Things to know

The down side

Although deaths from K overdoses are rare, the drug can cause:

• nausea
• feeling of losing time or control
• disorientation
• dizziness
• difficulty in moving
• blurred speech and sight
• frightening hallucinations.

Ketamine can lead to unconsciousness and vomiting; a dangerous mix.

A large enough dose can put the user in a K hole. They are cut off from their sense of self for between 45 and 90 minutes and will have difficulty moving, talking, swallowing or even breathing.

Problem use

Tolerance to K builds and more is needed to get the same effect. It's habit-forming and it's possible to become dependent on it, this is more likely if it's injected.

Anxiety, depression, suicidal urges, memory loss and other mental health problems may be linked to ketamine use, especially long-term use.

At risk

People might take ketamine by mistake, having bought ecstasy with K in it.

If used in public users can injure themselves under the drug's influence, be robbed or sexually assaulted. Moving or standing is dangerous as ketamine can have you quickly hitting the floor. Using the drug on your own is risky.

Injecting is more likely to lead to addiction and carries risk of abscesses, blood poisoning, heart infections, life threatening blood clots and, if sharing injecting equipment, the risk of HIV, hepatitis C and other infections.

K should be avoided by those with high blood pressure or heart or liver conditions or prone to seizures.

Someone in a K hole should be taken away from music and bright lights and talked to calmly and reassured they'll be OK.

Mixing with GHB, alcohol and other depressants

Mixing ketamine with alcohol and depressants (downers), like barbiturates, GHB and Valium, is dangerous due to the increased sedative effect: it can depress consciousness and breathing.

With HIV drugs

Some HIV drugs (protease inhibitors) cause higher levels of K in the body and potentially cause liver problems.

With tobacco or cannabis

As K is an anaesthetic, if you don't put out a cigarette or joint before taking it you risk burning yourself (or causing a fire if you cannot move).

The law

In January 2006 ketamine became a class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act.

Penalties

The penalty for possession is up to two years in prison and/or an unlimited fine.

The penalty for intending to supply is up to 14 years prison and/or an unlimited fine.

More information and support

For help and advice concerning drugs see the page of Useful info and support in the Power room on this website.