Many youngsters believe these are safer than “hard” drugs such as cocaine or heroin, but they would be wrong. In some cases, dead wrong.
Ketamine is a prescription drug that is probably not been heard of by many people, but among young people going to parties and raves, the drug, called by many “Special K”, is widely known and has dangerous side effects.
The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia reports that this “fun” drug is not fun at all, and its abuse can lead to serious injury and death.
Ketamine is a drug used legally as an anesthetic. The brand names it is sold as are Ketanest®, Ketaset®, and Ketalar®, and comes in a clear liquid and a white or off-white powder form. As a tranquilizer and anesthetic, Ketamine is most commonly used on animals, but illegally, the liquid form is injected, consumed in drinks, or added to smokable materials, while the powder form can also be used for injection when dissolved.
Ketamine, along with the other “club drugs,” has become popular among teens and young adults at dance clubs and “raves.” Prices average $20 to $25 per dosage unit.
Street terms for Ketamine also include
• Jet
• Super Acid
• Green
• K
• Cat Valium
• Special K
The Atlanta Recovery Center Drug Rehab in Georgia reports that Ketamine produces similar effects to PCP (phencyclidine), which also was used as a tranquilizer, and Ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 in an attempt to find a safer alternative to PCP. PCP in human use is more likely to cause hallucinations and seizures; however, unknown at the time, higher doses of Ketamine produce an effect referred to as “K-Hole,” or an “out of body,” or “near-death” experience.
History of Ketamine
The drug was first used on American soldiers during the Vietnam War, but was discontinued because of these unpleasant out-of-body experiences. However, these side effects prompted its first psychedelic use in 1965, and as a result it was also used in psychiatric and other academic research through the 1970s.
As “raves” and other parties proliferated in the 80’s and 90’s, Ketamine use also increased, and as a result it was labeled a Schedule III drug in the United States. Although it has less potential for abuse than other drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, it may lead to moderate or low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.
It is still used widely in veterinary medicine, and for select human applications, and since it can be found in pharmacies and animal hospitals, these are often the subject of robberies aimed solely at their Ketamine supply. Additionally, DEA reporting indicates that a major source of Ketamine in the United States is product diverted from pharmacies in Mexico.
Effects of Ketamine
Use of the drug can cause delirium, amnesia, depression, and long-term memory and cognitive difficulties. Due to its dissociative effect, it is reportedly used as a date-rape drug. The high rate of psychological dependence, however, make Ketamine addicts use the drug again and again, and as an anesthetic, this can shut down the motor controls and cause death.
An overdose of Ketamine can stop the heart.
For more information on drug addiction rehabilitation or drug education, call The Atlanta Recovery Center of Georgia at 1-877-236-3981.
