Ketamine is a powerful dissociative anesthetic. This potent prescription drug has a significant risk of abuse, addiction, and life-threatening health consequences.

Recreational ketamine abuse and misusing prescription ketamine can have severe short and long-term effects. This article will explore the long-term risks of ketamine abuse.

If you or someone you love struggles with ketamine abuse or addiction, help is available at the Carolina Center for Recovery. Contact our specialists now to learn about our effective treatment and support programs. You can also reach out with questions or to schedule an appointment.

What is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a prescription drug. It is a dissociative anesthetic that produces hallucinogenic side effects.[1] In the past, doctors and veterinarians used ketamine as a sedative or anesthetic during medical procedures. Today, medical experts are exploring the use of Ketamine in the treatment of depression and other mental health conditions.

People sometimes use ketamine recreationally, meaning without a prescription for it. They may like the effects of ketamine, including dissociation and relaxation.

People who use ketamine recreationally are at risk of serious, immediate consequences. Long-term ketamine abuse is also associated with many health and personal risks. It is essential to understand the risk of ketamine abuse and seek treatment as soon as possible.

What are the Side Effects of Ketamine?

Doctors and veterinarians have used ketamine as a sedative and anesthetic for over 50 years.[2] This drug can change people’s sensory perceptions. It can cause feelings of detachment from a person’s environment or themselves.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classified ketamine as a Schedule III drug.[1] This classification means that it is illegal to use ketamine outside a medical setting.

Despite this, many people use ketamine recreationally. People may steal ketamine from veterinary clinics or medical offices. In recent years, ketamine’s popularity has grown. Users take it to get the drug’s dissociative effects, which can last for hours or days.

In addition to the desirable effects of ketamine, recreational use of this drug may lead to unwanted physical effects, including:[1,2]

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Loss of coordination
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Disorientation
  Abdominal pain
• Auditory or visual hallucinations
• Elevated body temperature

People who abuse ketamine may also experience distressing psychological side effects, including:

• Paranoia
• Anxiety
• A feeling of detachment from yourself or the environment
• Feelings as though you do not exist
• A sense of uneasiness
• Memory loss
• Difficulty maintaining focus and attention

People may experience unwanted short-term effects of ketamine after taking low doses of the drug. There is no safe amount of ketamine people can use outside a medical setting. All recreational ketamine use is abuse.

People who abuse ketamine may be at increased risk of abusing other drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamines, and ecstasy. Combining ketamine and other drugs puts users at increased risk for dangerous side effects and life-threatening complications.

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The Long-Term Effects of Ketamine Abuse

Addiction and medical experts need to do more research to understand the long-term effects of ketamine abuse. While some research into dissociative drug abuse exists, it is not enough to fully understand the long-term impact of ketamine abuse.

However, research into long-term ketamine abuse shows an increased risk for serious health complications. Ketamine abuse can lead to signs of physical dependence, including:[3]

• Tolerance (needing higher doses of ketamine to get the desired effects)
• Cravings
• Withdrawal symptoms

Research from 2022 showed that long periods of ketamine abuse can change the structure and functioning of a person’s brain. Research also shows that ketamine abuse increases the risk of cognitive impairment and treatment-resistant depression.[4]

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), ketamine abuse may cause long-term adverse effects, including:[5]

• An increase in blood pressure
• Ongoing abdominal pain
• Bladder pain
• Kidney damage
• Long-term memory problems

People who abuse ketamine may take high doses, putting them at increased risk for overdose. It is important to be aware of the signs of ketamine abuse and seek substance use disorder (SUD) treatment as quickly as possible.

Recognizing and Treating Ketamine Abuse

People who abuse ketamine may like the way the drug makes them feel. However, ketamine induces high blood pressure, kidney damage, and other problems that can cause long-term harm.

It is essential to recognize a problem and seek ketamine addiction treatment as soon as possible. Here are some of the signs someone may be living with ketamine abuse or addiction:

• They use larger doses of ketamine or take it more often
• They spend a lot of time and energy getting, using, and recovering from using ketamine
• They begin to neglect their responsibilities, hobbies, and relationships
• They experience new or worsening mental health symptoms
• They have legal or financial trouble related to their ketamine use
• They have cravings for ketamine

People with ketamine addiction cannot simply choose to stop using it. Most require comprehensive treatment and support that includes:

• Medically-supported detox programs
• Medications
• Mental health treatment
• Psychotherapy
• Relapse prevention education
• Holistic therapies like nutrition support, art therapy, mindfulness, and more
• Aftercare planning and support programs

Comprehensive treatment programs use a combination of evidence-based therapies to address the complex roots of substance abuse. Getting help can give people the tools they need to overcome addiction and move forward into a healthier future.

Find Treatment Now

If you or someone you love struggles with ketamine abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Contact the Carolina Center for Recovery specialists to explore our holistic treatment programs or to schedule an intake assessment.

References:

1. United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Ketamine
2. National Institute of Health (NIH): Ketamine
3. Science Direct: The abuse liability of ketamine: A scoping review of preclinical and clinical studies
4. National Institute of Health (NIH): Brain Changes Associated With Long-Term Ketamine Abuse, A Systematic Review
5. National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Ketamine