From TeenHealthCentre.com

Substance Abuse
Ketamine
By
Nov 9, 2004, 18:34

Ketamine

Drug Classification: Anesthetic/Painkiller & Designer Drug

Slang Terms: Special K, K, ket, vitamin K, cat tranquilizers, K-hole

What It Looks Like & How It’s Taken: Ketamine is a fast acting anesthetic used primarily in veterinary surgery. Ketamine for medical use is sold in liquid form, however, when sold illicitly, it is more commonly a white powder. This powder is usually inhaled, mixed into drinks, or smoked with marijuana or tobacco. When in liquid form, it can be mixed with drinks or injected.

Ketamine is a fast acting anesthetic used primarily in veterinary surgery

Effects: Ketamine can cause hallucinations and dissociation (which makes the user feel as though the mind is separated from the body). Users often report feeling drunken, dizzy and numb. In lower doses, users feel sleep, distracted and withdrawn. A high dose of ketamine can cause loss of consciousness. Ketamine may depress the central nervous system thereby reducing the level of oxygen that gets to the brain, heart and other muscles. And may even cause death. The effects of ketamine can be felt as soon as one – ten minutes after taking the drug.
 
 Paraphernalia Associated With Use: needles, straws, razors & mirrors – depends of method of delivery into the body.
 
 Short Term Consequences of Use: In most cases users experience hallucinations and disconnection from everything around them. They also feel numbness in the hands and feet, and loss of muscle control. Occasionally users will vomit and convulse. Some have been known to go into a coma. Short-term effects usually last from 1 – 6 hours, sometimes the effects don’t wear off for 24 to 48 hours.
 
 Long Term Consequences of Use: One “trip” can last up to 2 days. Flashbacks can happen up to a year after a single use.
 
 Facts & Statistics:
 K is mostly a club drug and most people who use it also use other drugs at the same time (marijuana, ecstasy, cocaine & crystal).
 
 Sources:
 http://www.camh.net - Center for Addiction and Mental Health
 
 http://www.freevibe.com - Free Vibe, The Anti-Drug
 
 http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/intel/01026/ - DEA Resources
 
 http://www.health.org/reality/articles/2002/specialk.asp - “Reality Check”


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