Trends in nonmedical ketamine use, poisonings, related deaths, pharmaceutical diversions, and law enforcement seizures: results from annual population-based repeated cross-sectional studies.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The ketamine landscape in the USA is rapidly shifting, especially given recent increases in off-label prescribing of ketamine as a psychiatric treatment. Research is needed to determine the extent to which illicit ketamine is available, nonmedically used, and associated with morbidity and mortality in the USA.

Methods

This observational study used eight unique annual repeated cross-sectional datasets to examine illicit ketamine availability (using seizure data as a proxy), use, and consequences of use, including self-reported nonmedical use among noninstitutionalized individuals aged ≥12 years (2006-2014, 2015-2019, and 2021-2023) and among 12th grade students (2000-2023). Further, it assessed reported ketamine-related poisonings (1991-2023) and mortalities (2020-

SUBMITTER: Palamar JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12664584 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature