Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Megan Harmes first experimented with ketamine at the age of 14. Now, ten years later, she is receiving rehabilitation to recover after suffering severe bladder damage caused by the drug, which has forced her to wear incontinence pads. The drugs charity Kaleidoscope has reported a significant surge in referrals for ketamine detox and rehabilitation in recent years. While only two people were referred in 2021, this year alone, the number has risen sharply to 112, most of whom are aged between 18 and 24.
The University of South Wales has launched research focused on the specific needs of this younger demographic, highlighting that the harms from prolonged and increasing ketamine use develop much faster than those associated with alcohol or Class A drugs. According to Kaleidoscope, services normally designed for older drug users must now adjust to address the unique requirements of younger clients, many of whom began their drug use while still at school. Megan’s story illustrates these challenges. Living in Flint, north Wales, she began using ketamine more extensively during the pandemic lockdown. Working from home as an aeronautical engineering apprentice, she found the drug was inexpensive and readily available, which facilitated her frequent use.
Megan explained that at her worst, she was taking ketamine “all day, every day,” using it to manage symptoms related to ADHD and borderline personality disorder. “I’m very hyperactive now that I’m sober. I haven’t been like that since I was 14, it suppressed pretty much everything,” she said. However, her ketamine dependency led to the loss of her apprenticeship and caused a downward spiral. Although she eventually found another job, working nights for four years only deepened her drug use, as she relied on ketamine to stay awake. For the past two years, Megan has endured intense pain and loss of bladder control, requiring her to wear pads. She described how “for a 22-year-old wearing pads or nappies, it takes away all dignity.” Yet, after more than a month in rehab, she feels she is recovering and has regained hope for her future.
Jo Moore, manager of Kaleidoscope’s Birchwood rehabilitation centre, noted the dramatic increase in ketamine-related admissions. “Since January this year we’ve seen 112 people come through the door,” she said, with ketamine users making up half of their current clientele. Moore pointed out that ketamine’s affordability and accessibility contribute to its widespread and heavy use. Though ketamine is legally prescribed in medical settings as a dissociative anaesthetic, its illegal use has grown since it was classified as a Class B drug in 2014. Government estimates indicate that approximately 264,000 people aged 16 to 59 in the UK used ketamine illicitly in 2024-25, with treatment referrals for ketamine use disorders having increased twelvefold over ten years. While younger people primarily drive this trend, Moore observed a recent rise in cases among adults aged 25 to 34, particularly in Cardiff and southeast Wales.
Research by Dr Darren Quelch of the University of South Wales reveals that ketamine use often begins as early as 13, and persistent use can cause physical harm ranging from memory issues and chronic pain to serious bladder and kidney damage. He pointed out that drug and alcohol treatment services are struggling to manage the complex medical complications that arise from heavy ketamine use, stating, “Their bread and butter isn’t dealing with really complex medical presentations.” Dr Quelch is working closely with Kaleidoscope to identify effective support measures for this distinct patient group, emphasizing that “the population is inherently different to lots of other groups that might engage with drug and alcohol treatment services.”
Mark, who preferred to remain anonymous, shared the devastating impact ketamine has had on his health and life. By age 25, he felt his body resembled that of an 80-year-old, describing himself as “no longer functioning like a proper human being.” Once a keen footballer growing up in Liverpool, Mark now watches others walk without pain with envy. His drug use, which began at 18 and escalated to large quantities of cocaine and ketamine by 21, resulted in severe bladder issues and the collapse of his nose from repeated snorting. This physical damage crushed his self-confidence, leading to a vicious cycle of increased drug use. His struggle, which included shame and alienation from family, reflects broader challenges found by Dr Quelch, who noted young users frequently face difficulties receiving appropriate care in A&E and GP settings due to the lack of awareness around ketamine’s effects.
Despite these obstacles, progress is being made. Moore highlighted improvements in early intervention available in the community, which have helped reduce the need for detox admissions. She noted that education in schools, colleges, and universities is proving effective in preventing new cases of ketamine use. However, the ongoing rise in individuals who have been using ketamine for several years means support services must continue adapting. Moore stressed the importance of involving people with lived experience, describing Prya’s work at Birchwood as a “really unique and impactful” peer environment free from judgement and stigma.
Dr Quelch acknowledged that many questions remain unanswered about the longer-term consequences of ketamine use, including the high relapse rates seen in patients. “We don’t know the recoverability of their bodies,” he said, and noted that those resuming ketamine use after abstinence often experience harm much more quickly. He praised the peer-support model at Kaleidoscope as valuable and something to emulate widely. Meanwhile, Mark is focused on his future and committed to giving back. “I get joy now from helping other people who are struggling,” he affirmed. “I was there once and I know how much it means to get someone to help you.
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.