How “Special” is Special K?

Special K is the street name for Ketamin hydrochloride, it is also known as ketalar, ketaject, vitamin K and super K. Ketamin is a legal prescription anesthetic for both people and animals (such as its use as a horse tranquilizer). As Wikipedia will tell you, "Like other drugs of this class such as tiletamine and phencyclidine (PCP), it induces a state referred to as 'dissociative anesthesia' and is used as a recreational drug." PCP is known as causing extreme violence as well as other disturbing side effects.

Ketamine has become a drug of abuse and recreational use. Ketamine for recreational use is sourced illegally via the diversion of prescription products. Ketamine is available in a clear liquid or off-white powder form. Ketamine may be injected intravenously or intramuscularly, consumed orally, or added to marijuana and smoked. Like other drugs, such as cocaine, it has an unpleasant aftertaste. In the U.S., ketamine (Ketalar) is a DEA schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act; however, it is not classified as a narcotic.

Abuse of ketamine can lead to powerful visual hallucinations that are intensified by environmental stimuli. When higher doses of ketamine are abused, it is reported to produce an “out-of-body” experience, “K-hole” or “near-death” hallucinogenic experience, often reported as terrifying and uncontrollable. More recently, ketamine has become popular in the U.S. as a “club drug,” often used by teens and young adults at dance “raves.” Ketamine has also been used in instances of “date rape” due to its strong side effect of confusion and/or amnesia.

The hazards and side effects of Ketamine are numerous. Tolerance can build to the effects of ketamine over time, requiring more of the drug to reach the same level of effect. This often happens with the various drugs of abuse, causing the addict to take more and more. The addict, not realizing the deadly effects these drugs can have on the organs and functions of the physical body only seek the desired effect they had in the past, so they take more and more and often never get that high again anyway. As it is of the opinion of many addicts interviewed, that the “first high” of a particular drug is the best, one that can never be repeated and often the individual will keep chasing that moment to deadly results. Just another way addiction is a deadly spiral down.

Some reports suggest that the dissociative effect may disappear over time but this is not conclusive. Dissociative means that the drug alters the users’ perception of light, sound and produces feelings of detachment from one's self and surroundings. Binge use, where the user indulges in the drug in excess amounts in a short period of time, has been reported as well. The effects of long-term use of this deadly drug is unknown at this time.

In 2012, physicians started testing it and using it to treat depression. You most likely have also heard of it in the media as some rising stars have been arrested with quantities of it in their possession, presumably for recreational purposes.

Per Fox News, this month some British scientists are recruiting volunteers to test whether ketamine, (also known as Special K), may be helpful in reducing relapse rates among people with severe alcohol addiction. A study is being done at this time as a trial begins.

Once again we have a strong street drug, known to be used as a party drug, with horrible effects being tested to treat another addiction. Many questions needed to be asked and answered before such a drug should be allowed to be given to the general public, who only seek a solution to the pain of alcoholism.

In choosing a method of drug abuse treatment please get all your questions answered to ensure lasting success from addiction for you or your loved one.

For more information or any questions you may have, please call us at any time for a completely confidential interview. We are here to help anyone in need, our counselors are standing by, please call us.

For questions on this and other drugs, www.narcononojai.org/drug-abuse for answers.