crowd of young people at a music festival

Ketamine Joins Molly as the Drug of Choice at Festivals

This summer like every summer, music festivals are held across the United States. Some are lavish and some are local but the common denominator to most of them is the prolific use of drugs and alcohol. Some specific festivals are renowned for their use of ecstasy – especially the form of ecstasy nicknamed Molly – and other festivals seem to encourage the use of different drugs. But recently, festivals where Molly use has been heavy have seen a switch to a different drug – ketamine.

Ketamine has many nicknames, some of which relate to its use as a veterinary anesthetic: Special K, Kitty, Super K, Kit Kat, Cat Valium. This drug was used as a battlefield anesthetic during the Vietnam War but its use on humans was discontinued because of its severe mental and emotional side effects. It is only used for humans when the use of other anesthetics might cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure.

When abused recreationally, this drug causes sedation, lethargy and a dissociated state. Many ketamine users will keep increasing their dosage until they reach a point that they can’t connect with their own bodies, identities or thoughts — a state referred to as a “k-hole.” At music festivals, heavy ketamine users will often be seen lying or sitting unresponsive, lost in some other universe. Ketamine also has the potential to cause hallucinations similar to those of LSD.

Some ketamine users feel that the drug intensifies the experience of listening to music, which explains its use at music festivals. At lower dosages, users can manage to dance to the music.

Damage from Ketamine Use

Just like with other drugs, the effects of ketamine can be severe for the heavy user. Ketamine is psychologically addictive and damaging to the kidneys and bladder. Continued use—especially when combined with ecstasy, a popular combination in Asia—can destroy a person’s bladder. Urination becomes extremely painful and the bladder must be reconstructed or removed from some chronic users.

Chronic ketamine users often lose the ability to think clearly or remember what was learned. They may suffer from severe depression and may experience periods of amnesia.

Ketamine Use Increases Internationally

Several years ago, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reported increased ketamine abuse in Hong Kong, Southern China, Eastern Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.

The last few years in the U.S., music festivals have recently become associated with high levels of hospitalizations and even drug-related deaths. This does not seem to deter those who enjoy the freedom of being outdoors with like-minded people and listening to a lot of music. Whether used at a music festival or in the privacy of one’s home, ketamine is yet another dangerous and harmful substance that lures in young adults.

AUTHOR

Sue Birkenshaw

Sue has worked in the addiction field with the Narconon network for three decades. She has developed and administered drug prevention programs worldwide and worked with numerous drug rehabilitation centers over the years. Sue is also a fine artist and painter, who enjoys traveling the world which continues to provide unlimited inspiration for her work. You can follow Sue on Twitter, or connect with her on LinkedIn.

NARCONON OJAI

DRUG EDUCATION AND REHABILITATION