Ketamine
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KETAMINE
Version 1 - Published: May 2024 - Review Due: June 2025 - Charity No. 1051757
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What is ketamine?.................................................................1
How is it used?.......................................................................1
How does ketamine make you feel?...................................2
Physical Health Risks...........................................................3
Mental Health Risks.............................................................4
Ketamine Addiction and Dependence..............................5
The Law Around Ketamine..................................................6
Your Experience On Ketamine Depends On......................7
Useful Contacts / Getting Help...........................................8
References.............................................................................9
CONTENTS
Some people ‘bomb’ ketamine, meaning that it
is wrapped in a cigarette paper and swallowed.
When taken orally, ketamine usually takes
around 20 - 60 minutes to kick in.
WHAT IS KETAMINE?
Ketamine is an anaesthetic licensed for use in human and animal
medicine. The non-medical use of ketamine became popular in the
UK in the 1990's rave scene, often in tablet forms sold as ‘ecstasy’
due to it being cheaper to produce. The illicit (illegal) form of
ketamine sold on the street is a dissociative drug, and normally
comes as a grainy white or brown crystalline powder. Ketamine can
also come in tablet form, but this is rare.
HOW IS IT USED?
Most people who take ketamine will snort
it. Users often talk of taking a ‘bump’,
meaning that the snort a small amount of
ketamine. When snorted, ketamine
normally takes around 15 minutes to kick in.
Ketamine can also be injected by regular users
in order to get a bigger hit. Ketamine can also
be taken as a pill. Both of these methods are
the least common ways to do ketamine.
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EFFECTS
RISKS
May feel dream-like
Confusion
Chilled and realxed
May feel nauseous (sick)
Become slower in movements
Become agitated
Stops you from feeling pain in
your body
Altered perception of space
and time, which may cause
hallucinations (see or hear
things that aren't there)
May feel detached from
reality
May lose the ability to move
(k-hole*)
HOW DOES KETAMINE
MAKE YOU FEEL?
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As ketamine is a general anaesthetic, it reduces sensations in the
body and the effects of the drug can last for a couple of hours
(see ‘Your experience on ketamine depends on...’ for different
factors that can affect this).
*K-HOLE = If you take too much ketamine, you may lose the
ability to move and go into a ‘k-hole’. This feels like your mind
and body have separated and you can’t do anything about it. K-
Hole’s are not only scary but dangerous too; disconnection from
the body can leave the user vulnerable to accidents and assault,
especially in disorienting environment’s such as a club or rave.
Urgent
need to
pee
Painful
pee
Blood-
stained
pee
Affected
kidneys
Uncontrolled
peeing
Abdominal
pain
Liver
damage
Although stopping the use of
ketamine can help,
sometimes the damage can
be so serious that the
bladder needs surgical repair
or even removal.
r
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PHYSICAL HEALTH RISKS
Approximately 3.8% of young people aged 16 - 24 have tried
ketamine in the last year (Census, 2023). Despite it’s growing
popularity, ketamine use carries many severe health risk that
many users aren’t aware of.
‘
’
If you experience any of these
symptoms and are a ketamine
user, consult your GP and let
them know you use ketamine.
It’s never to late to get help.
Becoming
delirious
Flashbacks
Short and long
term memory
damage
L
R
IS
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MENTAL HEALTH RISKS
As with any drug (defined as ‘a substance which has a
physiological effect when ingested or introduced into the body’),
ketamine alters your brain from it’s natural state which in turn
will effect your mental health.
Concentration
problems
Depression
Hallucinations
see ‘Useful Contacts’ if you are struggling with your mental
health
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KETAMINE ADDICTION
AND DEPENDENCE:
ADDICTION = Defined as compulsive substance abuse despite
negative consequences.
Ketamine is an addictive substance, mainly due to the sedative
feeling that individuals experience. Tolerance to ketamine builds
up very quickly therefore higher doses are needed to achieve the
desired effects, which not only puts the individual at risk of
becoming addicted but also at risk of overdosing.
DEPENDENCE = When the body physically relies on a drug.
This quick tolerance build up can lead individuals to take more
ketamine at a more frequent rate, which can cause your body to
become dependent on ketamine. Regular use can lead to
physical withdrawal symptoms when you try to stop or cut back.
Severe ketamine cravings
Less interested in things that
don’t involve ketamine
Hard to concentrate
Feel low and depressed
Tried stopping but wasn’t able
to
Need larger quantities to
maintain a high
If any of these statements
apply to you and you use
ketamine, you may be
addicted and at risk of
developing a dependence.
It is never too late to get
help. See ‘Useful Contacts’
for how to access help that
suits you.
Maximum penalty for
possession
Maximum penalty for
supply and production
Class A
Up to 7 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
Up to life in prison, an
unlimited fine or both.
Class B
Up to 5 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or
both.
Up to 14 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or
both.
Class C
Up to 2 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
Up to 14 years in prison,
an unlimited fine or both.
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THE LAW AROUND
KETAMINE
Ketamine is a Class B Drug, meaning that it is illegal to be found
carrying or using the drug (known as ‘possession’). It is also
illegal to give away or sell ketamine (known as ‘supply’), and is
considered a more serious offence.
Giving your friends ketamine or
sharing it with them can be
considered as ‘supply’, which
could get you time in prison.
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YOUR EXPERIENCE ON
KETAMINE DEPENDS ON
Not every person is going to experience drugs in the same way.
Factors that affect your experience on ketamine include:
How much of the drug you have taken,
and the amount of time between taking
more of the drug.
Your physical size, and if you have
eaten or drank anything before taking
the drug.
Environment and people. You’re likely to
have a bad experience if you’re in an unsafe
environment with people you don’t trust.
Any other drugs you have taken. Mixing
drugs is extremely risky, but some
mixtures are more dangerous than others.
Purity - street ketamine is sometimes cut
with other substances, but it is impossible
to tell if it’s been cut by looking at it
The Zone
Free confidential information and support for Young People:
01752 206626 - www.thezoneplymouth.co.uk
Harbour
Support for substance misuse:
01752 434343 - www.harbour.org.uk
Sharp
Support for substance misuse (young people up to age 18):
01752 434343 - THCPLTD.SHARP@nhs.net
www.harbour.org.uk/find-services/young-people
FRANK
Honest information about drugs:
0300 123 6600 - www.talktofrank.com
Youth Hub
Support for 16 - 24 year old's in developing skills, training,
education, careers and jobs in Plymouth:
www.skillslaunchpadplym.co.uk
Re-Solv
UK's solvent abuse charity:
01785 817885 - www.re-solv.org
Substance
Misuse
Resources
Harm reduction advice and information:
www.substancemisuseresources.co.uk
We Are With
You
Free confidential support on drugs, alcohol, mental health:
www.wearewithyou.org.uk
Narcotics
Anonymous
Information, support and advice on drug addiction:
0300 999 1212 - www.ukna.org
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USEFUL CONTACTS /
GETTING HELP
If you are in need of urgent help, call 999. Otherwise, these
contacts offer advice and help for issues related to
substance use and misuse in and around Plymouth.
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