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Effects of KETAMINE MIXING WITHOTHER DRUGS

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Effects of KETAMINE MIXING WITHOTHER DRUGS Ketamine: the facts WHAT IS KETAMINE? effects of KETAMINE Ketamine hydrochloride is a depressant and acts on the The immediate effects of ketamine • insomnia central nervous system as an anaesthetic agent. It is may be experienced within 30 seconds • erratic, hostile bizarre behaviour used to make the body insensitive to surgical treatment. (if taken intravenously) to 20 minutes (if • feelings of panic and terror It may be used in combination with other medicines to taken orally) and can last for one to three • depression induce anaesthesia. It works by stopping the brain from hours. • amnesia interpreting messages of pain. What ketamine does to you depends on • “near death” experience. Ketamine is also used for veterinary purposes. whether you use ketamine on its own or People who use ketamine may fall into Ongoing and heavy use of ketamine may lead to with alcohol or other depressant drugs. an anaesthetised state, the ‘k-hole’. The a dependence and tolerance to ketamine, however, Physical effects may include: experience of being in a k-hole varies addiction is unlikely to occur when ketamine but generally involves dissociation, • sweating hydrochloride is used as prescribed for anaesthesia. which may include feeling socially and • impaired motor coordination physically detached or disconnected from The non-medical use of ketamine is illegal. • blurred vision everyone else, having hallucinations and Street names include: Special K, K, Cat Tranquilizer, ket, • twitching eye movement experiencing a distorted sense of time Ketaset, Ketalar®, kitkat, super K, Vitamin K, Lady K. • constricted pupils and space. • slurred speech One of the more serious effects of using • increased libido ketamine is that a user may unknowingly • breathing rate increased but shallow harm themselves. There is the potential How is it used illicitly? • increased heart rate and blood for people to cut or burn themselves while pressure Ketamine can be in a clear liquid form or a white using the drug. It may impair your capacity crystalline powder. It can be made into tablets and pills • nausea and vomiting as a parent/primary carer of children. and is sometimes sold as ‘ecstasy’. Ketamine is often • anaphylaxis (serious allergic reaction) swallowed, snorted, shafted (inserted anally) or injected • reduced sensitivity to pain and LONG TERM EFFEcts intramuscularly. It is sometimes smoked with other numbness of the extremities Some regular users experience flashbacks substances such as cannabis or tobacco. • drowsiness – the spontaneous recurrence of an • anaesthesia experience that occurred while the user • muscle rigidity was under the influence of the drug. • hypersalivation Flashbacks can occur days, weeks or DRINK SPIKING • increased body temperature or fever months after a person has used ketamine. Ketamine has been used in drink spiking due to its • risk of accidents There is also some emerging evidence dis-inhibiting and amnesiac effects that can put a • cardiac arrhythmia that repeated use may impair some person at risk of sexual assault, rape or theft. • convulsions aspects of memory and cognitive • coma. functions. If you think your drink has been spiked: Psychological effects may include: Long-term, frequent use of ketamine • ask someone you trust to get you to a safe place has been linked to personality and • ask your doctor to test for the presence of drugs • euphoria and relaxation mood changes including paranoia which can be identified through urine or blood tests • feelings of dissociation (being detached and egocentrism, reduced ability to within 24 hours. from the body) concentrate and depression. If you feel unwell or suspect that you have been • disorientation Regular ketamine use is associated with sexually assaulted then call an ambulance or go to • hallucinations and distorted sensory severe bladder and kidney problems. the nearest NSW Health Sexual Assault service or processing, including visual, auditory, These include problems with frequent Emergency Department. bodily, time and space perception • delusions urination, problems passing urine, Drink spiking is serious and illegal. To prevent drink bladder ulcers and kidney problems • dysphoria (feeling unwell or unhappy) spiking, it may be best to watch your drink, avoid including renal failure. Prolonged heavy • disorganised thoughts, confusion and sharing drinks, buy/pour your own drink and don’t use can result in ‘ketamine bladder’ and difficulty concentrating, thinking or accept drinks from people you don’t know well or trust. swelling of the kidney due to urine flow maintaining attention obstruction. Some users have reported • anxiety, agitation, paranoia ‘k-belly’ or ‘k cramps’ (abdominal pain). MIXING WITH OTHER DRUGS Combining ketamine with depressants such as alcohol, tranquillisers or GHB can slow down the body’s central TOLERANCE AND DEPENDENCE nervous system and is dangerous. Tolerance to ketamine can develop very People who regularly use ketamine can quickly, with people needing more and develop a physical and