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Ellie Wight began using ketamine at the age of 18, initially appreciating the drug’s ability to make her feel free of worries and more comfortable in social situations. She believed ketamine was a relatively safe alternative to other substances and did not anticipate encountering any serious problems. However, after five years of regular use, the 23-year-old now suffers from permanent bladder damage caused by the drug.
Ketamine is commonly employed within the NHS as an anesthetic, sedative, and painkiller, and also has applications in veterinary medicine. Its hallucinogenic properties have led to it being labeled a “party drug,” with a rising trend of recreational use among increasingly younger individuals. Ellie points out that ketamine was not only easy to obtain but also inexpensive. At her worst, she was consuming around 3.5 grams a day, costing her roughly £40 or less.
Within just six months of starting to use ketamine, Ellie began experiencing symptoms associated with ketamine urinary tract syndrome, often referred to as “ketamine bladder.” This condition involves inflammation of the bladder walls, frequent and urgent urination, and recurrent urinary tract infections. Ellie recalls moments of distress, such as feeling an urgent need to urinate while stuck in traffic but being physically unable to hold it, which caused significant mental strain. The drug’s effects on the bladder result from irritation caused as ketamine is metabolized and expelled in urine, eventually leading to fibrosis that reduces bladder elasticity and capacity. While a healthy bladder typically holds 300 to 600 milliliters of urine, Ellie’s bladder can now only manage between 50 and 100 milliliters.
Despite quitting ketamine initially and seeing some improvement in her bladder condition, Ellie resumed usage, which led to permanent damage that has persisted for at least 10 months since she last took the drug. A government report released in March 2024 highlighted a 231% increase in ketamine use among 16 to 24-year-olds in England and Wales since 2013. Although similar data is not collected in Scotland, urologists there observe a sharp rise in young patients showing symptoms of ketamine-related urinary tract damage. Justine Royle, a consultant urological surgeon at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, has overseen the establishment of a specialist clinic to address ‘ketamine bladder’ cases. She notes the increase from one or two cases per year to one or two per month, emphasizing that the situation could worsen. Royle describes these patients as typically young, healthy, and often under the misconception that ketamine use is harmless, though they in fact risk severe and irreversible bodily harm. She also highlights that damage extends beyond the urinary tract, impacting erectile function, the liver, and potentially the brain, with some cases even involving cardiac arrest related to kidney failure.
Another individual affected by ketamine misuse is Claire (a pseudonym), who battled a five-year addiction. At the peak of her use, she consumed between 14 and 21 grams daily, worth about £150. Claire describes this period as extremely difficult, marked by severe physical illness and overwhelming mental despair. She now relies on nephrostomy tubes to drain urine directly from her kidneys due to extensive bladder damage. Claire explains that the pain from ketamine bladder syndrome often compels users to continue taking the drug to gain temporary relief, creating a destructive cycle. She admits that despite hospital stays, she would resume ketamine use shortly after discharge.
Having been ketamine-free for 10 months, Ellie has founded a peer support group called Safe Space Ketamine Recovery to assist others struggling with addiction. She stresses the importance of having a community that understands the specific challenges related to ketamine, such as incontinence. Ellie also warns against the naivety common among young people, noting that some believe negative consequences will only affect others but not themselves, stating, “Maybe if it doesn’t happen straight away it will come. I just think it’s not worth it.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
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