Ketamine is an anesthetic drug. Medical professionals use Ketamine to sedate patients during medical procedures. Some people may misuse it by taking the drug recreationally. While abusing Ketamine, people may experience sedation or a dissociative state called a “k-hole.”
This article will explore the risks of using Ketamine recreationally.
What you will learn:
- How Ketamine affects the body
- What a K-hole is and how long it lasts
- How to recognize and treat Ketamine addiction
- Where to find addiction treatment and recovery support
If you or someone you love struggles with Ketamine abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Get the help you need to work toward long-term recovery. Find treatment and support at Alamo Behavioral Health. Reach out to our intake team to learn about our substance use disorder (SUD) treatment programs or to schedule an appointment.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug. The FDA first approved this drug for medical use in 1970. Since that time, doctors have begun to explore Ketamine therapy to treat depression (especially treatment-resistant depression), anxiety, and other conditions.
Recreational Ketamine use is common. People may use high doses of Ketamine without a prescription for its sedative or euphoric effects. Users may steal Ketamine from veterinary clinics or buy it illegally from foreign markets.
Ketamine is available as a white or off-white powder that people make into capsules. People may also snort or smoke it. It is also available as a liquid that people can inject or mix into drinks.
Ketamine is gaining popularity in the U.S. Experts believe it is popular because it is relatively inexpensive when compared to other illicit drugs. However, only about 0.7% of the US population uses Ketamine recreationally.
What is a K-Hole?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic. People who take it recreationally may experience hallucinogenic or dissociative effects. Some people refer to a Ketamine high as a “k-hole.” A k-hole experience (falling into a k-hole) usually includes feeling detached from reality.
Some users sometimes describe a K-hole as an out-of-body experience. Others report feeling like a zombie or feel unsettled. Others describe it as a near-death experience they find terrifying.
The dissociative, disturbing effects of k-hole can occur whether someone takes a large or small dose.
What Does a K-Hole Feel Like?
People who fall into a K-hole describe the experience in different ways. People who take Ketamine can have very different experiences. However, here are some of the common effects of experiencing a K-hole.
Cognitive and emotional effects
Ketamine users may experience a range of psychological effects, including:
- Delusions
- Memory problems
- Anxiety and panic
- Paranoia
- Depression
- Dissociation
Physical effects
Ketamine abuse can cause many disturbing or dangerous physical effects. These include:
- Difficulty speaking or moving
- Nausea
- Changes in heart rate and blood pressure
- Loss of coordination
- Numbness throughout the body
- Dizziness
Ketamine can affect how your brain and body communicate. People in a K-hole may lose control of their bodies, putting them at risk of physical harm, accidents, and assaults.
The effects of Ketamine can last for 45 to 90 minutes. A K-hole can last as little as a few minutes or up to an hour or more.
The Effects and Risks of Ketamine Abuse
People who abuse Ketamine are at risk of physical and psychological side effects. The most common side effects of Ketamine include:
- Confusion
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- A sense of unease or anxiety
- Double vision
While Ketamine is considered safe when used under medical supervision, there are some known risks associated with the drug. These include:
- Instability of heart and blood vessel functioning
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Agitation or confusion
- Increased intracranial pressure
- Liver dysfunction
- Cognitive deficits, especially in children
People with a history of high blood pressure may have increased risks associated with Ketamine abuse, including increased risk of:
- Aneurysm
- Heart attack
- Aortic tear
People with certain mental health conditions or who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take Ketamine. It is essential for people to take Ketamine only under the careful supervision of a healthcare professional.
Recognizing Ketamine Overdose
People may attempt to fall into a K-hole by taking large doses of the drug. However, this can put people at risk of an overdose.
Symptoms of Ketamine overdose include:
- Excessive sedation
- Loss of consciousness
- Respiratory depression (slow, shallow breathing)
- Low blood pressure
- Slow heart rate
- Cardiac arrest (heart stopped)
- Seizure
- Coma
A Ketamine overdose can be life-threatening, especially when combined with alcohol or other drugs. If you suspect someone is experiencing an overdose of Ketamine or another drug, call 911 right away. Wait with the person until help arrives.
Treating Ketamine Addiction
People who use Ketamine recreationally may develop a psychological or physical dependence on it. Prolonged, heavy, or frequent Ketamine use can cause changes in the brain and body. These changes can make it very difficult to stop taking the drug on your own.
Comprehensive addiction treatment can help you understand and overcome the physical, emotional, and behavioral aspects. Effective treatment allows people to work toward lifelong recovery.
Comprehensive addiction treatment programs help people identify and treat the complex roots of their addictions. Treatment plans may include:
- Medical care and medication management
- Behavioral therapies
- Mental health treatment
- Relapse prevention education
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Holistic therapies like exercise, nutrition counseling, mindfulness, and more
- Aftercare planning
Treatment programs are available at the inpatient and outpatient levels. People must receive the targeted, individualized treatment they need to meet their goals.
Find Treatment Now
If you or someone you love struggle with Ketamine abuse or addiction, you are not alone. Contact the Alamo Behavioral Health specialists to learn about our treatment and recovery support programs or to schedule an intake appointment.
References:
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Ketamine
- Psychiatry Online: Ketamine: A Review for Clinicians
- Science Direct: Ketamine abuse potential and use disorder