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What you should know about Ketamine
Ketamine is a dissociative drug used in human and animal medicine. Ketamine can be snorted, injected or taken orally. Young people helped create this page, working alongside the Unity service. Therefore, the stories featured relate specifically to Norfolk.
⚠️Contaminated Ketamine⚠️
Some Ketamine in Norfolk has been found to contain dangerous synthetic opioids called Nitazenes. Nitazenes have been linked to overdoses and even deaths.
Risks of using Ketamine
Hover over the photos below, to see the risks of using Ketamine.
Physical Health
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Accidental Injuries
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Stomach Pain “K-Cramps”
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Nausea and Vomiting
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Serious Bladder Problems
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Loss of Coordination
Agitation
Feeling Disconnected or Psychotic Symptoms
Low Mood or Depression
Panic Attacks
Memory Problems
Mental Health
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Agitation
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Feeling Disconnected or Psychotic Symptoms
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Low Mood or Depression
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Panic AttacksMemory Problems
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Overdose and Possible DeathFeeling Rough During the Come Down
Substance-Related Effects
Ketamine Bladder
About 20-30% of people who use ketamine experience bladder problems (called ketamine-induced cystitis). Symptoms include:
Bladder Pain
Blood in urine
Needing to pee often or urgently
Incontinence (can't control when you pee)
Pain in lower abdomen, loins, or genital
How Ketamine Damages the Bladder
Check out this short video from Kirsty, our Lead Nurse, where she explains how ketamine damages the bladder!
Stay Safe: Tips for You and Your Mates
If you decide to use ketamine, it’s important to know there are always risks. The only way to completely avoid these risks is to not use Ketamine. But if you do decide to use it, keep these tips in mind:
Low and Slow: Trying something new? Go low and slow. Start with just a quarter of a hit until you know how it affects you. Remember every batch will be different, even if you get it from the same supplier.
Never Use Alone: Always have someone you trust nearby. It may be helpful to carry a Naloxone kit - just in case. Naloxone will not reverse the effects of ketamine; however, if your ketamine has been cut with an opioid substance, it can reverse those effects. You need to be prepared to call an ambulance if needed, you wont get into trouble for this.
Test First: If you’re with friends, only one person should try a small amount of the drug first to check how it feels before anyone else does. It may be a lot stronger than what you usually use.
Don’t Mix: Combining drugs, especially with alcohol, seriously increases your risk of overdose. Stick to one thing at a time.
Look Out for Your Mates: Watch for overdose signs, like if someone:
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Won’t wake up or respond when you shake them or call their name.
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Has shallow breathing, loud snoring, or gasping sounds.
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Has blue lips or fingertips.
Be Ready to Help: If someone overdoses:
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Call 999 straight away and ask for an ambulance.
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Use Naloxone if you suspect opiates may be involved. You might need more than one dose. It usually works within 2–3 minutes, but if the person doesn’t respond, give them another dose and wait another 2–3 minutes.
Snorting
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If snorting Ketamine, ensure you alternate nostrils and clean nostrils after use to lessen the damage to the nostrils.
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Use a clean personal sniffing straw, never share straws, notes or keys as these can lead to the spread of blood-borne viruses such as HIV, Hepatitis B and C.
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Crush substances finely, larger bits can damage the delicate lining of the nostril causing cuts that can lead to infection or nose bleeds.
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Before use, use a saline spray to hydrate nasal lining and reduce irritation.
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After use, use sterile or bottled water or a saline spray, to flush any residue from your nostrils, this will prevent any left over substance sitting in your nostrils and causing any damage.
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Nasal damage: Nose bleeds, scabs in the nostrils, whistling sound from nose, persistent runny nose, loss of smell or pain would indicate damage to the nasal passage and indicate its time to rest your nostrils! Try and take a break and seek medical advice.
Ketamine & Overdose Safety
Ketamine is sometimes cut with other harmful substances. If one of these substances is an opioid (e.g. nitazine, heroin, codeine), naloxone can be a life-saving medication. It reverses the effects of an opioid overdose if used quickly. Naloxone often needs repeat doses, so it’s crucial to call 999 immediately and get an ambulance on the way. If someone has overdosed and you’re not sure what they’ve taken, you can still give them Naloxone - it won’t harm them, and it could save their life. Don’t worry about getting in trouble. Ambulances don’t bring police unless there’s a specific reason.
There’s currently no medication to reverse overdoses from non-opioid substances like ketamine itself, so calling emergency services quickly is essential.
Need Naloxone?: If you don’t have a kit or yours is out of date, speak with us.
Test your Drugs: Want to know what’s really in your drugs? Use the free testing service at www.wedinos.org
Stories from Young People
Hear from young people about the impact of ketamine use on their lives.
Ketamine Video
ketamine
About
The Matthew Project
If you’re under 19 and using ketamine or other substances, our Unity service is here to support you. You won’t get in trouble for reaching out. Click the button below to learn more about the Unity service.
If you are 19 or over, you will need to contact Change Grow Live.
