When Matthew Perry, best known for his role as Chandler Bing on Friends, died in October 2023, people were shocked to learn that ketamine was involved. According to the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner, the primary cause of death was the “acute effects of ketamine.”
Ketamine is gaining more traction because it might improve the symptoms of depression. However, ketamine is not safe for recreational use or self-medication purposes. It can lead to a wide range of complications, including respiratory depression, ketamine bladder syndrome, and psychological dependence.
Despite these concerns, ketamine use is on the rise here in the U.S.. A recent study found that in 2021-2022, adults aged 26-34 were 66% more likely to have used ketamine in the past year compared to adults aged 18-25. In fact, those with college degrees were more than twice as likely to have used ketamine compared to those with a high school education or less.
Wolf Creek Recovery is seeing the same trends in Arizona. As depression rates continue to climb, individuals look for different ways to treat their symptoms. Some place their trust in ketamine, not realizing how dangerous this substance can be outside of medical supervision. Let’s answer the question of, “How long does ketamine stay in your system?” so that you can be informed on how this substance behaves in the body.
How Long Does Ketamine Stay in Your System?
Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that was originally developed for use in human and animal surgery. Not only does it provide pain relief and sedation, but also it causes a trance-like state. This state is the result of the dissociative effects that make a person feel detached from their body or reality.
While ketamine is used medically in controlled settings, it has also gained attention for its off-label use in treating depression, as well as the potential for misuse as a recreational substance. Knowing how long ketamine stays in your system is important for medication interactions, drug testing, and substance use treatment.
How long ketamine stays in the body depends on several factors, including the dose and frequency of use. In general, it can take 24 hours for ketamine to leave the body. However, it can be picked up on drug tests for potentially longer times.
How the Body Metabolizes Ketamine
Ketamine is mainly metabolized in the liver, where it’s broken down into several active and inactive compounds before being eliminated from the body. Let’s look closer at how this process works.
When you take ketamine, whether intravenously, intramuscularly, intranasally, or orally, it travels to the liver. Here, liver enzymes break down the ketamine and convert it into several compounds. The most important ones are norketamine (an active metabolite) and dehydronorketamine.
Norketamine has dissociative and anesthetic effects, but it is weaker than ketamine. Dehydronorketamine and other compounds are additional breakdown products and considered less active. After metabolism, the compounds are excreted mainly through the kidneys in the urine.
How Long Can Ketamine Be Detected on Standard Drug Tests?
Ketamine has a half-life of 2-4 hours, meaning it clears quickly from the bloodstream. After this time, only half the substance is left in the body. However, some metabolites may linger in the body, which means they can show up on standard drug tests.
Urine Tests
Ketamine can typically be detected in urine for 3-5 days after use. However, frequent or heavy use can cause ketamine to accumulate in the body, extending detection times to 5-14 days. Other factors that can cause longer detection periods are poor kidney function, slower metabolisms, and having higher body fat. Standard drug testing doesn’t always include ketamine, so specialized testing may be required.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are less commonly used than urine tests because they are more invasive, but they can be helpful in emergency or medical settings where intoxication levels must be determined. Most standard blood tests do not check for ketamine, so doctors typically have to order a specific test. In general, ketamine is detectable in blood for up to 24 hours. Heavy or frequent use may increase this time to 48 hours.
Hair Tests
Typical hair detection windows for ketamine are around 90 days, possibly longer depending on hair length. Hair testing works by analyzing metabolites that enter the bloodstream and deposit into hair follicles. As the hair grows, these traces get “locked in” and move outward from the scalp. Hair testing is usually used to build a timeline of substance use, which could be helpful in legal cases or substance use monitoring programs.
How Long Does it Take for Ketamine to Completely Leave Your System?
It generally takes about 3 to 5 days for ketamine to completely leave your system, but the exact timeline depends on several factors. While some estimates might say 1 to 3 days, keep in mind that ketamine’s metabolites can remain longer. So, while ketamine itself is mostly cleared from the bloodstream in 24 hours, it may take 3-5 days to fully clear from urine.
Factors That Can Affect How Long Ketamine Remains in Your System
Ketamine doesn’t leave everyone’s body at the same pace. What determines how long ketamine stays in your body? There are several key factors:
- Dosage and frequency of use. Higher doses take longer to process and eliminate from the body. Frequent or chronic use of ketamine and its byproducts can build up in the body, extending the detection window.
- Route of administration. There are different ways to take ketamine, and they can influence how long the substance lingers in the body. IV or intramuscular use results in faster absorption and elimination, while oral or nasal use involves slower processing due to extra steps.
- Metabolism rate. People with faster metabolisms are able to clear ketamine and its metabolites from the body faster. Metabolism is influenced by age, genetics, hormone levels, and activity level.
- Overall health and liver function. Since ketamine is primarily metabolized in the liver, individuals with poor liver function are more likely to hold onto the substance. Kidney function is also important, and staying hydrated can help flush out the kidneys.
What are the Best Treatment Options for Ketamine Use Disorder in Prescott, Arizona?
While ketamine has gained attention for its potential in treating depression and pain, it can be misused, and this can lead to dependence and serious mental and physical health problems. If you or someone you know is experiencing ketamine dependence, you are not alone, and recovery is absolutely possible.
Treatment for ketamine addiction is comprehensive and includes behavioral therapy and counseling, group therapy and peer support, mindfulness and stress reduction, nutritional counseling, family therapy, and aftercare. It’s also important to treat underlying mental health problems like depression. Some individuals, particularly those who use ketamine in frequent, large doses, may need medical detox to ensure safe stabilization.
At Wolf Creek Recovery, we believe that healing from substance use is possible for everyone with the right support, guidance, and care. Our comprehensive programs combine evidence-based treatment, compassionate counseling, and individualized recovery planning to help each person reclaim their life. We even make time for fun through our outdoor therapy program that includes team sports and outdoor activities. Contact us today at 833-732-8202 to speak with our admissions team. Build a life you love.
FAQs About How Long Ketamine Stays in Your System
How long does ketamine stay in your system?
Ketamine stays in your system for about 24 hours, where it’s then eliminated from the body. However, ketamine’s metabolites can remain in the system longer, causing the substance to show up on drug tests several days later.
Does ketamine have a long half-life?
No, ketamine does not have a long half-life. It has a short half-life of 2-4 hours. This is the time it takes for ketamine to decrease by half.
Can drug tests pick up ketamine?
Yes, there are drug tests that can detect ketamine. However, most standard drug tests do not routinely screen for ketamine, which means a special test must be ordered.
Is ketamine legal in Arizona?
Ketamine is legal in Arizona for licensed practitioners only. It is a Schedule III substance by the FDA and illegal for recreational use.
