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Ketamine Category: HallucinogensSedatives

(also called: special K, K, vitamin K)

How it’s used

Ketamine is an anaesthetic. You can get it as a white powder to snort, a liquid to inject or a tablet to swallow.

Short-term effects

• Depending on how you take it, the effects generally start within a few minutes and last 1-3 hours
• You can have an ‘out of body’ experience
• You may have hallucinations, numbness and muscle spasms
• You may also feel sick or vomit 

Long-term effects

• If you use ketamine regularly, you may get ‘flashbacks’
• Loss of appetite and weight loss
• Ketamine is linked to many mental health problems including panic attacks, insomnia, delusions and suicide
• Can cause depression, memory problems and psychotic episodes

Other dangers

• If inject it, ketamine may damage your veins and lead to abscesses and thrombosis
• You risk HIV and hepatitis if you share needles

If you are pregnant

Do not use if you are pregnant as we don’t know enough about the risks to your baby

Addictive

You have a fairly high risk of becoming psychologically addicted, so you find it hard to cope without it.

Withdrawal

No known physical withdrawal symptoms

What help is available?

• Self-help support such as Narcotics Anonymous
• Counselling or psychotherapy
• Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture
• Medical support if necessary
• Residential treatment programmes (clinics)
• Aftercare
• One to one or group family support
• Contact the Drugs Helpline 1800 459 459 to find out about options in your area

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