Ketamine Addiction

Ketamine drug, or Special K as it is more commonly called on the streets, is a drug that is used in human and veterinary medicine. The primary use of Ketamine is as an anesthetic.  It is administered before surgery, or a medical or dental procedure, to produce loss of consciousness.  It can be used alone or in conjunction with another medication, usually a sedative. Its primary use is on animals, and when used for legitimate purposes, the drug is administered in liquid form, either intravenously or intramuscularly

Ketamine drug facts: A hydrochloride salt usually manufactured under the trade names, Ketalar, Ketaset, and Ketanest. Pharmacologically, Ketamine is classed as a receptor antagonist.  In potent doses, Ketamine binds opioid receptors type 2 in neuroblastoma cells. When administered to patients it produces a condition known as “dissociative anesthesia.”This is a type of anesthesia producing catalepsy, catatonia, and amnesia, but does not necessarily render the patient completely unconscious.

In 1999, the US put Ketamine on the list of controlled substances.  It can be consumed in drinks, injected, snorted, or added to joints and cigarettes. Ketamine is a “date rape” drug.  It is also structurally related to PCP, a powerful hallucinogenic. Shortand long-term effects include increased blood pressure and heart rate, nausea and vomiting, numbness, depression, amnesia, hallucinations and potentially fatal respiratory problems. Although Ketamine isn’t addicting like, morphine, heroin, or alcohol, Ketamine users can develop a powerful psychological addiction and “crave” the drug. At high doses, users experience an effect referred to as “K-Hole,” an “out of body” or “near-death” experience.

Unlike opiates, which are physically addicting, Ketamine takes hold of the mind. This is a mental bond that can be hard to break.  Drug treatment in Florida follows protocol for this type of addiction. The user first goes through the detoxification process, then counselling is offered.   Detoxification from Ketamine can be in as little as 72 hours or may take several weeks.  Detoxification can be done on an inpatient or outpatient basis, but a typical user will choose to be admitted. This method will offer the best chance of recovery.