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Published on: April 23, 2019
Recreational Ketamine Use among Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder: Demographics, Motivations, and Polysubstance
Corinne L Chandler1,2, Mance E Buttram1,2, Matthew S Ellis3
1Department of Health, Human Performance & Recreation, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, USA.
Substance Use & Misuse
|May 2, 2025
Summary
Recreational ketamine use is rising among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD). Many use ketamine for psychoactive effects or self-treatment, often alongside other substances, posing significant health risks.
Area of Science:
- Addiction research
- Psychopharmacology
- Public health
Background:
- Recreational ketamine use is increasing.
- Understanding ketamine's role in polysubstance use among individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the patterns and motivations of ketamine use within a population of individuals with OUD.
- To examine the co-occurrence of ketamine with other substances in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Survey data collected from treatment-seeking individuals with OUD in March 2022.
- Analysis of demographic factors, usage motivations, and co-occurring substance use.
Main Results:
- 28.6% of 301 respondents reported lifetime ketamine use, more common in males and less in rural areas.
- Motivations included psychoactive effects (70.9%) and self-treatment of health issues (46.4%), including OUD symptoms.
- High prevalence of polysubstance use with ketamine (70.7%), involving marijuana, alcohol, cocaine, and opioids.
- 32.1% reported negative experiences, including CNS complications and mental distress.
Conclusions:
- Ketamine use among individuals with OUD is associated with diverse motivations and frequent polysubstance use.
- Self-treating OUD or other health issues with ketamine, especially in polysubstance contexts, elevates risks for adverse psychiatric and physical health outcomes, including overdose.
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