Mountainside Warns of Ketamine Risks at American Colleges and Universities

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--As recent headlines ignite conversations about ketamine use across campuses, Mountainside Treatment Center is urging colleges and universities to ensure students have clear information about the dangers of ketamine and to make support available to the campus community.

Ketamine was first synthesized in 1962 and approved by the U.S. FDA in 1970. It is primarily used as an anesthetic in medical settings but has gained attention for its off-label use in treating conditions like depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. Being prescribed ketamine while also taking other prescription medications without coordination of care is an additional concern.

Ketamine is also known as a party drug and has grown in popularity in recent years. Users can report a sensation colloquially known as a “k-hole,” an intense, unpleasant experience characterized by severe dissociation and hallucinations. For someone with a history of substance use, or who takes other prescriptions, ketamine prescribed without coordination among their providers carries added risk.

“We have seen an increase in ketamine use among the people we serve, particularly those under 26,” said Daniel Sexton, Program Manager of Outpatient Services at Mountainside Treatment Center. “Because ketamine can affect memory, coordination and perception, students may underestimate its risks—especially when it is used outside a medical setting or alongside alcohol.”

Mountainside encourages colleges to talk openly about ketamine and other substances, train staff to respond without judgment and make confidential support and medical care readily available. Students should know where they can turn if they feel unexpectedly impaired or have gaps in their memory.

"Most students won't walk into a counseling center to ask about ketamine or other emerging substances, so colleges and their community partners have to bring that conversation to them, at orientation, in residence halls and wherever students already are," said Laura Maguire, Vice President of Educational Partnerships at Mountainside Treatment Center.

About Mountainside Treatment Center

Mountainside Treatment Center is a nationally recognized behavioral health organization specializing in the treatment of substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health conditions. Through evidence-based care, innovative programming, and community partnerships, Mountainside helps build meaningful lives in recovery.