Ketamine and alcohol are both substances commonly used recreationally.
The use of the two together is becoming more popular with the rising use of ketamine, where it’s suggested that consumption of the drug has increased by 229% since 2021.
People believe that when taken together they enhance certain effects, but in reality mixing ketamine and alcohol can be extremely dangerous. Both substances affect the central nervous system, and can significantly increase the risk of serious health complications.
Because mixing the two carries even more risk, it’s important to understand the effects and dangers of combining ketamine and alcohol.
What Is Ketamine?
Ketamine is a short-acting anaesthetic, used in surgical settings for humans and animals to induce sleep and relieve pain.
Though legally used as an anaesthetic, it is illegally used recreationally for its dissociative and hallucinogenic effects where it is snorted as a powder or injected into muscle.
Ketamine affects the brain and body by acting on your central nervous system. It will reduce sensation, alter your mood and perception, produce feelings of dissociation, and cause hallucinations.
How Does Alcohol Affect the Body?
Alcohol is also a central nervous system depressant, slowing your body down by impairing your coordination, reaction times, judgement, mood, and physical functioning.
The effects of alcohol become more pronounced as you drink because your body becomes overwhelmed and is unable to metabolise the alcohol efficiently.
What Happens When You Mix Ketamine and Alcohol?
Alcohol and ketamine affect different neurotransmitter systems in your body, but in specific ways that inhibit specific brain signalling. Together, the combination impairs brain function, coordination, awareness, and decision-making.
Studies have found that ketamine can produce alcohol-like effects, meaning that combining the two can intensify the effects of each substance, resulting in unpredictable reactions.
Combined, ketamine and alcohol put huge strain on the central nervous system, your liver, which is trying to process them both, the stomach and your cardiovascular system.
The Short-Term Effects of Mixing Ketamine and Alcohol
The combination of ketamine and alcohol affects you immediately. Short-term side effects of Ketamine and Alcohol abuse include:
- Extreme drowsiness
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Loss of coordination
- Nausea and vomiting
- Memory impairment
- Poor judgement
- Increased risk of accidents and injuries
These effects may even occur at smaller doses as each substance intensifies the other’s impact.
Why Is Mixing Ketamine and Alcohol So Dangerous?
The enhanced dangers created when both substances are taken together occur because they both suppress vital bodily functions, potentially leading to:
- Passing Out – The sedative effects of both substances can overwhelm the brain’s ability to stay alert, leading to loss of consciousness.
- Blackouts – Memory formation can be disrupted, resulting in gaps in memory.
- Respiratory depression – Breathing can become slower and shallower with reduced oxygen levels throughout the body.
- Choking on vomit – Impaired reflexes can increase the risk of aspiration.
- Serious accidents – Loss of coordination and awareness raises your chances of falls and injuries through engaging in unsafe behaviour.
- Medical emergencies – Unpredictable behaviour caused when under the influence can quickly escalate into life-threatening situations
People may underestimate the risks involved because they are trying to achieve different things by using the substances, or believe alcohol will soften the effects, unaware that the opposite occurs.
Can Mixing Ketamine and Alcohol Cause an Overdose?
In short. Yes.
Severe combined intoxication means that your central nervous system is being even more depressed, leading to unconsciousness and dangerously slow breathing. This can be fatal if your oxygen levels drop too low or if your breathing stops altogether. Potential warning signs of an overdose include:
- Unresponsiveness
- Slow or irregular breathing
- Bluish lips or skin
- Repeated vomiting
- Seizures
If any of the above start to happen, seek immediate medical assistance and call emergency services.
What Is a “K-Hole” and Does Alcohol Increase the Risk?
K-Holes are a state of dissociation that occurs following increased ketamine use. In this state, you feel detached from your body and reality, finding speech, movement, and awareness incredibly difficult.
Alcohol can increase the likelihood of reaching a K-Hole as it adds strong CNS depression to ketamine’s dissociative effects, making disorientation more intense and increasing the feeling of detachment.
How Does Mixing Ketamine and Alcohol Affect Mental Health?
