Can You Overdose on Ketamine?

A common question many ask is, can you overdose on ketamine? Understanding the risks associated with this drug, including potential overdose and its effects, is crucial for both users and those looking out for loved ones. This article explores the dangers of ketamine overdose, its symptoms, and how to prevent and respond to such situations.

Over 50 years ago, the medical community developed ketamine. This medication was a safer alternative to traditional anesthetics. In a medical setting, ketamine is a safe way to put patients under for surgery. In recent years, researchers began exploring ketamine as a treatment option for post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and other mental health conditions.

There is a dark side to ketamine. Ketamine can cause hallucinations and dissociation. People who experience dissociation feel disconnected from reality. They may feel disconnected from their body, thoughts, and senses. These side effects increased ketamine’s popularity on the club scene. Ketamine users may call it Special K or Vitamin K. Don’t let these positive names fool you. Using ketamine recreationally can lead to dependence and addiction.

Using Ketamine for PTSD and Other Mental Health Conditions

Research shows that ketamine may be a promising treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions. People develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a significant stressful event, such as a natural disaster, war, or abuse. After these events, people with PTSD may experience nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety, depression, and intrusive thoughts.

For many years, therapy and medications like Paxil and Zoloft were the best ways to treat PTSD. Recent studies show that ketamine reduces PTSD symptoms initially. People interested in using ketamine for PTSD should not try to use the drug outside of medical supervision. A medical professional should always administer and monitor the patient during ketamine treatment.

While ketamine is a relatively new treatment option for PTSD, it has a longer history as an option for treatment-resistant depression. If you have treatment-resistant depression, you experience major depression that doesn’t respond to medication. Doctors diagnose someone with treatment-resistant depression after they fail to experience relief on two different medications. Research shows that 52 percent of people with major depressive disorder experienced significant relief or remission after three IV infusions of ketamine. Ketamine may also help with chronic pain and other mental health conditions like bipolar disorder.

Because of these promising results, ketamine is becoming increasingly popular. Telehealth services now offer ketamine after a brief video call. People may seek out ketamine from illicit sources, hoping to find relief from serious mental health conditions. Taking ketamine without proper medical supervision can lead to dependence and addiction. If you worry that you or a loved one are self-medicating with ketamine, an addiction treatment professional can help.

If your loved one is using ketamine, you may wonder if it’s possible to overdose on ketamine. It is possible to overdose on ketamine. If you or your loved one are using ketamine with alcohol or other drugs, the risk of overdose is significantly higher. Ketamine overdose is a serious emergency that can lead to death.

Symptoms of a Ketamine Overdose

People who use ketamine and their loved ones should watch for these symptoms of a ketamine overdose:

Significant sedation
Unconsciousness
Slow heart rate
Low blood pressure
Trouble breathing, including slowed or shallow breathing
Periods where breathing stops entirely
Detachment from reality
Nausea
Vomiting
Hallucinations

A ketamine overdose can lead to severe medical problems like cardiac arrest. It also can lead to coma and death.

Symptoms of a ketamine overdose may vary from person to person. The amount of ketamine used can affect what symptoms a person will experience. The risks of a life-threatening overdose increase if the person takes ketamine with other illicit drugs or alcohol.

What to Do If You Suspect a Ketamine Overdose

An overdose is a medical emergency. If you or a loved one are experiencing symptoms of an overdose, call 9-1-1 immediately. Emergency medical treatment is critical. If you are experiencing an overdose, don’t try to drive to the emergency room. If your loved one is experiencing an overdose, do not leave them alone or allow them to drive.

Dangers and Risks of Using Ketamine

In small doses under medical supervision, ketamine can be safe. However, using ketamine recreationally can be dangerous. People who use ketamine to feel high or self-medicate can develop an addiction to the substance.

Ketamine can produce additional medical problems, even at low or moderate doses. People with high blood pressure or other heart-related issues should be careful using ketamine since it can increase your heart rate and blood pressure. Ketamine can also lead to upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Some people experience bladder inflammation and damage. This damage can cause frequent urination and pain.

Even in low doses, ketamine can produce unpleasant neurological symptoms. People using ketamine may feel anxious and agitated. When you take high doses of ketamine, you may hallucinate or dissociate. These experiences can be frightening. Over time, people may become dependent or addicted to ketamine.

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What Happens When You Mix Ketamine with Other Drugs?

Recreational ketamine users may mix ketamine with other drugs, especially alcohol. Mixing ketamine with other drugs can increase the chances of overdose and death. Combining a sedative like ketamine with a depressant like alcohol can lead to severe side effects. People who mix ketamine with other drugs may have trouble breathing or lose consciousness. They may experience blackouts and hallucinations. Ketamine can lower your inhibitions and make it more likely that you’ll engage in risky behaviors. Mixing ketamine and other drugs can cause falls, drowning, and other fatal accidents.

Withdrawal: What Happens During the Ketamine Come Down

Some people may try to stop using ketamine on their own. You may experience the “ketamine come down.” These withdrawal symptoms can occur when you taper off or quit ketamine cold turkey. Ketamine withdrawal is similar to withdrawing from other drugs like cocaine. You may experience psychological dependence. Withdrawal symptoms include:

Cravings
Anxiety
Agitation
Insomnia
Depression
Nausea
Vomiting
Shaking and tremors
Excessive sweating
Fever

You don’t have to go through ketamine withdrawal alone. An addiction treatment specialist can help you manage withdrawal symptoms.

Your Options for Ketamine Addiction Treatment at Footprints to Recovery

Footprints to Recovery offers many different options for treating substance use disorder. Our professional staff can help you determine the right treatment program for you or your loved one. We offer inpatient and outpatient options. Our medication-assisted treatment programs can minimize the discomfort of withdrawal. We combine this program with therapy that may include CBT, DBT, group therapy, and family therapy. Our holistic therapy options include yoga and art therapy. You don’t have to suffer from ketamine addiction alone.

Contact our admissions team and ask about our ketamine addiction treatment programs.