Ketamine Addiction: Definition, Symptoms, Effects, and Treatment

Ketamine addiction arises when individuals misuse ketamine beyond prescribed medical use, leading to physical dependence and psychological cravings. Ketamine addiction represents a major challenge due to its wide-ranging physical, psychological, and social implications. Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic frequently misused for its hallucinogenic effects. 

The main symptoms of ketamine addiction include sedation, dizziness, slurred speech, increased drug-seeking behaviors, social withdrawal, neglect of responsibilities, memory deficits, paranoia, and anxiety, impairing daily functioning. 75% of recreational ketamine users are between the ages of 12 and 25, as noted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

The effects of ketamine addiction are urinary tract problems, muscle stiffness, cardiovascular issues, hallucinations, confusion, and long-term cognitive deficits. Prolonged misuse also results in delayed effects like chronic bladder pain, depression, and kidney damage. Illicit ketamine seizures surged by 349% between 2017 and 2022, with the total weight of ketamine confiscated in the United States rising dramatically from 127 pounds to approximately 1,550 pounds—an increase exceeding 1,100%, as outlined by Palamar et al. (2023) in “Trends in Illicit Ketamine Seizures in the US From 2017 to 2022.”

Treatment for ketamine addiction involves a combination of detoxification, inpatient and outpatient programs, cognitive behavioral therapy, and support groups. Detoxification safely removes ketamine from the system under medical supervision. Cognitive behavioral therapy addresses the underlying psychological triggers of addiction, while support groups provide a network for ongoing recovery and relapse prevention.

What Is Ketamine Addiction?

Ketamine addiction is the compulsive use of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic known for its hallucinogenic and pain-relieving properties. While ketamine is primarily prescribed for anesthesia and, more recently, for treatment-resistant depression, its recreational misuse has grown due to its hallucinogenic and euphoric effects. Addiction develops when users build tolerance, experience withdrawal symptoms, or prioritize ketamine use despite harmful consequences.

Data from the 2015–2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which included 210,392 U.S. adults, found that 0.13% of adults reported using ketamine in the past year, with males, particularly sexual minorities, at higher risk. Substantial factors associated with ketamine use were past-year use of other substances, highlighting the need for harm reduction strategies and policy initiatives according to R. Andrew Yockey in “Past-Year Ketamine Use: Evidence from a United States Population, 2015–2019.”

Ketamine distribution and abuse levels in North Carolina are considered low to moderate. The primary users of ketamine in the state are Caucasian teenagers and young adults, at private parties in urban areas. Additionally, ketamine seizures in North Carolina remain rare, as highlighted in the National Drug Intelligence Center’s (2003) North Carolina Drug Threat Assessment.

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic used in medical settings for pain relief and as a sedative during surgical procedures. Ketamine primarily affects the central nervous system by antagonizing the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Ketamine is also utilized off-label for treating depression and other mental health conditions. 

Known on the streets by names like “Special K,” “Kit Kat,” “Vitamin K,” “Purple,” “Special La Coke,” “Super Acid,” “Super C,” “Green K,” “Honey Oil,” “Jet,” and simply “Ket,”  ketamine is abused for its hallucinogenic and dissociative effects. Ketamine is consumed in ways such as snorting, injecting, smoking, or mixing it with beverages.

Ketamine has gained attention as a rapid-acting antidepressant and has also shown efficacy in reducing problematic alcohol and drug use. Recreational doses of ketamine are 5 to 10 times higher than therapeutic doses, with users consuming the drug in binge patterns to sustain the desired effects.

An analysis of 130,761 responses from the Global Drug Survey 2018 revealed that 5.93% reported lifetime ketamine use, with 57.7% using it in the past year. Users were predominantly young men (average age 27.37 years), and 8.55% of past-year users met the criteria for dependence. Despite frequent use, adverse events were rare, with less than 0.10% requiring emergency medical treatment, as detailed in a study by Barrios et al. titled “Ketamine Use in a Large Global Sample: Characteristics, Patterns of Use and Emergency Medical Treatment.”

How Long Does It Take to Get Addicted to Ketamine?

It takes weeks or months to get addicted to ketamine, depending on dosage, frequency, and individual factors. Recreational users who consume high doses frequently are at higher risk, while medical use under supervision carries a lower risk of dependency.

