Rising incidence of recreational ketamine use: Clinical cases and management in emergency settings.

Recreational ketamine use has risen sharply in the Netherlands, especially among young adults in nightlife settings, leading to more first aid incidents often involving combinations with alcohol or MDMA that increase toxicity. Acute intoxication causes agitation, hallucinations, nausea, tachycardia, and hypertension; frequent use can lead to long-term complications like ketamine-induced uropathy. Although ketamine is not currently part of standard toxicological screenings, including it could help diagnose mixed intoxications, rule out other causes, and support referrals to follow-up care, improving diagnostic accuracy and addressing health risks from its growing prevalence.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The recreational use of ketamine has risen significantly in the Netherlands, particularly among young adults in nightlife settings. This trend has been accompanied by an increase in first aid incidents involving ketamine, often in combination with other substances such as alcohol or MDMA, leading to heightened toxicity. Acute intoxication with ketamine manifests through symptoms like agitation, hallucinations, nausea, tachycardia, and hypertension, while frequent use is associated with long-term complications, including ketamine-induced uropathy. Although ketamine is not currently included in standard toxicological screenings, its detection can aid in diagnosing mixed intoxications, excluding alternative causes, and facilitating referral to follow-up care. Routine inclusion of ketamine in toxicological screening could improve diagnostic precision and better address the health risks associated with its growing prevalence.