Effects
of Ketamine Abuse
Ketamine produces physical and mental effects.
A low dose, of around 25-100 mg, produces
psychedelic effects quickly. Large doses
can produce vomiting and convulsions and
can starve the brain and muscles of oxygen.
One gram can cause death.
Because the effects are so quickly
felt, a user may lose motor control
before injection is even complete.
Ketamine may produce feelings from
euphoria to paranoia to boredom.
There are hallucinogenic effects
and perception is impaired, intensifying
colors and sounds. Ketamine may also
relieve tension and anxiety, and
is alleged to be a sexual stimulant.
Ketamine is an anesthetic and prevents
the user from feeling pain. Therefore,
a ketamine user is often not aware
when something is wrong, and the
numbness may lead to increased use,
sometimes to the point of death.
Ketamine creates effects similar
to phencyclidine, commonly known
as PCP or Angel Dust, as the two
drugs have a similar molecular structure.
Some of the effects produced by detamine
include:
Use of ketamine commonly provides
an out-of-body or near-death experience
for the user. This is the effect
that a ketamine user is seeking,
as it allows them to disassociate
themselves from their own consciousness,
called k-hole.
If a ketamine user reaches the point
of a k-hole, they are in danger of
mental damage beyond repair. Ketamine
can leave the user comatose. Or the
ketamine user may develop a permanent
neurosis with periodic episodes of
complete consciousness perforation,
leading to insanity beyond psychological
assistance.
A ketamine high usually lasts an
hour, but effects can persist 4 -
6 hours. It is usually 24-48 hours
before the ketamine user feels completely
back to normal. It can take from
several months to two years for the
effects of chronic use of ketamine
to wear off. Flashbacks may even
be experienced a year after the last
ketamine use.
Ketamine use can lead to a vicious
obsession. The Ketamine user can
become dependent physically and psychologically
without even realizing it. Ketamine
becomes central to every thought,
turning into an obsession that rules
the ketamine user. This cycle of
obsession is the factor that leads
to ketamine use to the point of death.
Forms of Ketamine
Ketamine is most potent when injected
intramuscularly or intravenously.
It usually comes in liquid form
but can be made into tablets. Ketamine
may also be converted to a powder
for smoking or snorting, by evaporating
the liquid and reducing it to a
fine white powder.
Ketamine’s appearance is often
mistaken for cocaine or crystal methamphetamine.
It is sometimes sold as ecstasy and
mixed with other drugs such as ephedrine
and caffeine.
Street Names for Ketamine
Ketamine is also known on the street
as K, ket, special K, vitamin K,
vit K, kit kat, keller, kelly's
day, green, blind squid, cat valium,
purple, special la coke, super
acid, and super C. Slang descriptors
for experiences or effects of ketamine
include k-hole, K-land, baby food,
and God.
Ketamine Abuse
It is marketed as Ketalar or Ketaset
to veterinarians and medical personnel
and classified as a Schedule II
drug, having a high abuse potential
with severe psychic or physical
dependence liability. (Cocaine
and methamphetamine are also Schedule
II drugs.) Ketamine is considered
a controlled substance only in
California, Connecticut, New Mexico,
and Oklahoma.
The Drug Enforcement Administration
reports that ketamine abuse appears
mostly in San Diego, New York, Miami,
and Newark, DE, although use is also
reported in New Jersey, D.C., Florida,
and Georgia. Increasingly, young
people are using it as a club drug
at raves and parties. However, cafeteria
use, which refers to the use of a
number of hallucinogenic and sedative/hypnotic
club drugs (such as MDMA, GHB, LSD,
and prescription drugs) is reported
almost everywhere in the U.S.
Drug Treatment for Ketamine
Transitions Recovery drug treatment
center offers hope for those suffering
from the obsessive clutches of
ketamine.
Our professional drug
treatment center staff is experienced in helping
youth and people of all ages recover
from drug and alcohol abuse. We provide
a compassionate, supportive environment
in our North Miami Beach, Florida,
drug treatment center.
Admissions can
be accepted 7 days a week. Trained
addiction professionals conduct individual
assessments that address each individual’s
treatment needs. You’ll find
our ketamine drug treatment programs
offer access to a continuum
of care that
provides the intensity of therapy
appropriate
throughout each stage of recovery,
from extended residential care to
lifetime aftercare services. The
individual program incorporates leading
forms of therapy that have proven
effective in addressing underlying
causes of ketamine drug use, dual
diagnosis,
and issues with family, employers,
school and the legal system.
We work individually with patients
suffering from ketamine addiction
as well as in group sessions and
a Family
Program, after ketamine
detoxification if necessary. Emphasis
on recovery
from methadone addiction and maintained
sobriety helps prepare the patient
for gradual re-entry into society,
individually as well as in group
sessions and
a Family
Program. Emphasis on recovery
from ketamine addiction and maintained
sobriety helps prepare the patient
for gradual re-entry into society.
Ketamine treatment does not need
to be voluntary. Often, a family
member, employer, or the court system
can be the motivating factor for
an individual receiving drug treatment
for ketamine.
If you think that you or a loved
one may be addicted to ketamine,
please contact us right away. We’re
here to help. Call us at 1 (800)
626-1980 or request
more information.
