Ketamine Safety Plan

Safer Use

There is no safe way to do any substance, there’s always some form of risk. This includes Ketamine, which has both short and long-term effects to look out for, along with the chance of overdose.

Despite this, there are some safety measures that can be taken when taking ketamine to somewhat reduce the risks. Whilst there are likely more techniques, the following points are what we recommend:

Start low, go slow

Begin with a small dose, especially if you’re unsure of strength or purity.

Test your substance

Use reagent test kits to check for adulterants.

Avoid mixing

Combining Ketamine with alcohol, opioids like heroin, or other depressant drugs such as GHB or benzodiazepines increases the risk of respiratory depression and unconsciousness.

Stay hydrated & nourished

Ketamine can suppress appetite and thirst, so drink water and eat nutritious food.

Use in a safe environment

Be in a familiar place with trusted people. Avoid using in dangerous settings where loss of co-ordination may lead to injury.

Have a sober friend

Someone who can help if needed, especially if you become disoriented.

Know your limits

Frequent use can increase tolerance and lead to dependence or bladder issues.

Overdose Signs

There are several signs of an overdose that can be observed. Of course, everybody is different and thus reacts differently, but the following list contains some of the most common occurrences during an overdose:

unconsciousness
slowed breathing,
inability to respond.

Seek medical help immediately if someone is unresponsive. This includes nearby support from others and a 999 call for an ambulance (112 also works).

Managing Bladder Pain & Ket Cramps

Ketamine can cause both temporary and permanent damage to the body from extended use. The bladder is a particularly common target for this, with inflammation and damage leading to chronic bladder pain & dysfunction. “Ket Cramps” are another problem which can arise, referring to sporadic & recurring abdominal pain from Ketamine misuse.

The following information may help those struggling with these effects:

Avoid baths. Whilst they may seem soothing for discomfort, people have previously drowned when bathing whilst under the influence of Ketamine.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to help flush the harmful toxins from your bladder.
Avoid irritants. Reduce intake of acidic, caffeinated, and alcoholic drinks, which can make bladder discomfort worse. This includes spicy sauces and similar consumable items.
Take breaks from use. Regular breaks from Ketamine can help reduce the risk of developing bladder issues.
Pelvic floor exercises. Strengthening the pelvic muscles may help mitigate some bladder-related issues.
Pain management. If experiencing severe discomfort, use over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and seek medical advice.
Gentle movement & stretching. To relieve cramps, try light stretching or massage to ease muscle tension.

Aftercare & Mental Health

After using and experiencing the short term effects of ketamine, the body is still vulnerable and needs time to rest & recover. In this time, we recommend drinking some water and lying down.

If experiencing persistent bladder pain or unusual mental health changes, seek medical advice and/or support. If needed, 999 or 112 are emergency numbers that can contact emergency services in the UK, although 111 is the non-emergency line for NHS services.

If Ketamine use is becoming problematic, support is available. Scan the QR code for further support from us.

Emergency Response

In the case of an immediate emergency there are a few things we recommend if you are in a position to help:

Firstly, check to see if the person is unresponsive and/or not breathing. If one or both of those are true, either assign yourself or someone else to call emergency services (be specific, call someone out to do it so there’s no delays or confusion). The emergency number is 999 (112 works as well) and the caller should request an ambulance.

Next, if unresponsive, place the person into the “recovery position”. To put someone in the recovery position, do the following: Kneel beside the person and move them so they are flat on their back, then place their nearest arm (to you) at a right angle with their body (elbow bent & palm facing up), then bring their far arm across their face and hold it against their cheek (closest cheek to you), then bend the person’s far knee & grasp their far leg before rolling the person onto their side, then adjust the upper leg to ensure it’s at a right angle and keep their airway clear. This is done to prevent choking if the person vomits -or ejects any other substance from their mouth-, which would otherwise block the airway.

Never leave the person alone. Anything can happen if the person is left alone, where they would be vulnerable and actively endangered.

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