Ketamine, an anesthetic with psychedelic properties, is a popular party drug that has recently been found to be a promising alternative treatment for some mental illnesses but carries serious medical risks. Frequent use of ketamine can alter brain chemistry, giving users a euphoric feeling otherwise known as a ‘high’. The more often ketamine is taken, the more the mind becomes accustomed to that feeling and a tolerance is built.
You may also be at an increased risk of violent crime during your intoxication. The chemical name for ketamine is 2-(2-chlorophenyl)-2-(methylamino)-cyclohexanone. Its effects include ‘sedation, immobility, amnesia, and marked analgesia.’ These effects make it very well suited to medical use. However, ketamine also alters sensory perception and mood and can provoke hallucinations. Ketamine can produce an ‘out of body’ response that some have described as dissociation, hence the description of ketamine as a dissociative anaesthetic.
Answers to Common Concerns
In recent years, ketamine has become increasingly popular as a “club drug”, and is usually used at raves in Halfway house powder or liquid form. This euphoric state is what prompts continued use and a mental reliance (addiction) on ketamine. Additionally, ketamine also increases the effects of the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), which will create a sense of mild euphoria.
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Long-term use can lead to a vicious cycle of addiction, making it hard to break free from it. Seeking treatment services from a healthcare professional is crucial for those facing ketamine abuse, as it can have serious health consequences. She describes the increase in patients as “very concerning” and urges people to seek support through drug charities, mental health services and hospitals if needed. Ketamine ketamine addiction intoxication can present similarly to PCP, methoxetamine, and dextromethorphan intoxication, all of which bind to the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Also, providers should consider intoxication with alcohol, amphetamine, cocaine, LSD, MDMA, and salicylate, as well as delirium tremens from alcohol withdrawal.
Treatment / Management
Different psychological factors can increase the risk of substance misuse. Drugs are often used to suppress emotional stress and relieve the symptoms of a range of mental health issues, from depression to anxiety. Repeatedly turning to ketamine to ease emotional pain or trauma increases tolerance. Over time, self-medicating in this way can become habitual and co-occur with a mental health disorder.
Rehab options for ketamine addiction
Some of the families of ketamine addicts the BBC has spoken to want the drug reclassified as Class A. But this would also mean children caught in possession of ketamine could face up to seven years in jail rather than five. Putting ketamine in the same bracket as heroin and cocaine “may increase the stigma and make young people less likely to discuss their use and seek help”, warns Prof Ralphs. “We have seen young people under the age of 25 who’ve completely lost control of their bladders, who have had to have surgery, including bladder removal,” says Abigail Wilson, lead clinical pharmacist for national drug and alcohol charity WithYou. At the urology department of Burnley General Hospital, 26-year-old Ryan (not his real name) is having a drug solution inserted through a catheter – part of his treatment for a condition known as ketamine bladder.
Ketamine is generally considered relatively secure and does not result in serious adverse effects when used at low doses and for short periods. Nevertheless, side effects can occur in up to 40% of patients undergoing continuous subcutaneous infusion of ketamine. These potential effects encompass dizziness, blurred vision, altered hearing, hypertension, nausea and vomiting, vivid dreams, and hallucinations 112,113. Due to its NMDA receptor-blocking action, ketamine may trigger an excessive release of glutamate and thus cause cortical excitability, which can lead to psychotic behavior and cognitive abnormalities 114. The immediate effects of ketamine can induce schizophrenia-like symptoms, both positive and negative, in a dose-dependent manner and are mostly related to abnormal activation of the prefrontal cortex and limbic structure.
- Over the past three decades, ketamine has gained popularity as a preferred choice for parenteral anesthesia in pediatric patients 3.
- Also, the ventral striatum (VS) showed lower connectivity with the right superior temporal sulcus (STS) and the left superior frontal gyrus (SFG) which was mediated by higher scores on the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11) (Hung et al., 2020b).
- Large, repeated doses of ketamine may eventually cause ‘ketamine bladder syndrome’ – a painful condition needing ongoing treatment.
- Ketamine’s popularity comes with its ability to put users into a trance-like state, changing the way their environment looks and altering their mood.
- When employed as a rescue analgesic for promoting a restful sleep pattern and facilitating early resumption of feeding, ketamine surpasses bupivacaine in its effects 34,35.
Higher doses can lead to a state known as a K-hole, “which is where you become completely detached from reality and also paralysed”, says Mrs Wilson. And this means users’ habits can escalate rapidly, according to Aaron (not his real name), who lives in a small town outside Burnley and took his first snort of ketamine when he was just 16. One reason that so many young people are gravitating towards ketamine is they can buy it for pocket-money prices, according to Lexi. Lexi, who lives on a neat, well-cared-for street in Burnley, loved sport and dancing. But after she started secondary school, she says, a friend introduced her to ketamine. On top of this, the drug left her feeling depressed and wanting to isolate herself from friends and family.
He had multiple organ issues and weighed just six stone by the time Jo, who knew his family, told his mother that he needed to come to rehab. As well as running Birchwood, Jo speaks about the drug at conferences and holds a weekly video call, offering support for a growing group of parents whose children are addicted. Our admissions team at Recovery.org.uk (part of UKAT Group Limited) will help you find the best treatment for you or a loved one with just one telephone call. Withdrawal can be uncomfortable, but medical professionals can help manage symptoms safely.
Functional Differences
- Federal and state laws provide penalties for possessing, using, making, selling, importing or exporting, or driving under the influence of ketamine.
- Research has not yet established the side effects of long-term ketamine therapy, but older studies of recreational users offer some insight on heavy, extended dosing.
- Due to its quick induction and rapid recovery, its use has been reported in both veterinary and human surgery.
People who use it illegally often snort, smoke, or inject it, or mix it into drinks. To explore additional treatment options, you can view editorially selected providers on our site or visit the SAMHSA Treatment Locator. Calling the number is free and confidential, but treatment services may involve costs depending on your insurance coverage and the level of care required. We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. It is commonly referred to as special K, ket, cat valium, kit kat, and vitamin K, among others.
The centers offer comprehensive care, including outpatient rehab, medication-assisted treatment, and innovations like GeneSight testing, Ketamine Therapy, and TMS. Specialized psychiatrists and therapists most commonly treat substance use disorders, depression, bipolar, anxiety, trauma, and co-occurring diagnoses. In conclusion, ketamine toxicity and addiction pose significant risks to a small segment of the population, and given increasing utilization, the prevalence of these phenomena is expected to increase.
Ketamine abuse is when someone uses too much ketamine, a medication often used as an anesthetic. Symptoms of abuse may include confusion and difficulty thinking and impact overall well-being. People abusing ketamine may also experience mood swings and trouble speaking.