psychological At higher doses ketamine depresses consciousness more to achieve the same euphoric and dependence and may find it difficult and breathing and overdose is a significant risk when psychedelic effects. to stop. combined with depressants. KETAMINE RELATED THE LAW WITHDRAWAL Using ketamine, or There is limited evidence to support the EMERGENCY keeping, selling or giving it view that people who are dependent on to someone else is illegal. ketamine experience physical withdrawal If you can’t wake someone up or you are concerned that If you are caught you could symptoms if they suddenly stop taking they may have sustained a head injury from a drug related fall face substantial fines it. However, previous users who report – call an ambulance immediately – dial Triple Zero (000). and penalties including a stopping use of ketamine after long term If the person has been mixing ketamine with other drugs or prison sentence. There regular use may experience cravings, nitrites, tell the NSW Ambulance paramedic exactly what they have been instances shaking, anxiety, sweats, and a sense of have taken. Paramedics are there to help. Generally paramedics where ketamine has been rapid heartbeat. don’t involve the police unless there is danger to themselves used in drink spiking due If you are experiencing problems or other people/children, someone dies, or a crime (such as to its dis-inhibiting and with withdrawal, contact your doctor violence or theft) has been committed. amnesiac effects. or health centre. PREGNANCY AND driving under Self-help BREASTFEEDING the influence associations Most drugs have some effect on the unborn baby na.org.au for Narcotics if the mother uses them and it is not recommended of KETAMINE Anoymous Australia, a non that people use ketamine while pregnant or It is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs profit fellowship or society of breastfeeding. Inform antenatal staff of ketamine including ketamine. Drowsiness, impaired mental recovering addicts who meet use and attend regular antenatal checkups. alertness and coordination, and hallucinations regularly to help each other If a mother uses ketamine while breastfeeding, can affect the ability to drive. stay clean via a program of complete abstinence from all it is possible that the drug will be present in her Anyone under the influence of ketamine who drugs. milk and have adverse effects on the baby. kills or injures another person while driving can It is generally risky to take any drug while be sentenced to a term in prison. breastfeeding without medical advice. Information and advice Alcohol and Drug Information Service Family Drug Support provides 24-7 TAFE NSW provides help with Northern Territory: (ADIS) NSW operates 24 hours, 7 days telephone support to families in crisis due to education, career development or Amity Community Service a week to provide education, information, drug and alcohol issues. Call the Helpline on personal matters. Students can contact Tel. (08) 8944 6565 referral, crisis counselling and support. Call 1300 368 186 or visit www.fds.org.au a local TAFE/university counsellor. Visit *Toll free. 1800 684 372 (02) 9361 8000 (Sydney metro) or 1800 422 Alcohol and Drug Information (ADIS) Kids Helpline is a free, 24 hour www.tafensw.edu.au 599 (outside Sydney metro and interstate) or *Toll free. 1800 131 350 counselling service for young people visit www.yourroom.com.au Youth Action is the peak organisation aged 5 to 25 years. Counselling is for young people in NSW. Visit TASMANIA: Alcohol and Drug Information Call ADIS for the nearest needle and syringe offered via the Kids Helpline website www.youthaction.org.au and Service *Toll free. 1800 811 994 program (NSP) outlet. www.kidshelp.com.au or email, use the search option to access a ACT: Alcohol and Drug Program provides drug and alcohol or call 1800 55 1800. Your room directory of NSW youth services. Tel. (02) 6207 9977 information and advice, campaigns and Nepean Youth Drug and Alcohol resources. Visit www.yourroom.com.au Service (NYDAS) works within a holistic Youth Solutions provides services *Toll free numbers are only available if you for young people 12 to 25 years of age are calling from within that state. Aboriginal Health and Medical Research model of care to address a range of issues Council provides links to Aboriginal for young people (12 – 20 years of age) and the community including prevention community controlled health services related to their alcohol and other drug use. and health promotion, drug and alcohol NSW Health aims to reduce drug- across NSW. Visit www.ahmrc.org.au Call (02) 4734 2129 or (02) 4734 1333. education, community programs related harm for individuals and the and information and referral. Visit community by providing the facts, for information about AHMRC members NSW Users and AIDS Association including a regional map, information and www.youthsolutions.com.au or call including the possible health, social (NUAA) is a peak drug user organisation in links to members websites. (02) 4628 2319 [provides services to young and economic consequences of using NSW providing harm reduction information alcohol and other drugs.
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