Developed in the 1960s, ketamine was originally used as a short-acting anesthetic. Since then, it’s shown promise in helping individuals with treatment-resistant depression. Ketamine infusion therapy reduces depressive symptoms by promoting the formation of new neural connections in the brain.
Although medical ketamine is safe when administered by a health care professional, some individuals use it recreationally, especially at clubs and parties.
Because ketamine has effects on the brain, recreational use can contribute to mental health problems. Safe Haven Recovery is committed to delivering informed care and personalized substance abuse treatment to help individuals recovering from a psychological or physical dependence on ketamine.
What Is Ketamine and How Is It Used?
From Operating Rooms to Club Scenes
Ketamine has long been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use as a general anesthetic. It’s also used to treat severe pain following surgical procedures or traumatic injuries.
In 2019, the FDA approved ketamine for patients with treatment-resistant depression. Since then, ketamine infusion therapy has become a growing therapeutic trend.
The increased use of medical ketamine has led to a corresponding increase in recreational use. Ketamine is a hallucinogenic drug, so it produces a full-body high that causes the user to feel extremely relaxed. Because ketamine has pain-relieving properties, some individuals also use it to deal with chronic pain.
Is Ketamine Legal for Recreational Use?
So, is ketamine legal for recreational use? No, ketamine isn’t legal for recreational use in the United States.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classifies drugs based on their accepted medical uses and the potential for abuse. Ketamine is listed as a Schedule III drug, so there’s a low to moderate risk of physical dependence.
California law also prohibits the possession of ketamine without a valid prescription. This law applies in Beverly Hills and all other jurisdictions in California.
Why Recreational Ketamine Use Is Risky
Immediate Effects and Dangers
The short-term effects of ketamine include hallucinations, poor coordination and dissociation, all of which can lead to accidental injuries. For example, if someone falls off a curb due to the poor coordination associated with ketamine use, they may break a bone or sustain a head injury.
Long-Term Risks
Over time, it’s possible to develop a physical or psychological dependence on ketamine. If you develop a physical dependence, you’ll experience withdrawal symptoms if you stop using ketamine suddenly.
Psychological dependence is what causes you to experience cravings for a specific substance. You become emotionally attached to ketamine, making it difficult to stop using it even when it has negative effects on your life.
As your tolerance increases, it’s possible you’ll develop memory issues. Ketamine affects several parts of the brain, so it can interfere with memory and other cognitive functions. Long-term ketamine use also increases the risk of damage to the urinary system.
Mental Health Impacts
Although ketamine helps with depression when administered by a medical professional, recreational ketamine use has been linked to worsening depression and anxiety. Using ketamine recreationally can also mask the symptoms of trauma-related conditions.
If ketamine use is linked to trauma or depression, our dual-diagnosis treatment program can address both addiction and mental health.
How Recreational Use Leads to Ketamine Dependence
From Experimentation to Addiction
Some people start out by experimenting with ketamine. They use it at parties or take it to relax after a stressful week.
Over time, your body gets used to the effects of ketamine. Once you build a tolerance, you have to take more of the substance every time to experience the same effects.
With medical ketamine use, you’re under the supervision of a licensed professional who knows how to administer the drug safely. If you’re experimenting on your own, there’s no way to know exactly how much ketamine you’re using.
Eventually, you develop a dependence on the drug, causing you to experience withdrawal symptoms when you try to cut back. This makes supervised medical detox critical for withdrawing safely.
For example, Safe Haven’s drug detox program provides professional care to safely manage withdrawal from drugs like ketamine.
Treatment Options for Ketamine Misuse
Do You Need Detox for Ketamine?
Once you develop a physical dependence on ketamine, it’s difficult to stop using, as the withdrawal process can cause severe symptoms. Medical detox is necessary to lessen the severity of these symptoms and keep you safe during withdrawal.
A prescription drug detox program gives you access to licensed medical professionals who can prescribe medications and provide other services to keep you comfortable.
Therapy and Ongoing Support
Ketamine addiction treatment often includes behavioral therapy, group counseling and other services. If you have another mental health condition in addition to your ketamine addiction, you may also benefit from dual-diagnosis care, which treats both disorders at the same time.
Treatment is available on an inpatient or outpatient basis. If you choose inpatient treatment, you’ll stay in our treatment center while you receive counseling and other services.
Those not needing inpatient care may choose our outpatient addiction program, which offers counseling and support while you maintain daily life.
Full-Spectrum Help at Safe Haven
Safe Haven’s substance abuse treatment program offers a full continuum of care (detox, therapy, aftercare) tailored for any drug addiction, including ketamine. This ensures you withdraw safely from ketamine and receive the help you need to address your addiction.
In addition to counseling and group therapy, Safe Haven Recovery offers fitness programs, mindfulness meditation and other holistic treatments to help you relax and focus on your recovery.
What You Can Do If You or a Loved One Is Struggling
Potential signs of ketamine use include sudden changes in behavior, mood swings and memory loss. Some people also experience legal or financial issues due to their ketamine use.
If you’re concerned about a loved one, have an honest conversation with them. Instead of being judgmental, let them know you’re worried about them and want them to live their best life. Offer to provide support and help your loved one find a treatment program.
If you’re concerned about ketamine use, Safe Haven’s licensed clinicians can guide you toward the right path. Reach out for a confidential consultation.
Stay Informed, Stay Safe
Although ketamine has legitimate medical uses, recreational use can have serious physical and psychological consequences. Education and professional treatment can help you reduce the risk of harm associated with ketamine misuse.
Knowledge is the first step. If you’re ready for support, explore our treatment programs today.
Sources:
- Hirota, K., & Lambert, D. G. (2022). Ketamine: History and role in anesthetic pharmacology. Neuropharmacology, 216, Article 109171.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109171
- Yale Medicine. (2024, March 18). Ketamine for depression: How it works. Yale Medicine. Retrieved from https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/ketamine-for-depression
- Rosenbaum, S. B., Gupta, V., Patel, P., & Palacios, J. L. (2024, January 30). Ketamine. In StatPearls [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470357/
- Peskin, E., Gudin, J., & Schatman, M. E. (2023). Increased demand for ketamine infusions and associated complexities. Journal of Pain Research, 16, 295–299.https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S403323
- Drug Enforcement Administration. (n.d.). Drug Scheduling. Retrieved June 11, 2025, from https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
- State of California Legislature. (n.d.). California Health and Safety Code § 11377. Retrieved from https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=HSC§ionNum=11377
- Strous, J. F. M., Weeland, C. J., van der Draai, F. A., Daams, J. G., Denys, D., Lok, A., Schoevers, R. A., & Figee, M. (2022). Brain changes associated with long‑term ketamine abuse: A systematic review. Frontiers in Neuroanatomy, 16, Article 795231. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnana.2022.795231
