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Ketamine Abuse
Ketamine is a powerful sedative and dissociative. Originally developed as a tranquilizer for medical purposes, ketamine is now widely used recreationally. Appearing as either a white powder or a liquid, ketamine is used legally by medical professionals as an anesthetic, but some people use it illegally because of the psychedelic effects, euphoria, painlessness and out-of-body sensations it produces. It’s often used at raves and clubs.
When used incorrectly, ketamine can cause paralysis, hallucinations, seizures and other major medical problems. It can also be addictive, and is sometimes used as a date-rape drug because it causes temporary paralysis and memory loss. Brand names for ketamine include Ketalar, Ketanest, Ketajet and Ketaset. It’s also known by its street names: K, Special K, Super K, Vitamin K, Cat Valium, Cat Tranquilizer, Jet, Kit Kat, and Purple.
Risks of Ketamine Abuse
People have widely varying reactions to ketamine. Its effects tend to appear quickly, depending on how it’s ingested. Smoking ketamine causes immediate effects; snorting brings effects within about 10 minutes and oral ingestion causes effects within about 20 minutes. The high from ketamine normally lasts for up to two hours. Short-term effects of ketamine use include:
- Sedation
- Hallucinations
- Slurred speech
- Loss of coordination
- Eye movements
- Memory loss
- Anxiety
- Chest pains
- Vomiting
- Paranoia
- Nausea
- Seizures
- Reduction in or elimination of pain
- Difficulty concentrating and/or moving
- Pleasurable or trance-like feelings
- Increased need to urinate
- Higher blood pressure
- Damage to the liver, kidneys, and digestive tract
- Urinary tract and bladder issues (“K bladder”)
- Brain damage
How Teens and Young Adults Use Ketamine
Teens and young adults ingest ketamine in several different ways:
- Injecting the liquid form
- Snorting the powder
- Mixing the powder into a drink
- Smoking the powder
- Ingesting the powder orally (“bombing” or “dabbing”)
Signs of Ketamine Addiction
If you’re concerned that your child could be abusing ketamine, watch for the following signs:
- Sedation
- Confusion
- Seeming “out of it”
- No feelings of pain
- Loss of memory
- Paranoia
- Panic
- Anxiety
- Itchy skin
- Sudden changes in personality
- Loss of coordination
- Loss of interest in relationships, work, school or other activities
- Drug paraphernalia (needles, pill packets, cigarette paper, bottles, plastic bags, white powder)
If your teen or young adult is displaying one or more of these signs, you should strongly consider finding treatment for them.
What to do if Your Child is Abusing Ketamine
Ketamine is a high-risk substance – if your loved one is abusing ketamine, it’s important to get professional treatment as soon as possible. Teens and young adults often experiment with party drugs as a means of testing their limits, but some of those actions can have dangerous, long-term consequences. If you’re concerned that your child is using ketamine and aren’t sure what your next steps should be, the team at Sandstone Care can help. We’re available seven days a week to answer your questions on how to approach your child and explain your options for getting them help. Give us a call at 888-850-1890.
