Individuals can become dependent on many different addictive substances. Sometimes, the list of substances to potentially abuse seems endless. One, in particular, is ketamine. Ketamine use has become especially common on college campuses in recent years. While it is difficult to pinpoint why that is, it's clear that illicit substance use on college campuses has become a severe problem. College students are not always prudent when considering substance use, but researching the potential risks and dangers can help them reconsider.
Whether an individual is dependent on alcohol, illicit drugs, prescription drugs, or ketamine, treatment is available, and recovery is possible. Continue reading to learn about the potential dangers and consider the risks of ketamine use.
The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) describes ketamine as a “short-acting anesthetic with hallucinogenic effects,” which is sometimes “used to facilitate sexual assault crimes.” Some of its street names include Special K, cat valium, kit kat, K, super acid, and Vitamin K, to name a few. It can be injected, snorted, mixed, or smoked. It is also commonly used in liquid form to mix with other liquids, such as alcoholic beverages.
Additionally, the DEA describes ketamine as a “dissociative anesthetic.” It makes people “feel detached from their pain and environment” or “disconnected and not in control.” It induces a sedative state, causing “immobility, relief from pain, and amnesia.” These hallucinations and dissociative experiences tempt individuals to misuse the drug. Unfortunately, as already stated, some individuals take advantage of these effects to perpetrate sexual assault crimes.
In general, ketamine is still frequently used in the medical field for many reasons. It was commercially introduced as a quick-acting, nonbarbiturate, general anesthetic in the 1960s. The drug was advertised as an effective medication for short procedures. Nearly 50 years later, it is still used for anesthesia, critical care patients, and pain management.
Like any other substance, individuals can find improper ways to use a drug. This is similar to how individuals abuse prescription drugs and other medications. There are many reasons people do this. Some are trying to dull pain, cope with a traumatic experience, or “have a good time,” as many indicate. The effects of ketamine use can quickly become dangerous and addictive.
Like any substance, there are risks associated with ketamine use. Its effects may vary depending on the user's age, size, health, dose, and use of other substances. Some of the impacts ketamine use has on individuals, according to the DEA, include:
Some of the effects may not impact individuals upon initial use. Many experience feelings of agitation, depression, amnesia, unconsciousness, or impaired cognitive function weeks after interacting with the drug. Individuals must also be cautious about potential overdoses. A ketamine overdose can cause unconsciousness and dangerously slow breathing.
Long-term ketamine use can also cause several long-term issues, such as:
Many of these effects seem to be highly undesirable. Why do so many college students become interested in using ketamine?
The issue of ketamine use on college campuses is not a ketamine-specific problem. In truth, all substance use across our college campuses today is a growing concern. Underage or unhealthy drinking, illicit drug use, and a combination of the two are common among college students and put many of them at risk.
College students are not typically focused on the long-term consequences of decisions made in college. Granted, this may be a stereotypical generalization. However, many students get excited to be away from home, rules, and supervision and start experimenting with drugs and alcohol. Before they know it, substance use can become their go-to for managing the stress and pressures of college.
Additionally, many claim ketamine has become the new ecstasy. It is cheap and easy to obtain, making it a popular “club drug” among young adults and even teenagers. As it's easy to acquire and the hallucinogenic effects can become addictive, many go down a destructive spiral of excessive use and experimentation with other dangerous drugs.
Any kind of substance use during any time of life is risky. In addition to developing substance use disorder (SUD), excessive substance use can lead to overdose and many other questionable decisions that have unforetold consequences.
To avoid the dangers of ketamine use, individuals should educate themselves on the potential risks and avoid experimenting with this or any dangerous substance. Anyone who has already become dependent on or addicted to any kind of substance should seek help today.
Ketamine is a short-acting dissociative anesthetic that causes hallucinogenic effects and is often used for surgeries, critical care, and pain management. Initially introduced in the 1960s, ketamine use has evolved into one of the many “club drugs” commonly used among college students, young adults, and even teenagers. Unfortunately, because of its dissociative nature, anesthetic effects, and potential to cause memory loss, it is often used to perpetrate sexual assault crimes. Despite these dangers, many college students continue to experiment and use ketamine for a number of reasons. Speak to a professional if you have already developed substance use disorder (SUD). Call NorthStar Transitions at (303) 558-6400 for treatment today.
