Reducing risks from ketamine - Ketamine

There are always risks if you use drugs. But some people may be more at risk than others.

If you or someone in your family has any health conditions or mental health difficulties, you may be more at risk of a drug emergency.

It can be hard to know your level of risk. Some people have health conditions and do not know it.

If you feel low, anxious or stressed, you are more at risk of a negative or challenging experience.

Pick a meeting point and look out for each other. Do not use alone.

Prepare a plan with your buddy on what to do in case of an emergency.

This may be that you both agree to:

• learn the signs of an overdose
• call the emergency services
• stay with the other person until help arrives

This is to reduce the risk of choking on your vomit.

Ketamine can make you:

• get sick (vomit)
• feel drowsy or lose consciousness

If you are with someone who took ketamine, put them on their side.

This is to reduce the risk of an overdose or drug emergency.

The contents or strength of drugs can vary, even in the same batch.

If you start with a small amount, you can:

• see how you react
• stop if you get an effect you did not expect or do not want

It can take up to 2 hours for some effects to happen. If you take too much too soon, it increases your risk.

This is to reduce the risk of accidents or injuries. Ketamine can affect your control of your body and make you less aware of your surroundings.

Noisy or busy places can cause an overwhelming experience. For example, at a club or festival.

Plan a safe way to get home. It is dangerous to drive if drugs are in your system. You could harm yourself or other people. A drug can still be in your system even if you do not feel the effects.

Only take with you what you intend to use. This can reduce the risk of taking too much in 1 session.

To keep track of what you use each session, you could:

• set an alarm
• note the time you use - for example, take a screenshot on your phone

Take breaks between use to reduce your risk of tolerance, mental health difficulties and bladder problems.

Make sure you get enough food and rest.

Injecting drugs increases the risk of overdose and can cause vein damage or infections.

How to reduce risks if you snort, smoke or inject drugs

Putting crushed pills or powders in drinks increases the risk of taking too much too soon. There is also a risk that someone else could drink them by mistake. Crush and dab a small amount of powder instead.

If you put powders in drinks, use a very small amount and check that the powder dissolves.

This is to reduce the risk of dehydration and water intoxication. Ketamine can increase your body temperature, make you thirsty and stop you peeing.

But if you drink too much water, your body pushes the extra water into your cells. The extra water causes a salt imbalance and swelling in your brain cells.

Ketamine can reduce your inhibitions. There are things you can do to look after yourself and your partners if you could have sex when you take drugs.

Drugs and sex

Using drugs or alcohol to cope with comedowns can make you feel worse.

Try to:

• get enough sleep or rest
• eat well
• keep in contact with friends and check if they are OK too
• talk to someone you trust about how you feel if you had a negative experience or witnessed something that worries you
• do some light activity, such as a walk - it releases chemicals in your brain that improve your mood (endorphins)
• do some relaxation exercises to manage stress, anxiety and worry
• take regular breaks from drugs and alcohol
• get medical advice if you have thoughts or feelings that worry you

To relieve bladder pain and cramps you can:

• do gentle stretches
• go for a slow walk
• drink water in small sips
• use a heat pack instead of a bath

Ketamine can make you drowsy and tired. There is a risk of drowning if you take a bath too soon after using ketamine.

Avoid taking more ketamine, other drugs or putting someone in a bath.

If you take any kind of drug, it is important to know:

• ways to cope with challenging experiences
• signs of a drug emergency, including signs related to mental health
• what to do in case of overdose or other emergencies

If you know what to do during a challenging experience, it could stop a situation getting worse and help you support someone. But it is always safest to get medical advice if someone has overwhelming or unexpected effects.

Getting help can prevent serious damage or death. Your wellbeing is the main priority.

Drug overdose and emergencies