Ketamine precipitates distorted perceptions of sight and sound, as well as a sense of detachment and loss of control. Although the drug’s hallucinogenic effects last between 45 and 90 minutes, its impact on an individual’s senses, judgment, and coordination persists for up to 24 hours after use, as mentioned by the United States Department of Justice in “Ketamine Fast Facts.”

Is Ketamine Addictive When Used for Depression?

Yes, ketamine is addictive when misused, even for depression treatment per the 2018 review “On the Safety of Repeated Ketamine Infusions for the Treatment of Depression: Effects of Sex and Developmental Periods” by Strong C. & Kabbaj M. 2018 discusses the potentially addictive properties of repeated ketamine infusions for treatment-resistant depression (TRD). 

Ketamine demonstrates rapid antidepressant effects, the review notes that recurrent use breeds addiction, especially in adolescent and adult females. The study also accentuates concerns about cognitive impairment and the psychomimetic effects of ketamine during treatment, calling for further research on its long-term safety. Unsupervised use raises the risk massively.

What Are the Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction?

The symptoms of ketamine addiction include physical, behavioral, and psychological signs. Physically, individuals go through persistent cravings, tolerance (requiring more of the drug to achieve the same effect), and withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, shaking, or nausea. Behaviorally, there is compulsive use, neglect of responsibilities, and secretive behavior. Psychologically, users struggle with mood swings, anxiety, hallucinations, dissociation, and preoccupation with obtaining and using ketamine.

The physical, behavioral, and psychological symptoms of ketamine addiction are given below:

Physical Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction

The physical symptoms of ketamine addiction are listed below:

• Tolerance: As users continue to take ketamine, they need progressively larger doses to experience the same effects. This happens because the body becomes accustomed to the drug, spawning diminished sensitivity to its effects over time.
• Cravings: Ketamine addiction elicits powerful urges to use the drug, driven by the intense dissociative and hallucinogenic effects it produces. These cravings become overwhelming, prompting repeated use.
• Withdrawal Symptoms: When ketamine use is reduced or stopped, users are assailed by withdrawal symptoms such as sweating, shaking, nausea, and headaches. This is because the body adapts to the absence of the drug, which it has become dependent on.
• Impaired Coordination: Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that affects motor control. Prolonged use impairs coordination and balance, provoking clumsiness or difficulty with tasks that necessitate fine motor skills.
• Numbness or Tingling: One of the effects of ketamine on the nervous system is setting off sensations of numbness or tingling, particularly in the limbs. This is due to the drug’s action on nerve receptors, which alter sensory perception during and after use.

Behavioral Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction

The behavioral symptoms of ketamine addiction are listed below:

• Compulsive Use: Individuals addicted to ketamine feel a strong, uncontrollable urge to use the drug, even when it is negatively affecting their daily lives. This behavior stems from the drug’s ability to modify brain chemistry, reinforcing the need to seek out the substance despite consequences.
• Neglect of Responsibilities: As ketamine use escalates, individuals begin to neglect their personal, professional, and social obligations. The preoccupation with obtaining and using the drug takes precedence over everyday responsibilities, such as work, school, or family commitments.
• Secretive Behavior: People addicted to ketamine engage in secretive behavior, hiding their use from family, friends, or colleagues. This is driven by shame or a desire to conceal the extent of their addiction, which encourages further isolation.
• Risk-Taking Behavior: Addiction to ketamine pushes individuals to engage in risky activities, such as using the drug in unsafe environments or combining it with other substances to intensify its effects. This behavior comes from impeded judgment caused by ketamine’s impact on the brain.
• Inability to Stop or Cut Down: Despite experiencing negative consequences, individuals struggling with ketamine addiction find it difficult or impossible to minimize or stop their use. This is a hallmark sign of addiction, where the compulsion to use the drug overrides the awareness of its damaging effects.

Psychological Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction

The psychological symptoms of ketamine addiction are listed below:

• Mood Swings: Ketamine use aggravates rapid and extreme changes in mood, oscillating from euphoria to depression or irritability. These fluctuations are tied to the drug’s effects on brain chemistry, specifically on neurotransmitters that govern mood.
• Anxiety: Protracted ketamine use poses heightened levels of anxiety, especially when the drug’s effects begin to wear off. Users feel a sense of impending doom or paranoia, which worsens with unremitting utility.
• Hallucinations: Ketamine is known for its dissociative properties, which evoke vivid hallucinations. Users face visual or auditory distortions that transform their perception of reality, a psychological symptom that intensifies with addiction.
• Dissociation and Depersonalization: Ketamine engenders a sense of detachment from the body or surroundings, known as dissociation. Users perceive as though they are outside of their own body or detached from reality, a symptom that is more pronounced with continued use.
• Preoccupation with Ketamine: People addicted to ketamine are mentally consumed by thoughts of obtaining and using the drug. This obsessive focus on the substance interferes with daily functioning and overshadows other aspects of life.

