Past-Year Ketamine Use: Evidence from a United States Population, 2015-2019

Ketamine is an analgesic that has gained notoriety in nightclub scenes. Yet, a paucity of research exists on the prevalence and associated factors in the United States (US). The present study estimated the prevalence of past-year ketamine use among a national sample of US adults and investigated sociodemographic characteristics and past-year use of other substances associated with past-year ketamine use. Data from the 2015-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health was conducted among 210,392 adults over the ages of 18 years old. An estimated 0.13% of adults used ketamine in the past year, with males more likely to use. Significant risk factors included past-year drug use and sexual minority status, with sexual minority males reporting more than use of one substance at highest risk for ketamine use. Findings from the present study may inform harm reduction efforts and policy initiatives.