Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that is widely used prior surgery due to the following effects it has on a person:
- Distorted perception of sight and sound
- Loss of control
- Detachment from pain and surroundings
- Sedation
- Immobility
- Pain relief
- Loss of memory
- Hallucinations
- Euphoria
Its effects start shortly after injected and lasts for around 30 minutes, which makes it a suitable drug for emergencies and short procedures. It also makes it difficult to determine how much is too much.
Many people use Ketamine for recreational purposes, such as by parties or other social events, due to the euphoric feelings and ‘out of body’ experiences it is said to provide. The drug can be abused by snorting, swallowing, smoking or injecting.
Read on to hear about the dangers and repercussions of Ketamine overdose and how to help yourself or a loved one that is suffering from Ketamine addiction.
Can You Overdose On Ketamine?
The answer is a resounding ‘yes.’ Ketamine overdose can occur if one takes it in large amounts and it’s extremely dangerous and life-threatening, potentially leading to serious health conditions. Can Ketamine kill you? Ketamine overdose can cause life-threatening health conditions, but the risk of death is greater when Ketamine is used in conjunction with alcohol or other substances that impact the breathing.
The difference between the extreme high that the user experiences and overdose is very subtle and the amount that can cause an overdose is difficult to determine as it depends on the following factors:
- Size and weight
- Overall health condition
- Body’s tolerance to the drug
- Strength of the drug
- Liver and kidney function
Thus, the effects of Ketamine will vary from person to person.
Causes of Ketamine Overdose
Taking a strong batch of Ketamine or taking it in larger amounts, will raise the Ketamine levels in the blood to dangerously high levels, resulting in overdose. This build-up generally occurs if the body isn’t able enough to break down the toxins due issues with the following physicalities:
- Body mass
- Age
- Medical or mental health conditions
- Genetic factors
Another factor that could cause overdose is snorting or injecting the drug, as these enable the substance to enter the bloodstream quickly at a low doses, thus increasing the risk of overdose. Moreover, since Ketamine raises the blood pressure, someone suffering from hypertension or cardiac conditions is at a greater risk of overdose when taking too much Ketamine.
Ketamine Overdose Symptoms
The following is a list if signs and symptoms that one suffering from Ketamine overdose might experience:
- Dangerously slowed breathing
- Extreme sedation
- Chest pain
- Abdominal pain
- Paranoia
- Anxiety
- Slurred speech
- Dizziness
- Ataxia
- Irregular heart rate
- Unconsciousness
- High blood pressure
- Nausea/vomiting
- Severe confusion
- Seizures
- Paralysis
Some of these symptoms can cause the person to mistakenly cause injury to himself or others. For example, dizziness can result in a bad fall and paralysis can lead to the person to choke on their vomit.
What to do if Someone Overdoses on Ketamine
If you notice the above symptoms in yourself or someone around you, it’s likely that a lethal dose of Ketamine was ingested, or that Ketamine was misused either by snorting, smoking or via injection. Due to the severity of the situation, one shouldn’t deal with it without professional guidance. Your immediate response should be to seek medical advice. Wait with the patient until medical personnel arrive and ensure you have any information ready that might be needed.
Ketamine Overdose Effects
Ketamine overdose can lead to various short-term and long-term effects. According to NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse) they include the following:
Short-term effects:
- Difficulty with staying focused, learning and recalling information
- Increased blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Confusion
- Loss of memory
- Sedation
- Unconsciousness
- Dangerously slowed breathing
The long-term effects:
- Ulcers and pain in the bladder
- Kidney issues
- Stomach pain
- Depression
- Memory loss
Treatment for Ketamine Overdose
Someone experiencing symptoms of Ketamine overdose will require immediate medical supervision and support, and perhaps even medical monitoring. There are currently no antidote medications to combat ketamine overdose but there are some forms of treatment that doctors could turn to. These include:
- Administering activated charcoal to help remove traces of Ketamine in the body.
- Providing intubation if the patient is struggling to breath.
- Dispensing medications that could relieve some overdose symptoms
Treatment for Ketamine Addiction
Often, an overdose can mean that the person is addicted to the substance and needs help to overcome the addiction. Therapy is the best solution as it could help to identify the triggers that caused the addiction in the first place and teach healthy ways to overcome difficulties. We offer unsurpassed addiction treatment services to those that wish to improve their way of life and face a brighter future.
Addiction shouldn’t get in the way of leading a fulfilling happy life. At Avenues Recovery, we aim to provide our patients with all that they need in order to achieve sobriety successfully and with peace of mind. Contact us to hear about our programs and let the journey begin!