Mixing ketamine and alcohol can also affect your mental health too, with symptoms including:
- Anxiety – The continued impact on neurotransmitters and nervous system disruption can increase feelings of fear, unease, or worry.
- Panic – Sudden confusion and loss of control may trigger panic attacks.
- Confusion – Both substances make it hard to think clearly or understand where you are.
- Emotional instability – Under the influence, you can experience rapid mood changes, resulting in unpredictable emotional responses.
- Depression – Impaired mood regulation may worsen low mood during or after use.
- Impaired judgement – On ketamine and alcohol, your decision-making will be lax, increasing risky and unreliable behaviour.
Repeated use may also worsen these effects over time, contributing to ongoing mental health issues.
Long-Term Risks of Combining Ketamine and Alcohol
Ongoing misuse of both ketamine and alcohol will result in long-term health issues including:
- Reduced Cognitive function – Reduced attention, decision-making, and processing.
- Memory Problems – Persistent short- and long-term memory problems.
- Reduced Mental well-being – Increased risk of anxiety, depression, and stress.
- Strained Liver health – Consistent strain on the liver from near-constant alcohol metabolism.
- Poor Urinary tract and bladder health – Ketamine causes bladder damage, inflammation, and pain.
- Problems with relationships and daily functioning – Chronic substance use will lead to strained relationships, reduced work or study performance, and problems functioning day-to-day.
Repeated use of both substances also increases the likelihood of developing an addiction, as tolerance grows, your body becomes dependent, and compulsive use develops.
Can You Become Addicted to Ketamine and Alcohol?
Alcohol addiction is both physical and psychological. Ketamine is not thought to be physically addictive; it won’t cause withdrawal, but people can become psychologically addicted to it.
People may begin using the combination habitually, which results in the addictions becoming intertwined and an entrenched behaviour as tolerance builds and more is needed to feel the same effects.
Signs of addiction include:
- Cravings
- Loss of control over use
- Increasing use
- Continued use despite negative consequences
Warning Signs That Substance Use May Be Becoming a Problem
There may come a time when you need professional help. It’s vital to know the warning signs so that you can act before the situation worsens.
Signs that you need professional help with ketamine and alcohol abuse include:
- Frequent binge drinking
- Regular ketamine use
- Using substances to cope with emotions
- Neglecting responsibilities
- Relationship difficulties
- Financial problems
- Withdrawal from normal activities
Early intervention can improve outcomes because you may not yet be suffering from severe mental and physical health complications. You’ll learn coping mechanisms before destructive behaviours become entrenched in your life, and you may avoid crises such as hospitalisation or severe legal issues.
How Is Addiction to Ketamine and Alcohol Treated?
Alcohol and ketamine addiction treatment consists of a comprehensive approach that deals with both the physical and psychological sides of addiction. At Cassiobury Court, we offer a bespoke programme that suits your unique situation.
Your treatment path will likely include:
- Medical detoxification, where appropriate
- Residential rehabilitation
- Therapy and counselling
- Relapse prevention strategies
- Ongoing recovery support
Substance use is typically the symptom. A comprehensive approach to treatment means treating both substance use and any underlying mental health concerns to better prevent relapses and help you build a stronger platform on which to live a sober life.
When Should You Seek Professional Help?
It’s good to ask for help. Knowing the signs of when you need help, asking for support and the most important steps towards recovery.
You should seek professional help if you notice signs including:
- Escalating alcohol and ketamine use
- Experiencing health complications
- Have gone through failed attempts to stop
- Alcohol and ketamine use are having an impact on daily life
If you recognise these signs in your life, it may be time for help. Cassiobury Court provides professional and private rehabilitation for those suffering from ketamine and alcohol addiction.
Get Professional Support with Ketamine and Alcohol Addiction Today
Mixing ketamine and alcohol can impact every aspect of your life, leading to increased risk of overdose, long-term physical and mental health problems and increased risk of addiction.
If your ketamine or alcohol use is becoming difficult to control, seek professional help today. Contact Cassiobury Court now for confidential support and guidance.