What Are the Causes of Ketamine Addiction?

The causes of ketamine addiction include genetics, environment, peer pressure, self-medication, and psychological factors. These factors interact and contribute to an individual’s susceptibility to developing an addiction to ketamine, with some individuals being more vulnerable due to a combination of genetic predisposition and external influences.

• Genetics: Genetics intensify addiction vulnerability. People with a family history of substance use disorders are more likely to have an addiction to ketamine due to inherited traits affecting the brain’s reward system.

Research from the University of Utah’s Genetic Science Learning Center, as showcased in “Genes Affect Your Risk for Addiction,” illustrates that genetic factors account for 40-60% of an individual’s susceptibility to addiction.

• Environment: A person’s environment, such as growing up in a household where drug use is standard or living in a high-stress environment, augments the likelihood of ketamine use and addiction. Environmental factors shape attitudes toward drug use and normalize it.

The study “Ketamine Sensitization: Influence of Dose, Environment, Social Isolation, and Treatment Interval” by Trujillo K. & Heller C. 2021 examined ketamine sensitization in rats, testing doses of 5, 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg. Experiment 1 showed sensitization at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg doses. Experiment 2 found greater sensitization (20 mg/kg) in a novel environment compared to home cages. Experiment 3 showed no sensitization in socially isolated rats, but it occurred in pair-housed rats. Experiment 4 found sensitization (20 or 50 mg/kg) was similar whether administered daily or every 3 days. The findings suggest ketamine sensitization is influenced by environmental and social factors, which relate to addiction development in humans.

• Peer Pressure: Peer influence is a common cause of addiction, especially during adolescence or young adulthood. The desire to fit in or impress friends makes individuals experiment with ketamine, elevating the risk of addiction as use becomes more frequent.
• Self-Medication: Some individuals turn to ketamine as a way to cope with underlying mental health issues, such as depression, anxiety, or trauma. While it furnishes temporary relief, self-medicating with ketamine ultimately sparks dependence and addiction.
• Psychological Factors: Psychological factors like stress, trauma, and unresolved mental health issues exacerbate the development of ketamine addiction. Individuals use ketamine to escape detrimental emotions or mental distress, reinforcing the cycle of addiction.

What Are the Effects of Ketamine Addiction?

The effects of ketamine addiction are compromised motor coordination, bladder damage (such as frequent urination and incontinence), liver damage, cardiovascular problems, memory loss, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, depression, hallucinations, and a disconnection from reality. Long-term effects encompass cognitive impairments, emotional instability, persistent depressive symptoms, and a nascent probability of getting other substance use disorders. 

Ketamine misuse, recognized for its dissociative properties since the 1990s, remains an issue. In England and Wales, prevalence peaked at 0.8% during 2019–2020, with the highest usage observed among individuals aged 16–24, at 3.2%. Although less prevalent in older adults, their misuse warrants attention. Despite these statistics, major gaps exist in understanding the epidemiology of ketamine, including usage frequency, contexts, and evolving trends. General practitioners are vital in identifying and addressing misuse through screening, counseling, and referral to specialized treatment, as detailed by Beerten et al. 2023 in “Ketamine Misuse: An Update for Primary Care.”

The physical, mental, and delayed effects of ketamine addiction are given below:

Physical Effects of Ketamine Addiction

The physical effects of ketamine addiction are listed below:

• Sedation: Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic, and chronic use brings about excessive drowsiness or sedation, making users feel lethargic and disconnected from their environment.
• Dizziness: Long-term use weakens balance and coordination, educing feelings of dizziness or lightheadedness, which expands the risk of falls and injuries.
• Clumsiness: Ketamine affects motor skills, making users appear uncoordinated, clumsy, and perilous when performing tasks that demand precision.
• Slurred speech: As a result of ketamine’s depressant effects on the nervous system, users come across difficulty in speaking clearly, which hinders communication and invokes social isolation.
• Loss of consciousness: High doses of ketamine generate unconsciousness or a near-comatose state, making users unresponsive to external stimuli and putting them at risk of accidental injury or overdose.
• Unresponsiveness to stimuli: Users are less responsive to their surroundings, a condition called dissociation, where they feel detached from reality and unable to react appropriately.
• Slow breathing: Ketamine slows down the respiratory system, diminishing oxygen intake, and potential respiratory failure, certainly in cases of overdose.
• Cardiovascular issues: Chronic ketamine use has ramifications on heart health where more blood pressure and irregular heart rate inflame long-term cardiovascular risks.
• Nausea: Ketamine irritates the stomach to occasion nausea or vomiting, especially when used in high doses or over an extended period.
• Muscle stiffening: Regular use of ketamine evinces muscle rigidity or spasms, making movement painful and impacting mobility.
• Urinary tract issues: Ketamine addiction has been linked to bladder dysfunction, prompting continual urination, urgency, and, in severe cases, bladder damage or ulceration.

