Ketamine use rising in the US: What the latest data reveals, and why home drug testing matters

Ketamine use among US adults is rising, and not in the way many people assume.

A study published in The Lancet Regional Health – Americas found that non-medical ketamine use has been increasing among adults since 2021, even as reported use among teenagers has declined, pointing to a shift in who is actually using the drug.

A separate study tracking nightclub attendees in New York City found that between 2017 and 2024, past-year ketamine use nearly doubled (from 7.4% to 14.3%), while past-month use more than doubled (from 3.1% to 6.8%).

Supporting data from US poison control centers shows ketamine-related poisonings reaching their highest recorded number in 2023, more than doubling since 2019.

Here, we take a closer look at ketamine, why ketamine use carries more risk than many people realize, and how an at-home drug test can offer peace of mind for concerned parents and families.

What is ketamine?

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic, meaning it produces sensations of detachment, numbness, and distorted perception. It was developed in the 1960s and is still used in medicine today for pain relief and anesthesia, in veterinary settings to sedate animals and, more recently, as an off-label treatment for certain mental health conditions.

Outside of its clinical uses, ketamine is often misused recreationally for its dissociative and euphoric effects.

It’s typically sold as a white or off-white powder, though it can also be found in liquid or tablet form, and is usually snorted, injected, swallowed (dissolved in a drink) or smoked with marijuana or tobacco.

In the US, ketamine is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it has recognized medical uses but also carries potential for abuse and dependency.

This dual status is part of what makes tracking ketamine’s real-world impact more complex.

Learn more: Ketamine facts

Why ketamine is more dangerous than people think

Ketamine has often been thought of as a young clubgoer’s drug, used occasionally at parties or festivals. However, the latest research suggests this is changing.

The study of New York City nightclub attendees found that increases in past-month ketamine use were particularly pronounced among adults aged 26 and older (up 222%), and among those with a college degree (up 161%), alongside significant increases among people who also used cocaine, MDMA, or LSD.

In other words, ketamine’s growth isn’t confined to younger, stereotypical party-drug users; it’s spreading to an older demographic.

This matters because:

• A widening user base suggests ketamine is becoming more normalized across social settings, rather than confined to a narrow subculture
• Regular use significantly increases the risk of dependency and long-term health harm
• Use alongside other substances increases the risk of dangerous drug interactions

This shift is reflected in harm data, too.

US poison control centers recorded 414 ketamine-related poisoning cases in 2023: the highest number ever reported. Separately, the CDC has reported a rise in the detection of ketamine in overdose deaths.

Taken together, the data suggests that ketamine’s reputation as a low-risk, occasional-use ‘party drug’ may be increasingly out of step with how, and by whom, it’s actually being used.

Side effects and health risks

While ketamine’s dissociative effects may feel manageable or even pleasant to some users in the short term, the drug poses serious risks, some of which can cause irreversible damage.

Short-term effects

These can include:

• Dissociation and a sense of detachment from reality, often described as feeling ‘outside’ the body
• Confusion, disorientation, and impaired judgment
• Loss of coordination and motor control
• Numbness, which can mask pain or injury
• Nausea and vomiting
• Increased heart rate and blood pressure

Because ketamine significantly impairs coordination and awareness, users are also at an increased risk of accidents and injury, as they may be unaware of physical danger and/or unable to react appropriately.

Long-term effects

With repeated or regular use, ketamine can cause more serious, lasting harm, including:

• Ketamine bladder syndrome (uropathy) – one of the most severe and well-documented long-term effects of ketamine misuse. Regular use can cause inflammation and scarring of the bladder wall, leading to chronic pain, a frequent and urgent need to urinate and, in severe cases, permanent bladder damage requiring surgical intervention.
• Cognitive effects – including problems with memory, concentration, and decision-making, particularly with sustained use.
• Dependency – both psychological and, to a lesser extent, physical dependency can develop with regular use, making it harder to stop without support.

Learn more: How long does ketamine stay in your system?

Why this matters for drug testing

As ketamine use becomes more common, spreading beyond its traditional user base, being able to access fast, accurate and affordable at-home drug testing has become more important for concerned families.

For parents, partners, or family members concerned about a loved one’s drug use, an at-home drug test can offer reassurance or much needed clarity, particularly given the shift toward more regular use among adults who may not fit the stereotypical image of a ketamine user.

AlphaBiolabs offers a range of home drug test kits for personal knowledge and peace of mind, including urine, hair and nail tests, allowing you to test for ketamine and numerous other commonly abused substances, such as marijuana and cocaine, discreetly and from the comfort of home.

As the name suggests, the results of these tests are for your personal knowledge only and cannot be used for court or other legal purposes.

For more information about ketamine drug testing, or expert advice on which drug test is right for you, contact our friendly, knowledgeable team on 727-325-2902 or email info@alphabiolabsusa.com.