Illicit Use of Ketamine in Scotland

Abstract

Semistructured interviews were carried out with 20 illicit users of ketamine in Scotland. Participants had used a wide range of illegal drugs. Scottish drug agencies reported limited contact with ketamine users; however, subjects were knowledgeable regarding the licit purpose of ketamine, its effects, and its legal status. Ketamine was usually obtained through diversion from legitimate sources. Three participants reported extensive use, indicating the potential for psychological dependence. A standard dose of ketamine was typically 1/8 g, usually taken intranasally. Participants reported the ketamine experience as being extremely intense and dissociative, usually lasting for approximately one hour. All participants reported using ketamine in a carefully preplanned setting, emphasizing comfort, security, and familiarity. Participants identified potential problems arising from using ketamine in a public place, or in unfamiliar surroundings, and also suggested that novice users may encounter problems through lack of knowledge concerning the intense nature of the experience. Accurate information concerning the effects and nature of ketamine as well as the importance of set and setting should be made available. However, publicizing the drug should be avoided as widespread interest could cause greater problems than currently exist.

The role of setting for ketamine abuse: clinical and preclinical evidence

“…More uncertain are the numbers for Europe. Reports of widespread recreational use of ketamine in the UK began to appear in the literature from the early 1990s (Jansen, 1993;Dalgarno and Shewan, 1996). Estimates suggest an increase in the number of ketamine users from approximately 85,000 in 200685,000 in /200785,000 in to approximately 113,000 in 200885,000 in /200985,000 in (Hoare, 2009.…”

“…The non-medical use of ketamine dates from the late 1960s, when the drug began spreading from the ParkeDavis Laboratories in Michigan to other states, particularly Florida, where it was sold as a hallucinogen with names such as ' mean green ' and ' rockmesc ' (i.e., ' rock mescaline ' ) (Jansen, 2004 (Dalgarno and Shewan, 1996). Other street names of ketamine are ' Special K ' , ' Vitamin K ' , ' K ' , ' Kit-kat ' , ' Keets ' , ' super acid ' , ' cut valium ' , and ' jet ' .…”

First injection of ketamine among young injection drug users (IDUs) in three U.S. cities

“…Though, its more ubiquitous powder form is commonly administered intranasally (Curran and Morgan, 2000;Dalgarno and Shewan, 1996;Dotson et al, 1995;Jansen, 2001;Joe Laidler, 2005;Reynolds, 1997), which results in a quicker, shorter acting high compared to oral administration (Julien, 1992). More recently, ketamine has emerged as a drug increasingly common among new subgroups of young IDUs (Community Epidemiology Working Group, 2004;Dillon et al, 2003;Lankenau andClatts, 2002, 2004).…”

Genotoxic effects of N-nitrosoketamine and ketamine as assessed by in vitro micronucleus test in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cell line

“…The normal concentrations in the tablet form, which has recently been abused for recreational usage, tend to range from 100 to 200 mg (8,26). Therefore, plasma KT or NKT concentration does not increase the frequency of micronuclei induced by KT at 2000 μg/ml or NKT at 250 μg/ml when a drug abuser ingests 200 mg of KT.…”

“…Ketamine ((±)-2-methylamino-2-(2-chlorophenyl)cyclohexanone) hydrochloride (KT), used as an intravenous or intramuscular anesthetic, is a secondary amine. However, KT in the tablet form has recently become an abused, recreational drug (8)(9)(10)(11)(12). We are concerned about the gastric production of N-nitrosoketamine (NKT) and its genotoxicity in persons who abuse KT in the tablet form.…”