Mental Effects of Ketamine Addiction

The mental effects of ketamine addiction are listed below:

• Diminished attention: Chronic use of ketamine affects the brain’s ability to focus, thus difficulties in sustaining attention and making it hard for users to concentrate on tasks.
• Memory loss: Long-term use of ketamine deposits memory deficits, affecting both short-term and long-term memory, and evoking challenges in learning and retaining information.

Long-term recreational ketamine use is associated with reduced gray matter volume, decreased white matter integrity, and lower functional thalamocortical and corticocortical connectivity. These neuroanatomical changes explain the cognitive and psychiatric effects observed in chronic users, such as memory impairment and reduced executive functioning. The findings are based on a systematic review of 16 studies, including 440 chronic users (average use: 2.4 g/day over 2–9.7 years), 259 drug-free controls, and 44 poly-drug controls, highlighting the need for efforts to curb ketamine abuse as mentioned “Brain Changes Associated With Long-Term Ketamine Abuse” by Strous et al. 2022.

• Hallucinations: Ketamine induces visual, auditory, and tactile hallucinations, pushing users to perceive things that are not present, which is distressing and disorienting.
• Confusion: Users experience mental confusion, characterized by disorientation and inability to make sense of their surroundings, associated with the drug’s impact on cognitive functions.
• Paranoia: Ketamine use stimulates heightened anxiety and paranoia, hence users feel fearful, suspicious, or distrustful, especially in social settings.
• Unease and anxiety: Continued use of ketamine excites persistent feelings of anxiety and unease, which go on long after the immediate effects of the drug have worn off.

Delayed Effects of Ketamine Addiction

The delayed effects of ketamine addiction are listed below:

• Bladder pain and ulcers: Chronic ketamine use brings about ketamine bladder syndrome, characterized by bladder pain, frequent urination, and ulcers in the bladder lining, which solidifies long-term damage and the need for medical intervention.
• Kidney issues: Long-term use of ketamine has been linked to kidney damage, compromising kidney function, or possible kidney failure, as the drug strains renal processes over time.
• Chronic stomach pain: Ketamine users experience persistent stomach pain, related to gastrointestinal issues, which develop as a long-term side effect of ketamine’s toxic impact on the digestive system.
• Depression: Prolonged ketamine use has been associated with the rise of depressive symptoms, especially after the drug’s euphoric effects wear off, sparking a cycle of addiction and worsening mood disorders.
• Longer-term memory deficits: Long-term ketamine abuse has lasting memory impairment, specifically affecting the ability to form new memories and recall previously learned information.

What Are the Withdrawal Symptoms of Ketamine Addiction?

The withdrawal symptoms of ketamine addiction are vivid nightmares, insomnia, and delirium, which disrupt cognitive functioning and emotional stability. Paranoia, suicidal thoughts, and increased heart rate are frequently reported, alongside tremors and heightened anxiety. The withdrawal symptoms of ketamine addiction are physical and psychological arising from the brain and body’s adaptation to the drug’s presence. These symptoms emerge as ketamine disrupts neurotransmitter systems, and the anatomy struggles to regain balance after its absence.

Ketamine, widely used for treatment-resistant depression (TRD), poses huge abuse risks. A review of 65 studies (55 preclinical and 10 clinical) found that (R, S)-ketamine and (S)-ketamine have greater abuse latency compared to (R)-ketamine, which is safer at antidepressant-relevant doses in rodents. Clinical data suggests that ketamine, when administered in professionally controlled settings, does not lead to dependence or misuse, although most studies were retrospective and lacked standardized psychological assessments. Further trials are recommended, particularly for TRD patients with substance use disorders, as elaborated in “The Abuse Liability of Ketamine: A Scoping Review” by Tuyen et al. 2022.

