ADIS 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support
For Friends and Family
Self Assessment Quiz
ADIS is a 24 hour, 7 day a week confidential support service for people in Queensland with alcohol and other drug concerns, their loved ones and health professionals.
You can call our team at any time for counselling, information and advice. Experienced counsellors are here to listen and give you options about the next steps.
Also called K, ket, special K, super K, vitamin K, kitkat
Understanding ketamine
Ketamine is a depressant drug which means that it slows down and interferes with the functioning of the brain and the body. Ketamine is an anaesthetic agent used to provide pain relief during medical procedures. Ketamine is usually manufactured as a liquid for this purpose.
Tablet or pill
How is it used?
Snorted
What are the possible short-term effects?
People may use ketamine to induce feelings of euphoria, to feel relaxed, or to experience feelings of dissociation (being detached from the body).
Other short-term effects include:
Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Muscle rigidity
People who inject are at higher risk of additional harms such as:
Bacterial and fungal infection
Damage to the circulatory system
Increased likelihood of overdose
Ketamine affects people differently depending on a range of factors including, how strong it is, how much is consumed, whether it is used with other drugs, and the individual characteristics of the person. Ketamine, when mixed with alcohol and other drugs, increases the risk of an overdose. It is important to know that there is no safe level of use.
What are the possible long-term effects?
Serious bladder problems
Intense abdominal pain
Mood and personality changes
Ketamine use and pregnancy
People who are concerned about their ketamine use should talk to their doctor or health professional.
What are the signs of a ketamine problem?
Spending a great deal of time getting, using, or recovering from the effects
Using in greater amounts, or for longer than originally planned
Needing to use more to get the same effect
Having cravings, difficulties stopping/reducing use
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
Social problems including relationship issues, financial problems, impacts on study or work and legal problems
Thinking about cutting back or stopping?
Sometimes it can take a few attempts to cut back or stop.
Focus on reasons for cutting down or stopping
Avoid 'triggers' (i.e. things associated with using such as places, people, and stressful situations)
Ask a friend, family member, or health professional for support
What help is available?
Adis 24/7 Alcohol and Drug Support is a 24 hour, 7 day a week confidential support service for people in Queensland with alcohol and other drug concerns, their loved ones and health professionals.
Talk to us. Anytime, anywhere.
What should I do in an emergency?
Signs of a ketamine overdose may include:
Slow breathing
Dissociation and hallucinations
If the person has collapsed or lost consciousness, call an ambulance on triple zero (000). If they have stopped breathing commence CPR. If they are breathing normally, place them into the recovery position.
Adis - Understanding Ketamine Fact Sheet
Adis fact sheet about ketamine, also known as K, Special K, Super K, Vitamin K, Kitkat.
Take a self assessment quiz, it's free and only takes 5 minutes.
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Adis is a Queensland Health initiative proudly delivered by Metro North Hospital and Health Service.
Adis acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands and waterways upon which we live and work. We celebrate the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and pay our respect to the Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.