Ketamine / Question
Published: March 13, 2003
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I live in england and have recently got into clubbing. This is all good, but i am taking far too many drugs. Particulary Ketamine, could you tell me the damage caused by this drug as i have not found anything about it here (yet!).
Signed: Clubbing & Using Ketamine
Dear Clubbing & Using Ketamine,
TeenHealthFX is extremely worried about you and wants you to stop using Ketamine and other drugs ASAP. In stopping the use of any drug, FX strongly recommends that you get some help for your drug use and talk to someone such as a teacher, a parent, a guidance counselor, a doctor or a school nurse. Breaking any drug habit is not easy. How long and how difficult a task it is does vary from person to person. Getting high for whatever reason is the not the answer. In fact, getting high can make things worse even if you are just using it to have fun
Since you stated that you are from England, contact your local Department of Health. If another FX reader wants help and treatment in the US, you can call either the Alcohol and Drug Helpline at 1-800-821-4357 or the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) at 1-800-662-HELP.
Here is some specific information about Ketamine:
Ketamine is a rapidly acting anesthetic used medically on both animals and humans. When used improperly it can cause serious medical consequences. There have been numerous deaths reported from Ketamine used as a "club drug". More and more it is becoming abused by teens and has become known as a popular "club drug". Some street names for Ketamine are: K, Special K, Ket, Vitamin K, Vit K, Kit Kat, Keller, Kelly's day, Green, Blind squid, Cat valium, Purple, Special la coke, Super acid, and Super C.
Ketamine is used by injecting it, smoking it, taking it orally or snorting it (comes in a liquid, pill or powder form). Sometimes it is also mixed with other drugs making it even more dangerous.
Ketamine's effects include:
Some of these effects may sound good, but they are not. This drug depresses the respiratory system and just a small amount can kill a person. A person can also have convulsions that can lead to brain damage and even an eventual death. The long term consequences are not yet fully known either. We are just beginning to learn about the effects of various club drugs. In the past few years, for example, we have learned that ecstasy causes long lasting and possibly permanent changes in the area of the brain involved in memory and movement.
Please get help immediately and stop using Ketamine. While the effects may provide you with some short-term happiness, it just is not worth it. For more information on Ketamine and other drugs, please check out this site http://www.health.org/nongovpubs/ketamine/.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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