Common withdrawal symptoms of ketamine addiction are given below:

• Nightmares: Vivid, disturbing dreams that disrupt sleep occur due to ketamine’s effect on REM sleep patterns and its lingering impact on the brain’s memory and emotional processing centers.
• Insomnia: The inability to fall or stay asleep arises because ketamine disrupts natural sleep cycles, profound deep sleep, leaving users restless and fatigued.
• Delirium: Confusion and disorientation stem from ketamine’s imposition on the brain’s glutamate system for normal cognitive functioning and memory.
• Paranoia: Persistent, irrational fears develop because of ketamine’s alterations to brain circuits related to trust and emotional regulation.
• Suicidal Thoughts: Depressive episodes and emotional instability due to the drug’s effect on serotonin and dopamine levels, creating a rebound effect when usage stops.
• Increased Heart Rate: Palpitations from heightened stress as ketamine withdrawal activates the body’s fight-or-flight response by discomposing the autonomic nervous system.
• Tremors: Uncontrollable shaking or trembling elicited by the nervous system’s overactivity, as the brain attempts to restore equilibrium after long-haul ketamine exposure.
• Anxiety: Intense unease and worry are commonplace because ketamine withdrawal affects the brain’s GABA and glutamate balance for emotional stability.

What Are the Treatments for Ketamine Addiction?

The treatments for ketamine addiction are detoxification, therapy, and support groups. Each approach focuses on eliminating physical dependency and tackling psychological triggers. Common treatments for ketamine addiction are given below:

Detoxification

Detoxification is the first step in ketamine addiction treatment, focusing on removing the drug from the body under medical supervision. Detoxification aids individuals in managing withdrawal symptoms safely for those with severe dependence. Recovery lasts 1 to 2 weeks, with medical supervision minimizing withdrawal risks depending on the severity of the addiction. While detox is effective in clearing the drug from the system, it does not superscribe the underlying psychological addiction, making further treatment necessary.

Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

Inpatient and outpatient treatments provide structured environments for individuals recovering from ketamine addiction. Inpatient treatment involves staying at a rehabilitation facility, where patients receive 24/7 care and counseling. Outpatient treatment allows individuals to live at home while attending regular therapy sessions. Inpatient treatment offers intensive care, but is more disruptive, while outpatient treatment provides flexibility, but is less intensive. Both types of treatment require a commitment to therapy for long-term recovery.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns that contribute to their ketamine addiction. CBT teaches coping strategies to manage cravings and stress, making it highly effective in treating psychological dependence. CBT has had success in treating various forms of substance addiction, including ketamine, by equipping individuals with the tools to avoid relapse. CBT is a long-term treatment option, lasting several months, and is amalgamated with other therapies.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is highly effective in addiction treatment, with success rates ranging from 50-75%, massively cutting down substance use and supporting long-term recovery. A large-scale study involving 33,243 patients revealed that after 18 sessions, CBT achieved a recovery rate of 62.2%, compared to 44.4% for counseling. After 20 sessions, CBT maintained a recovery rate of 62.4%, while counseling dropped to 42.6%. These findings suggest that while both therapies are beneficial, CBT tends to yield higher recovery rates as the number of sessions increases, as demonstrated by Pybis, Jo, et al. 2017 in “The Comparative Effectiveness and Efficiency of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Generic Counselling in the Treatment of Depression: Evidence from the 2nd UK National Audit of Psychological Therapies.”

Support Groups

Support groups, such as Narcotics Anonymous (NA), provide a community of individuals who share their experiences and support each other in recovery. These groups offer emotional support and help individuals stay accountable. Participation in support groups is beneficial for long-term recovery and relapse prevention. The advantages are a strong support network and a sense of belonging, though the success of support groups rests on individual commitment and engagement.

56% of individuals who stay in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for over 90 days continue attending meetings throughout the rest of the year, as spotlighted by 12steps.com in the 2008 study “Alcoholics Anonymous Recovery Outcome Rates: Contemporary Myth and Misinterpretation.”

How to Prevent Ketamine Addiction?

