Acute Mental Health:

Ketamine Addiction

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine (also know as K, Special K or Vitamin K) is an anaesthetic drug used in human and animal medicine and can come as a white powder that can be snorted, a liquid that can be injected or a tablet that can be swallowed. It has psychedelic or hallucinogenic effects. More recently it has been used in the UK on the dance scene and is sometimes sold as Ecstasy as it is difficult to tell the difference between the tablets.

Ketamine is a class C drug and possession of it can get you up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine. Supplying it to anyone else (even friends) can get you up to 14 years in prison.

What are the effects of Ketamine?

In smaller doses it can be a stimulant creating feelings of higher energy levels and euphoria, but taken in larger doses can cause loss of time, paralysis, nausea, an effect like that of a near death experience, loss of control or a sense of disconnection with the body.

Usually, a Ketamine trip only lasts between 45 and 90 minutes, regardless of dosage. The experience can be much shorter if you have high tolerance. The effects wear off very rapidly.

What are the problems associated with Ketamine use?

Ketamine is linked with a wide range of mental health problems including panic attacks, anxiety, depression, insomnia, post traumatic stress, and persistent perceptual changes (continuing after use) and suicidal ideation.

It should not be used with alcohol or other sedative style drugs as this significantly increases the chances of serious problems occurring. If taken with alcohol it can dangerously suppress breathing and heart function and can lead to unconsciousness.

If high enough doses are taken the anaesthetic effect can result in death, this can be due to loss of consciousness and inhalation of vomit.

How can Cygnet Health help?

Cygnet Health Care offers detox, rehab and aftercare support as an inpatient, day patient or outpatient for ketamine addiction. If you would like advice or guidance about your use of ketamine and how to reduce this please contact your nearest Cygnet Hospital to talk to one of our experienced addiction team.

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