Ketamine is a potent anesthetic drug that medical professionals use during surgery and other procedures. Some people may abuse ketamine for its calming and sedative effects. Ketamine abuse can lead to addiction and physical dependence.
This article will explore the effects of ketamine and how long it stays in your system. You will learn:
- How ketamine works
- The dangers of ketamine abuse
- How long ketamine can stay in the body
- How long drug screening tests can detect ketamine
- How to recognize and treat ketamine addiction
If you or someone you love struggles with ketamine abuse or addiction, help is available at Archstone Behavioral Health. Reach out to our intake specialists to learn about our programs or schedule an intake appointment.
What is Ketamine?
Ketamine is an FDA-approved drug. It belongs to a class of medications called dissociative anesthetics. Veterinarians and medical professionals may administer ketamine to provide pain relief during surgeries and other procedures.
Recently, researchers have begun to explore new uses for ketamine. Some mental health and medical practitioners may use ketamine therapy to help people manage a range of conditions, including:
- Chronic pain
- Treatment-resistant depression
- Anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
Some people abuse ketamine because they like the way the drug makes them feel. People who abuse ketamine may experience sedation, relaxation, and dissociation.
People who misuse ketamine may steal it from medical or veterinary offices. They may also purchase foreign ketamine from illegal dealers. Common street names for ketamine include:
- Cat tranquilizer
- K
- Vitamin K
- Special K
- Jet
Ketamine abuse can be very hazardous. Abusing this potent medication may lead to life-threatening and long-term consequences. It can impact a person’s mental and physical health or lead to a lethal overdose. It is critical to recognize ketamine abuse and treat it right away.
Understanding the Risks of Ketamine Abuse
Ketamine’s sedative and dissociative effects can cause people to want to abuse it. People who abuse ketamine may experience a range of side effects while using it, including:
- Relaxation
- A sensation of being disconnected from the environment
- Detachment from pain
- Distorted sensory perceptions
- Anxiety
- Paranoia
- Memory loss
- A sense of general uneasiness
- Dizziness
- Poor coordination
- Nausea
- Difficulty maintaining focus
Some people who abuse ketamine may experience a sensation that they are not real or do not exist. These and other effects may be unsettling or disturbing.
People who abuse ketamine for extended periods may develop long-term complications, including:
- High blood pressure
- Kidney damage
- Chronic abdominal pain
- Long-term memory issues
- Physical dependence
People who abuse ketamine may develop tolerance, meaning that they need to take high doses of ketamine to get the desired effects. This can increase the risk of a lethal overdose.
How Long Does Ketamine Stay in Your System?
The body begins to metabolize (break down) ketamine as soon as someone takes it. The half-life of ketamine (the amount of time it takes for the body to eliminate half of a substance) is about 2.5 hours. Generally, ketamine’s effects are short-lived. It takes about ten hours for the body to eliminate all of the drug from its systems.
However, several factors can impact how long ketamine remains in the body. These include:
- Body mass
- Overall health
- Age
- Liver function
- How a person ingested ketamine
People may experience withdrawal symptoms for longer than it takes for the body to eliminate all ketamine. Ketamine drug testing may also detect the drug for longer periods.
How Long Can Drug Tests Detect Ketamine?
Although the body eliminates ketamine within about ten hours of a person’s last dose, ketamine can be detected on drug screening tests for a longer period. Here is an overview of how long testing may detect ketamine.
Urine test
Urinalysis tests may detect ketamine in urine for up to 14 days after your last dose of the drug.
Blood test
Blood testing may detect ketamine for up to 72 hours after your last dose.
Saliva test
Saliva testing may detect ketamine for up to 24 hours after your last dose.
Hair follicle test
Hair testing has the longest detection window for any drug testing method. This form of testing can detect ketamine for a month or longer after your last dose.
Identifying and Treating Ketamine Addiction
Misusing ketamine can change how the brain and body function. These changes can make it very hard for people to stop using ketamine when they choose.
Recognizing the signs of addiction is the first step in getting life-saving treatment. Some signs of ketamine abuse and addiction include:
- Needing to use more ketamine to get the desired effects
- Spending a lot of time and energy getting and using ketamine
- Neglecting relationships, hobbies, or responsibilities because of ketamine abuse
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when not using ketamine
- Having cravings for ketamine
- Continuing to use ketamine, even though it causes significant harm
Ketamine addiction treatment includes evidence-based therapies and holistic support that can help people treat the complex roots of their substance abuse. Treatment plans may include:
- Medically-supported detox programs
- Mental health treatment
- Behavioral therapies
- Relapse prevention education
- Individual, group, and family therapy
- Holistic therapies like nutrition support, mindfulness, art therapy, exercise, and more
- Aftercare planning and support
Ketamine addiction can make every aspect of life more functioning. Getting the proper diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing support can help people work toward a healthier, more fulfilling future.
Find Treatment Now
If you or someone you love struggles with ketamine abuse or addiction, effective treatment is available at Archstone Behavioral Health. Contact our intake specialists to explore our holistic treatment programs, schedule an appointment, or find support at any stage of recovery.
References:
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Drug Fact Sheet Ketamine
- National Institute of Health (NIH): Ketamine
- Science Direct: Pharmacokinetics of ketamine and its major metabolites norketamine, hydroxynorketamine, and dehydronorketamine: a model-based analysis
- NIH: Ketamine and Ketamine Metabolite Pharmacology: Insights into Therapeutic Mechanisms
