How Can You Tell If Someone Is Abusing Ketamine?
Ketamine abuse is on the rise in the United States, and this drug has made headlines in recent years in stories about what was found in the autopsy of actor Matthew Perry and Elon Musk’s use of the drug to treat depression. Still, ketamine isn’t as well-known a drug of abuse as things like cocaine or fentanyl, and it could be challenging to know how to tell if someone is abusing ketamine. There are many reasons why ketamine and a similar but different medication approved to treat depression are in the news these days, and how ketamine abuse can endanger people who become reliant on this drug.
Table of contents
» What Is the Difference Between Medical and Recreational Ketamine Use?
» Why Is Ketamine Abuse on the Rise?
» What Are the Physical Signs of Ketamine Abuse?
» How Do You Approach Someone Who May Be Abusing Ketamine?
» Key Takeaways on Ketamine Abuse
» Resources
What Is the Difference Between Medical and Recreational Ketamine Use?
Ketamine has been in use since the 1960s, when it was an anesthetic on Vietnam War battlefields. It remains an approved medication as an anesthetic for both people and animals. However, it eventually gained popularity as a party drug, known for the way it changes users’ moods and perceptions, and its abuse has been on the rise ever since.
Separately, a different drug made from ketamine, known as esketamine, has been approved by the Food & Drug Administration as an option for patients with treatment-resistant depression. While the two drugs are similar at a chemical level, they’re different things entirely, and ketamine isn’t approved as a treatment for depression or mental health disorders, while esketamine is an authorized depression treatment option.
Since its approval in 2019, esketamine’s efficacy as a way of breaking through in patients with treatment-resistant depression remains unclear. However, there are signs of promising results, even if questions remain about its long-term safety and potential risks.
However, ketamine has been increasingly used in “off-label” ways, with clinics and services advertising it as an option to treat everything from depression or post-traumatic stress disorder to chronic pain, Lyme disease, and anxiety.
However, using ketamine for anything other than anesthesia isn’t approved by the FDA, meaning it’s unlikely to be covered by insurance plans, and there isn’t as much regulation and safety oversight for non-anesthetic uses of this drug. It’s also available illegally as an illicitly-made party drug.
Why Is Ketamine Abuse on the Rise?
There’s no doubt that ketamine abuse and misuse are on the rise, and national statistics show that it’s grown considerably in popularity over the past decade. Past-year use of ketamine recreationally jumped more than 80 percent between 2015 and 2019 and grew another 40 percent between 2021 and 2022.
Several interesting things were found in the statistics for past-year use over the last decade, including:
- As of 2022, adults 26 to 34 years old were 66 percent more likely to have used ketamine than those 18 to 25 years old.
- People with college degrees were found to be twice as likely to have used ketamine as those without degrees.
- For several years, adults with depression were as much as 80 percent more likely to have used ketamine than those without it. However, that statistic changed over the years, and by 2021 and 2022, the rate of ketamine use was only found to be increasing among those who did not have depression.
- Those who used other drugs, including cocaine or ecstasy, were also more likely to use ketamine.
While recreational use has grown over the decades, especially in settings like nightclubs, parties, or music festivals, there’s also been a significant growth in the number of people who have received ketamine as treatment for things like depression. The problem with any recreational drug use or misusing prescription medications comes in how this can lead to physical and mental dependency, addiction, and even lead to brain damage and drug overdoses – especially if combined with other substances.
What Are the Physical Signs of Ketamine Abuse?
The way ketamine works on the body can significantly affect the user’s nervous system, especially with repeated use. This can cause physical symptoms that could become noticeable by others, including:
- Numbness or tingling, especially in the arms, legs, hands, and feet
- Slurred speech
- Problems with walking or moving due to poor coordination
- Frequent urination
- Incontinence
- Permanent bladder damage
- Weakness
- Chronic fatigue
More research is needed to determine just how addictive ketamine is. However, some studies have noted that ketamine use can change the brain in a way that matches with drugs that have the potential for addiction. Other studies have found that using ketamine regularly can lead to the warning signs of addiction, such as:
- Continuing to use ketamine even though the person knows it’s causing them problems or medical issues.
- They used more ketamine than they meant to regularly.
- Developing a tolerance that requires them to use more ketamine to feel the same effects.
- Spending an increasing amount of each day seeking out, buying, using, or recovering from the use of ketamine.
- Not keeping up with responsibilities at home, work, or school.
- Using ketamine in dangerous ways, such as driving while intoxicated.
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How Do You Approach Someone Who May Be Abusing Ketamine?
If you think you see the warning signs of ketamine abuse in someone you love, it’s important to try to talk with them in a calm, considerate manner about what you notice is changing about them due to this drug use. The goal should be to remind them that you care for them, and you’re worried about them because of these changes you’ve seen due to their drug use.
It can be hard sometimes to know when you need rehab for addiction, so friends and loved ones can play an important role in this understanding by letting their dear ones know that it’s likely time to seek out professional treatment and help due to their ketamine problem. Be considerate and respectful, and let them talk so they feel heard and understood.
This conversation could take several attempts to have, and it’s natural for people to resist getting help until they realize that it’s their best option to get back on track. Plan ahead, pick a quiet spot where you won’t be interrupted, and have this conversation in private, and make sure you choose a time to talk when neither of you is intoxicated by ketamine or any other substances.
Key Takeaways on Ketamine Abuse
- Ketamine is approved for use in humans and animals as an anesthetic.
- A similar drug derived from ketamine, esketamine, is approved as an option for helping those with treatment-resistant depression.
- Recreational and off-label use of ketamine is on the rise among specific demographics of people.
- While more research is needed to determine just how addictive this drug is, studies have pointed to signs of possible brain changes and behavioral shifts that are similar to those of addictive drugs.
- Professional drug rehab treatment can help people overcome addiction.
If you or your loved one is struggling with ketamine abuse and addiction, help is available. In Florida, the WhiteSands Alcohol and Drug Treatment network of rehab facilities has helped many people break the chains of addiction and get their lives back on track. With us, you can learn the new skills and strength you need to achieve long-lasting recovery. Call us at 877-855-3470 today to learn how to get started.
Resources
- National Institute on Drug Abuse – Ketamine
- Department of Justice/Drug Enforcement Administration – Ketamine Drug Fact Sheet
- Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health – What to Know About Ketamine
If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.
About the Author
Jackie has been involved in the substance abuse and addiction treatment sector for over five years and this is something that she is truly eager about. She has a passion for writing and continuously works to create informative pieces that not only educate and inform the public about the disease of addiction but also provide solutions for those who struggle with drug and alcohol abuse.
