Ketamine - Drug Information From Our California Treatment Center
The drug-fueled rave scene of the late 1990s and early 2000s introduced America’s youth to drugs like Ketamine that had either never existed before or were never widely abused.
Every decade seems to bring about a new batch of dangerous and possibly deadly drugs. One of these drugs that has taken a serious toll on many people unaware of what they were putting in their bodies has been the pharmaceutical, Ketamine. Often thought of as a variation of ecstasy, Ketamine is its own unique and potentially deadly drug.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a synthetic drug manufactured as a dissociative anesthetic, mainly used legally by veterinarians to sedate animals for surgical procedures or transport. It is also used on humans, although more frequently in developing nations than America.
Since the late 1990s, Ketamine has become increasingly popular as people discovered that it has effects similar to PCP. Ketamine is also classified as a “date rape drug” due to its ability to immobilize a victim and instill amnesia.
The majority of Ketamine on the street is manufactured internationally, notably Mexico, or has been stolen from or sold by veterinarians.
What does Ketamine look like?
Ketamine can be found as a liquid, a white tablet, or most commonly as an odorless and tasteless white powder that dissolves completely in liquid.
What are its street names?
- Bump
- Cat Valium
- Green K
- Honey oil
- Jet
- Ket
- Kit Kat
- Purple
- Special LA Coke
- Special K
- Super acid
- Super C
- Vitamin K
How is it used?
Ketamine can either be ingested (as a pill, or dissolved in liquid), snorted as a powder, or mixed with marijuana or tobacco and smoked. As it comes in liquid form, it can also be injected into the muscle, although this is rare due to the potency and unpredictable side effects of the drug.
What are its effects?
The effects of Ketamine are wide ranging and include a euphoric dream-like state with visual hallucinations. A user may also suffer impaired motor functions, increased blood pressure, and amnesia. Similar to PCP, a user of Ketamine will often feel very little pain.
The most distinctive effect of Ketamine on a user is a detachment of their mind from their body. Often, a feeling of floating above themselves, or sinking into the ground and leaving their body behind is described. Many find this feeling incredibly distressing, likening it to a near death experience. The experience of feeling disassociated with your own body is known as being in a “K-hole” and is similar to a “bad trip” on LSD.
What are its dangers?
Ketamine is a powerful drug and has many dangers. Due to its ability to make the user disconnect from their bodies, and having blocked pain receptors, it is very easy for someone on Ketamine to injure themselves without even realizing it; and as the drug also affects the motor functions, injuries from falling are very likely. The “K-hole” affect can also be so stressful, that in combination with the high blood pressure the drug causes, people with preexisting heart conditions or respiratory illnesses are at serious risk.
Ketamine is also often linked to sexual assaults due to its amnesiac effects and immobilizing properties, whether a victim is slipped the drug or they take it knowingly. It is odorless and tasteless and will dissolve quickly in a drink. Sometimes the term “Roofie” is used for Ketamine when it is slipped unknowingly into a victims drink.
What to do you do if someone you know and love is experimenting with Ketamine?
Ketamine is a very powerful drug, and its use most likely means other drugs are being experimented with as well. Please explain to them the potential dangers of the path they are on, and if they need help with their addiction to this or any other drug/alcohol, please call our drug rehab centers anytime at 1-866-323-5609.
