Latest drug trends in UK
Staying informed about the latest drug trends is crucial for workplaces that conduct drug testing to ensure they are effectively addressing potential issues. Drug trends can change rapidly, with new substances emerging and existing ones evolving in terms of popularity and availability.
If there's a surprising trend emerging, it's essential for employers to educate themselves about it promptly. This may involve researching the drug, understanding its effects, prevalence, and how it can impact workplace safety and productivity. Additionally, updating drug testing protocols to include screening for the new substance may be necessary to maintain a safe and healthy work environment.
Regular communication and education with employees about the dangers of substance abuse and the consequences of drug use in the workplace can also help mitigate risks associated with emerging drug trends. This month we are discussing Ketamine which has emerged in recent years as a popular drug amongst the younger demographic.
What is Ketamine and should we be drug screening for it?
Ketamine is a medication primarily used for starting and maintaining anesthesia. It induces a trance-like state while providing pain relief, sedation, and memory loss. It's also sometimes used in veterinary medicine. Ketamine belongs to a class of drugs called dissociative anesthetics, which separate perception from sensation.
In addition to its medical uses, ketamine is increasingly being abused recreationally for its dissociative and hallucinogenic effects. When used recreationally, it's often referred to as "Special K" or simply "K." It can induce hallucinations, distortions of reality, and a sense of detachment from oneself and the surroundings.
When ketamine is misused recreationally, it's typically taken orally, snorted, injected, or, less commonly, smoked. Oral ingestion involves consuming liquid ketamine, while snorting, injecting, or smoking involve converting ketamine into powder or crystalline form for nasal inhalation, injection into muscles or veins, or smoking. Each method has its risks and can lead to rapid onset of effects, including addiction, hallucinations, dissociation, impaired judgment, and serious health complications or overdose.
Ketamine can also be addictive and its misuse has greatly increased in recent years predominantly in the younger generation, so if you have a young workforce you should consider adding a ketamine drug screen into your drug testing program.
How Long Does Ketamine Stay In The System
The duration ketamine stays in the system can vary depending on several factors including the individual's metabolism, the frequency and the amount of Ketamine used, and the type of drug test being administered.
Here's a general guideline on how long ketamine can be detected on a drug test:
- Urine: Ketamine can typically be detected in a standard 1000ng ketamine urine drug test for around 3 to 5 days after use. Newer ultra sensitive ketamine urine drug tests like our festival drug test kit may detect it for significantly longer in some cases up to 14 days.
- Saliva: Ketamine can be detected in oral fluid on a saliva drug test for a shorter duration, usually up to 24 hours after use.
- Hair: Ketamine can potentially be detected in hair follicles for a longer period, possibly for up to 90 days after use, but this is less commonly tested.
It's important to note that these are general estimates and individual variations can occur. Additionally, chronic or heavy use may result in longer detection times. If you're concerned about ketamine use and drug testing, please contact us so we can advise the best ketamine drug test for your needs.
Many of our newer drug test kits now contain a screen for ketamine. Below are some of the most popular ones including the latest enhanced sensitivity ketamine urine drug test kits.
Urine drug testing kits that screen for ketamine use:
- GEN-Z Workplace 7 in 1 Urine Drug Test Kit (enhanced sensitivity ketamine 500 ng detection)
- ALLTEST Ultra Sensitive Recruitment 5 Panel Urine Drug Test Kit (ultra sensitive Ketamine 100ng detection)
- Festival urine drug test kit (ultra sensitive ketamine 100 ng detection)
- ALLTEST 10 Panel Employment Urine Cup Drug Test Kit DOA-1107-A1 With Adulteration Strip ( standard ketamine 1000 ng detection )
- ALLTEST 4 Panel Ultra Urine Drug Test Ki (ultra sensitive ketamine 100 ng detection)
- Ketamine urine drug test strips (standard 1000 ng detection)
- ALLTEST 10 Panel Workplace Split Key Cup Urine Drug Test Kit DOA-1107-B1-TRAM/KET (standard 1000 ng sensitivity)
Chronic Ketamine misuse
Chronic use of ketamine can result in tolerance, meaning that higher doses are needed to achieve the desired effects, and withdrawal symptoms can occur when someone stops using the drug. Withdrawal symptoms may include cravings, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and in some cases, cognitive difficulties.
Individual susceptibility to addiction can vary, and factors such as genetics, mental health, social environment, and patterns of use can all contribute to the development of addiction.
If you or someone you know is struggling with ketamine use or any other substance use disorder, it's important to seek help from a healthcare professional or addiction specialist. Treatment options may include therapy, support groups, medication-assisted treatment, or residential rehabilitation programs, depending on the severity of the addiction.