Ketamine, commonly known as Special K, is a psychedelic dissociative drug that has been used since the 1970s by both veterinary and medical practitioners.
Its main medical application is as an anesthetic or tranquilizer, and it has gained popularity in recent years as a treatment for depression and other mental health disorders.
Ketamine causes feelings of sensory distortion, detachment, and relaxation. At higher doses, it can also induce hallucinogenic effects similar to LSD, making it a popular new club drug.
It is also sometimes used as a date rape drug due to its sedating effects. People who abuse ketamine as a recreational drug may do so by smoking, snorting, injecting, or swallowing it.
Although ketamine does have practical, legal uses, it also has a potential for abuse and addiction. Ketamine should only be used as directed by a healthcare professional.
The Street Cost Of Ketamine
Illicit ketamine comes in either powder or liquid form, and it is typically sold by the gram. While many people don’t measure exact doses of ketamine, a gram can equal roughly 10 doses.
| Dosage | Price |
|---|---|
| 1 g | $40 - $100 |
| 10 mL | $20 - $100 |
Factors That Influence The Cost Of Street Drugs
Several different factors can affect the cost of ketamine, including location, purity, local drug laws, and demand.
Ketamine is made in countries including America, Mexico, China, Colombia, and Germany. Substances that are made within the country are likely to be cheaper.
Purity is another crucial factor affecting price. In recent years, ketamine and other substances, like cocaine and prescription pills, have been increasingly cut with fillers like fentanyl, a powerful opioid with a high risk of fatal overdose.
Ketamine that has been laced with additives is usually cheaper than pure ketamine. However, higher prices do not necessarily indicate purity. Buying any drugs illegally comes with a risk of exposure to fentanyl or other dangerous additives.
States where psychedelic substances like ketamine are decriminalized are likely to have lower prices, since there is less risk involved in drug dealing.
Cost Of Ketamine Infusions Vs. Street Ketamine
The price of legal ketamine infusions can vary significantly, much like illicit ketamine. However, there are some average costs you can expect to find.
The cost is affected primarily by dose size, duration of the infusion, the healthcare provider, and what the ketamine infusion is being used for.
Typically, ketamine infusions cost between $400 and $800 per treatment, but some can range up to $2,000 per treatment.
Most providers recommend receiving four to six ketamine infusions for a full course of treatment. Some may also recommend maintenance doses once per month for chronic pain.
Ketamine infusions for pain, depression, and other mental health disorders generally cost the same amount, with small variations.
The high prices of legal ketamine infusions may be a driving factor in the rise of illegal ketamine purchases.
Dangers Of Ketamine Abuse
There are a number of physical and mental health risks associated with the use of ketamine. These risks are heightened if the drug is used in conjunction with other drugs, like MDMA or methamphetamines.
Ketamine used with alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants can lead to respiratory depression or fatal overdose in severe cases.
While studies on long-term ketamine abuse are still limited, there is some evidence demonstrating that it can impair brain function, cause high blood pressure, or lead to liver damage.
Since ketamine can cause physical dependence, there is also a risk of experiencing withdrawal symptoms after stopping use. While not fatal, withdrawal can be an uncomfortable process.
It can also increase the risk of addiction. Drug addiction comes with serious health risks, including mental health issues.
Ketamine withdrawal symptoms may include:
- cravings
- depression or anxiety
- mood swings
- insomnia
- fatigue
- nausea
- tremors
- heart palpitations
- changes in body temperature
Substance Abuse Treatment Services
No two people experience addiction the same way, so substance abuse treatment programs are often tailored based on the individual needs of the client.
People with more severe addictions are more likely to require inpatient services like medically assisted detoxification or residential treatment.
Some people, such as those with milder addictions, may be able to continue going to work or school each day, which makes them good candidates for outpatient programs.
Treatment services may include medication-assisted treatment (MAT), individual therapy, group counseling, 12-step programming, relapse prevention, and more.
Find A Substance Abuse Treatment Center Today
If you or a loved one is experiencing drug addiction or dependency, don’t wait to find help. Contact us today to learn more about your treatment options.
Article Sources- Justice.gov – Ketamine
https://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs10/10255/10255p.pdf - Ketamine Clinics Directory – Cost of Ketamine Infusion
https://ketamineclinicsdirectory.com/ketamine-infusion-cost/ - U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) – Ketamine
https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/ketamine