To prevent ketamine addiction, you need:

• Education and awareness: Understanding the risks and long-term effects of ketamine use helps discourage misuse.
• Controlled medical use: Ketamine is only used under medical supervision for approved conditions like severe depression or chronic pain.
• Developing healthy coping mechanisms: Engaging in therapy, exercise, and mindfulness practices helps manage stress and emotions without resorting to substance use.
• Setting clear boundaries: Avoid environments or social groups that encourage drug use.
• Regular monitoring: Routine check-ins with healthcare professionals ensure ketamine is not misused when prescribed.
• Parental guidance for youth: Open communication and education about substance misuse reduce the likelihood of experimentation.
• Support networks: Building a solid network of friends, family, or community groups promotes healthy habits and accountability.
• Drug education programs: Participating in programs that highlight the dangers of ketamine addiction raises awareness and deters use.

Each of these strategies strengthens the ability to avoid ketamine misuse and the associated risk of addiction. 

What Are the Dangers of Mixing Ketamine and Other Drugs?

The dangers of mixing ketamine and other drugs are severe health complications such as respiratory depression, coma, or even death when combined with depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines. Mixing ketamine with stimulants like cocaine or amphetamines aggravates irregular heart rhythms, high blood pressure, or heart failure. 

Combining ketamine with opioids increases the risk of overdose and respiratory arrest. These interactions also weaken judgment, escalating the probability of accidents, risky behaviors, and the nascence of substance dependency. Ketamine is present either alone or mixed with substances such as MDMA, amphetamine, methamphetamine, or cocaine.

A systematic review study reviewed 34 articles, comprising 18 fatal cases and 16 overdose incidents. Among the 312 overdose cases and 138 deaths, ketamine was implicated in 89.1% and 79% of cases, respectively. Poly-substance use was mentioned in 53% of the reports. No fatal cases or overdoses were linked to therapeutic ketamine use as an antidepressant. While the review raises concerns about ketamine misuse in recreational settings, it highlights ketamine’s safety in medical applications, where it is recognized as a necessary medicine by the World Health Organization as seen in “Overdoses and Deaths Related to the Use of Ketamine and Its Analogues: A Systematic Review” by Tharcila et al. 2023.

How Dangerous Is Mixing Ketamine and Alcohol?

It is dangerous mixing ketamine and alcohol due to the compounding depressant effects on the central nervous system. This combination precipitates hazardous drowsiness, loss of coordination, and impaired cognitive function, elevating the risk of accidents or injuries. Both substances slow breathing and when taken together, they rocket the onset of respiratory depression, which brings about coma or death. Mixing ketamine and alcohol damages judgment, prompting risky behaviors and a higher incidence of substance dependency.

Controlled studies involving volunteers recruited from party scenes revealed a considerable association, with at least 65% of ketamine users also consuming alcohol, as highlighted by Kobayashi et al. 2022 in “Ketamine Plus Alcohol: What We Know and What We Can Expect About This.”

Can You Overdose on Ketamine?

Yes, you can overdose on ketamine, especially when combined with other substances. Overdose symptoms are respiratory depression, unconsciousness, and hallucinations. Rapid medical intervention prevents fatalities. Between July 2019 and June 2023, ketamine was identified in less than 1% of overdose deaths, with 24 cases involving ketamine as the sole drug. During this timeframe, the proportion of overdose deaths where ketamine was detected in toxicology reports rose from 0.3% (47 deaths) to 0.5% (107 deaths), according to a 2024 Centers for Disease Control report by Vivolo-Kantor et al., titled “Notes from the Field: Ketamine Detection and Involvement in Drug Overdose Deaths — United States, July 2019–June 2023.”

What Are the Symptoms of Ketamine Overdose?

Symptoms of ketamine overdose are severe respiratory depression, which slows or stops breathing, posing a life-threatening risk. Overdose actualizes intense hallucinations, disorientation, and extreme confusion, further destroying cognitive function. Loss of consciousness is another symptom, progressing into a coma. Other signs are irregular heart rhythms, elevated blood pressure, and disabled motor functions, which amplify the risk of accidents or injuries. These symptoms need immediate medical attention to prevent permanent damage or fatal outcomes.

Are There Any FDA-Approved Medications to Treat Ketamine Overdose?

No, there are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for ketamine overdose. Treatment focuses on symptomatic relief and supportive care, such as oxygen therapy and intravenous fluids.

Current medical investigation targets the reduction the intense dissociative effects of ketamine to ameliorate its safety and efficacy for therapeutic use in conditions like depression, as demonstrated in a drug trial where prolonged-release ketamine (KET01) showed fewer dissociative symptoms relative to Spravato in “Med Check: Opioid Overdose, Ketamine Side Effects, Schizophrenia,” by D’Arrigo T. & Zagorski N. 2023.