Ketamine: Side Effects, Addiction, Withdrawal & Treatment

Many people have heard of ketamine, but few people know the realities and risks relating to the drug. In recent years, its popularity as a recreational drug has increased, but so has the number of cases of addiction.

In this blog post, we will discuss ketamine addiction, withdrawal symptoms, overdose risks, and treatment options available. Read on to learn more about this dangerous drug.

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a powerful dissociative anesthetic that can cause euphoria, hallucinations, and delusions. It is most commonly used in veterinary medicine, but it has also been used as a human anesthetic for procedures such as surgery and childbirth.

Ketamine goes by several names such as Cat Valium, Super Acid, Jet K, Vitamin K, Kit Kat, Special K, Purple, and Special La Coke while K, Super C, Jet, and Green are its popular street names. Commercially, it can be referred to as Ketaset, Ketalar, Ketelar SV, Ketanest, and Ketanest S.

What Does Ketamine Look Like?

The drug can come in three forms: liquid, tablets, and powder. In liquid form (Ketamine Hydrochloride), it is colorless and odorless and can be injected into the patient’s body as anesthesia.

When used for recreation, they are bought and then stored in bottles for minimal intake. Consuming a lot of ketamine could result in harmful and unexpected results.

Another way of ingesting the substance is by mixing it with a beverage. Taking the liquid with alcohol or while driving can cause profuse vomiting and loss of consciousness. In powder form, the appearance of the drug is similar to that of cocaine but smoother in consistency and texture especially when it gets in contact with water.

Special K powder, like its liquid variation, is taken in small doses (less than a pinch). As a tablet, manufactured ketamine has brand logos that resemble ecstasy’s outer casing. It is this trademark that makes it popular at parties, which is how Ketamine got the reference of party drug.

Digestives made from diluted Ketaset, when combined with a stimulant, create a mild and subtle dissociative effect. Extra precaution is given to those consuming the drug for its potency is difficult to measure like LSD and synthetic marijuana.

What Is Ketamine Used For?

Ketamine is used for medical anesthesia, pain management, therapy, and as an antidepressant. As anesthesia, it cannot be applied on its own; relaxants and incubation come with its operation protocol. Pharmaceutical effects of using the drug are catalepsy, bronchodilation, and sympathetic nervous stimulation.

For its other uses, ketamine is a sedative for spinal/epidural analgesia and health emergencies for pain management. This use is convenient because the substance can be applied without the need for electricity, oxygen, or medical professionals; it can be used on animals and by veterinarians.

Studies have also shown Ketamine as a solution to some types of depression such as treatment-resistant depression, bipolar depression, and suicidal ideation. Its depressive tendencies in one dose can kick in 4 hours after it is ingested.

As a recreational drug, ketamine is used as a “club drug” because of its hallucinogenic properties. The sense of detachment it produces is also another reason for its demand in the party scene.

How Does Ketamine Work?

A very complex system in the human body is a chemical target for Ketamine. Once the drug is taken, it aims for the central nervous system (CNS) NMDA receptor that allows positively-charged ions to flow throughout the cell membrane.

When this process happens, the functions of neurotransmitters (a chemical messenger that boosts and balances signals throughout the body) dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine are temporarily disrupted.

How Long Before You Can Feel the Effects of Ketamine?

It depends on how you take it. Injecting ketamine will produce effects within 30 seconds. Snorting it will produce effects within 5 to 10 minutes, and swallowing a pill will produce effects within 20 minutes.

How Long Does Ketamine Stay In Your System?

The answer to this question depends on what kind of test is being used to detect ketamine in your system. Blood tests can detect ketamine for up to four days after you last used it, while urine tests can detect it for up to 14 days. Hair follicle tests can detect ketamine for up to 90 days after last use.

• Blood test – 4 days
• Urine test – 14 days
• Hair test – 90 days

What are the Short and Long-term Effects of Ketamine?

Ketamine’s sedative properties relax and alter the senses of those who use it. It has the potential to be abusive because of its hallucinogenic effects. There are also several dangers of ketamine use.

There are several effects of Ketamine. Short-term effects that can occur directly after ingesting the substance (or after a short period of taking the drugs) are forgetfulness, nausea, vomiting, feelings of depression, and slow to difficulty in breathing.

Long-term signs and symptoms affect the physiological and behavioral/cognitive aspects of the patient. These can range from redness of the skin, rapid eye movement, lack of coordination, slurred speech, insomnia, excess saliva, increased urination, sudden numbness/tolerance to pain, increased blood pressure, and motionlessness.

The most extreme cognitive symptoms manifest through memory loss and delusions along with the physical effects of bladder and kidney problems. The drug also targets the brain and its mental and cognitive functions. Behavioral and cognitive effects can be a tendency to get depressed, irritability, detached or dissociative, feeling of being strong/powerful or having an out-of-body experience, doubts about discernment, difficulty in thinking, lack of focus, colorful dreams, and hallucinations.

When combined with other narcotics, the drug can increase its potency and can do serious damage to vital organs. It can also leave the body to develop symptoms of delusion, amnesia, and unconsciousness. Ketamine then affects the cardiovascular function so symptoms of chest pain, depletions in heart rate, and increase in blood pressure are also felt.

Is Ketamine Addictive?

The drug is categorized as a Schedule III substance that triggers hallucinogenic effects for its users. Unlike cannabinoids and opioids, however, they are less severe since their users are less psychologically and physically dependent on them.

The drug itself is not considered addictive but it does give a pleasurable dream-like dissociative effect that gets an individual craving for it once it has left the system. This detached state allows the body to function in a monotonous manner; those who are complacent about these symptoms take higher doses more frequently for the effects to happen again.

Once passed this state, behavioral signs can become more unpredictable depending on how the individual responds. For some, it can manifest through euphoria while for some, it can be hallucinations or temporary paralysis.

Individuals with a history of self-medicating expression and suicide ideation are more likely to be addicted to the drug because part of its effects is to temporarily heighten sensory feelings and therefore reduce typical emotional symptoms.

What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms?

The withdrawal symptoms of ketamine can include bladder malfunction, a state of distraction or confusion, drowsiness, and an unmotivated state.

In some cases, people may also experience eye redness, slurred speech, memory loss, chills, and hunger.

What Causes Ketamine Overdose? Signs of an Overdose

Overdosing on ketamine can occur when someone takes too much of the drug, usually in combination with alcohol or other drugs.

The signs and symptoms of a ketamine overdose can vary depending on the individual but may include high blood pressure, an accelerated heart rate, seizures, and nausea or vomiting. In severe cases, a ketamine overdose can lead to unconsciousness and even death.

What Should You Do If Someone Is Overdosing?

If you suspect that someone is overdosing on ketamine, it is important to seek medical help immediately. If the person is unconscious or having trouble breathing, call emergency help right away.

How Do You Treat Ketamine Addiction? Detox & Treatment

Detox is the first step in treating ketamine addiction, and it typically takes place in an inpatient setting. This allows patients to detox under the close supervision of medical professionals.

After detox, patients will typically enter into a drug rehab program. These programs emphasize group and individual therapy, as well as other evidence-based treatments. During this time, patients work on addressing the underlying causes of their addiction and learning how to live a healthy, drug-free life.

Final Thoughts: Addressing Ketamine Abuse and Addiction

Ketamine addiction is a serious problem that requires professional treatment. Treatment for ketamine addiction is not easy, but it is possible. With professional help and support, you can overcome this disease and reclaim your life.