships.
3. What does “dual diagnosis” mean?
It’s when someone has both a mental health disorder and a substance use disorder at the same time.
4. Is it safe to use ketamine?
A doctor can safely give you ketamine for some medical conditions if they tell you to and keep an eye on you.
Citations:
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “Ketamine.” 9 April 2024, https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/ketamine.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). “Treatment.” 9 June 2025, https://nida.nih.gov/research-topics/treatment.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). “Key Resources and Tools for NSDUH.” https://www.samhsa.gov/data/data-we-collect/nsduh-national-survey-drug-use-and-health.
