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Ketamine: the facts WHAT IS ? effects of KETAMINE Ketamine hydrochloride is a and acts on the The immediate effects of ketamine • 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 to taken orally) and can last for one to three • induce anaesthesia. It works by stopping the from hours. • interpreting messages of . What ketamine does to you depends on • “near ” 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 or other depressant . 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 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 and Street names include: Special K, K, Cat Tranquilizer, ket, • twitching eye movement experiencing a distorted 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 • rate increased but shallow harm themselves. There is the potential How is it used illicitly? • increased and blood for people to cut or burn themselves while pressure Ketamine can be in a clear form or a white using the . It may impair your capacity crystalline powder. It can be made into tablets and pills • and 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 or . • drowsiness – the spontaneous recurrence of an • anaesthesia experience that occurred while the user • muscle rigidity was under the influence of the drug. • Flashbacks can occur days, weeks or SPIKING • increased body temperature or 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 , or theft. • convulsions aspects of and cognitive • . 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 • and relaxation mood changes including paranoia which can be identified through 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 problems. the nearest NSW service or processing, including visual, auditory, These include problems with frequent . bodily, time and space perception • delusions , problems passing urine, Drink spiking is serious and illegal. To prevent drink bladder ulcers and kidney problems • (feeling unwell or unhappy) spiking, it may be best to watch your drink, avoid including renal failure. Prolonged heavy • disorganised thoughts, and sharing , 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 • , agitation, paranoia ‘k-belly’ or ‘k cramps’ (abdominal pain). MIXING WITH OTHER DRUGS Combining ketamine with 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 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 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, , tell the NSW Ambulance exactly what they have been instances shaking, anxiety, sweats, and a sense of have taken. 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 (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 if the mother uses them and it is not recommended of KETAMINE Anoymous , 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 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

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