Ketamine Use in Young Adults: Statistics, Side Effects, and Treatment

Ketamine was a popular party drug found in dance clubs in the 1990s. Today, illicit use of the drug appears to be increasing among young adults.

One of the greatest risks to young adult users is that most illegally obtained ketamine is sold in powder form. That means it could be laced with deadly drugs like fentanyl. In addition, young people may not realize that ketamine can be addictive, leading to a substance use disorder.

Key Takeaways

• Ketamine is a dissociative injected anesthetic that’s been available by prescription in the United States since the 1970s, for human and veterinary uses.
• Ketamine is also used recreationally as a party drug, and usage among young people appears to be increasing.
• Some research suggests ketamine is useful for treatment-resistant depression, but studies are limited.
• Problem substance use associated with ketamine may require treatment to address underlying and co-occurring mental health issues.

What Is Ketamine?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic drug that was developed in the 1960s and used as a battlefield anesthetic during the Vietnam War. Today, it’s administered to adults, children, and animals during a variety of procedures: orthopedic surgeries, surgical burn treatment, abdominal operations, some dental procedures, and more.When administered as part of an anesthesia regimen, ketamine can produce feelings of disconnection from reality and fleeting hallucinations. 

A Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act, ketamine is commonly known as Special K, Super K, and Vitamin K. The drug can be injected or used in powder form that’s snorted, smoked, or mixed into drinks. Ketamine works rapidly to induce sleep, reduce sensation, prevent pain, and inhibit memory. If injected, the effects are noticeable within one minute. It can take five to 15 minutes to feel the effects if ketamine is snorted, and up to 30 minutes if it’s swallowed.

Is Ketamine Addictive?

Many young adults don’t realize that recreational ketamine use can lead to addiction. Ketamine addiction may include moderate to low physical dependence and high psychological dependence. And the risk of ketamine addiction is higher for people who have a history of addiction to other drugs or to alcohol.

Signs of ketamine addiction include:

• Not being able to cut down on or stop ketamine use even though you want to
• Taking the substance in greater quantities or for longer amounts of time than planned
• Investing a lot of time and resources obtaining, using, and recovering from the effects of the substance
• Using the substance despite the problems it causes in personal relationships
• Inability to fulfill obligations or responsibilities at home, work, or school due to  ketamine use
• Experiencing psychological or physical withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug

If you or a loved one is showing signs of a possible ketamine addiction, treatment is necessary. Contact Newport Institute for an assessment at no charge. We can help you find a substance use treatment program that addresses underlying reasons for ketamine abuse.

Ketamine Side Effects 

When ketamine is used recreationally, it can produce a range of unwanted and dangerous side effects. Young adults who take ketamine for its euphoric effect may not be aware that it’s possible to overdose on ketamine, which can cause long-term health issues like irreversible urinary tract damage and bladder problems.

Though rare, one of ketamine’s side effects is death. Actor Matthew Perry died from the “acute effects of ketamine” in October of 2023 when he was found unresponsive in the hot tub outside his Los Angeles home.

The effects of ketamine can include:

• Confusion
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Double vision
• Reduced sensitivity to pain
• Slurred speech
• Anxiety and panic
• Memory loss
• Paranoia
• Visual and auditory hallucinations
• Chest pain
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure
• Seizures
• Respiratory depression
• Feeling detached from your body and/or reality
• Ketamine overdose, resulting in unconsciousness and dangerously slow breathing

Can Ketamine Treat Depression?

Over the past decade or so, ketamine has emerged as a new method for treating depression and suicidal ideation in adults. In 2019, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of esketamine. Derived from part of the ketamine molecule, esketamine is used in Spravato, a nasal spray prescribed in combination with an oral antidepressant for treatment-resistant depression. But ketamine isn’t FDA-approved to treat other mental health issues like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, or substance use disorder, although some companies are marketing it as such.

Does ketamine work for treatment-resistant depression? In one small study of 154 patients with major depressive disorder, participants were free of depression symptoms up to three months after a ketamine infusion. And the first placebo-controlled trial examining ketamine’s antidepressant potential in adolescents suggests that ketamine can function as a quick-acting antidepressant in young people. But research into ketamine and depression is still limited.

Is Ketamine Treatment Safe?

Studies suggest that ketamine may be effective for depression when used under the guidance of a clinician. However, it’s important to note that ketamine isn’t a first-choice treatment for depression. Generally, it’s used only when other treatments have been tried without success. Furthermore, the drug doesn’t cure depression. Rather, it may improve depression symptoms temporarily.

Ironically, one study in the American Journal on Addictions found that recreational use of ketamine may actually be associated with depressive symptoms in youth. Young people who used ketamine recreationally had an even higher risk of severe depression than those who used alcohol or cannabis.

Before trying ketamine for depression, young adults can seek out more researched and reliable treatments. These include Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, EMDR, and medications such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

Young Adult Substance Use Disorder Treatment at Newport Institute

At Newport Institute, we understand the devastating effect substance use disorder can have on every aspect of a young person’s life. Long-term recovery is the focus of our withdrawal management program in California. Young adults between the ages of 18 and 35 work with our team of medical experts to recover from the physical symptoms of withdrawal. In addition, we treat substance use disorder as a secondary condition at several of our Newport Institute locations.

Newport’s integrated clinical model to treating SUD includes individual therapy, group therapy, and family therapy. Our therapeutic approach addresses underlying issues that set the stage for problem substance use, like family strife, childhood trauma, and mental health disorders.

Life skills programming and experiential activities like Adventure Therapy, yoga, art, and music help our clients reduce stress, learn healthy coping skills, and build resilience. Moreover, the authentic connections they develop at Newport with themselves, their loved ones, and their larger community play a large part in their recovery.

If you or a loved one is struggling with SUD, we can help. Contact us today for a free assessment and learn more about our residential treatment programs for young adult substance use disorder.

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