Ketamine Category: HallucinogensSedatives
(also called: special K, K, vitamin K)
How it’s used
Ketamine is an anaesthetic. You can get it as a white powder to snort, a liquid to inject or a tablet to swallow.
Short-term effects
- Depending on how you take it, the effects generally start within a few minutes and last 1-3 hours
- You can have an ‘out of body’ experience
- You may have hallucinations, numbness and muscle spasms
- You may also feel sick or vomit
Long-term effects
- If you use ketamine regularly, you may get ‘flashbacks’
- Loss of appetite and weight loss
- Ketamine is linked to many mental health problems including panic attacks, insomnia, delusions and suicide
- Can cause depression, memory problems and psychotic episodes
Other dangers
- If inject it, ketamine may damage your veins and lead to abscesses and thrombosis
- You risk HIV and hepatitis if you share needles
If you are pregnant
Do not use if you are pregnant as we don’t know enough about the risks to your baby
Addictive
You have a fairly high risk of becoming psychologically addicted, so you find it hard to cope without it.
Withdrawal
No known physical withdrawal symptoms
What help is available?
- Self-help support such as Narcotics Anonymous
- Counselling or psychotherapy
- Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture
- Medical support if necessary
- Residential treatment programmes (clinics)
- Aftercare
- One to one or group family support
- Contact the Drugs Helpline 1800 459 459 to find out about options in your area
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