Trends in ketamine use among nightclub attendees in New York City, 2017-2024.

BACKGROUND

Ketamine-related poisonings and law enforcement seizures have been increasing in the United States, but population surveys suggest that recreational use has been rare with trends being relatively stable. This study aimed to estimate trends and correlates of use among nightclub attendees-a population known for high prevalence of party drug use.

METHODS

Adults entering randomly selected nightclubs in New York City were surveyed in 2017 (n = 674), 2018 (n = 724), 2019 (n = 541), 2021 (n = 160), 2022 (n = 322), and 2024 (n = 911) (total N = 3332; 56.3 % male, 52.7 % age ≥26). Trends in lifetime, past-year, and past-month ketamine use were estimated using logistic regression, and correlates and trends in characteristics of people who used in the past month were also estimated.

RESULTS

Between 2017 and 2024, lifetime ketamine use increased from 16.6 % to 22.7 % (a 36.7 % increase), past-year use increased from 7.4 % to 14.3 % (a 94.0 % increase), and past-month use increased from 3.1 % to 6.8 % (an 118.1 % increase, Ps<0.001). Past-month use particularly increased among those aged ≥26 (by 222.0 %), females (by 216.6 %), those with a college degree (by 161.0 %), and among people who identify as bisexual or "other" sexuality (by 445.0 %), and among those who used cocaine (by 213.8 %), ecstasy/MDMA (by 94.9 %), and/or LSD (238.2 %) in the past month (Ps<0.01). Identifying as gay/lesbian (aOR=2.03, 95 % CI: 1.19-3.48) and past-month use of cocaine (aOR=8.17, 95 % CI: 4.97-13.43) in particular were associated with increased odds for past-month use.

CONCLUSIONS

Recreational ketamine use is increasing among this population so an increased focus on both prevention and harm reduction is needed.