Prolonged ketamine use leads to cognitive impairment, dependency, and conditions like Ketamine Bladder Syndrome.
Early education and integrated mental health support are critical to tackling ketamine addiction effectively.
Ketamine misuse is on the rise, becoming an alarming trend particularly among younger people. This growing issue doesn’t just affect individuals but resonates across society, bringing significant mental and physical health consequences.
Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) highlight the doubling of ketamine use since 2016, with tripling rates among those under 25. This surge in popularity can be linked to its low cost and accessibility.
The rise in ketamine misuse isn’t just a statistic. It’s a stark warning that we need to better understand this drug, its effects and why it has become so attractive, particularly among younger people.
What is ketamine and why is it popular?
Originally developed as an anaesthetic for humans and animals, ketamine is a dissociative drug that creates a trance-like state, distorting perceptions of sights and sounds. While used legitimately in certain medical and psychiatric settings, illicit recreational use has skyrocketed in recent years.
Owen Bowden-Jones, a consultant psychiatrist and founder of the pioneering Club Drug Clinic, sheds light on this rise in popularity. He explains, “My sense is the vast majority are using it to self-medicate for emotional distress. That would suggest to me they found a pharmacological short cut to managing their mental health.” (source The Guardian).
Ketamine’s dissociative qualities make it immensely appealing to individuals seeking to escape feelings of emotional or psychological distress. Combined with its widespread accessibility and relatively cheap prices, it’s no surprise that usage rates are surging among younger age groups.
The mental health effects of ketamine misuse
The misuse of ketamine poses significant risks to mental health, affecting both short-term cognition and long-term psychological well-being.
1. Addiction and dependency
While ketamine initially offers escapism, consistent use can lead to addiction and dependency. Repeated exposure rewires how the brain experiences pleasure and pain, making it harder to cope without the drug.
Specialist clinics have reported an explosion in ketamine-related dependency cases. The Guardian notes that the number of people seeking NHS treatment for ketamine addiction more than doubled from 2019 to 2023, particularly among young people.
2. Mental health challenges
Ketamine use is often driven by an attempt to self-medicate underlying issues, such as anxiety, depression or trauma. However, prolonged use exacerbates emotional instability, leading individuals to become trapped in cycles of dependency.
Tragically, as experts highlight, there remains a significant gap in mental healthcare services for users, leaving many to rely on ketamine’s “emotional anaesthesia” when formal therapy is not accessible.
3. Cognitive impairment
Ketamine misuse damages cognitive functions, including memory, attention span, and problem-solving skills. This neurotoxic impact can impair daily life for users, from academic challenges to strained interpersonal relationships.
The physical health effects of ketamine misuse
1. Bladder and urinary issues (Ketamine Bladder Syndrome)
One of ketamine’s most well-documented consequences is its severe effect on the bladder. Long-term misuse can cause a condition often called Ketamine Bladder Syndrome or Ketamine-Induced Cystitis, leading to urinary incontinence, intense pain, and lasting damage to the bladder lining. Unfortunately, the onset of pain is often only relieved by using more ketamine because readily available pain medication such as paracetamol and ibuprofen isn’t strong enough, leading to a vicious cycle of further physical damage and worsening symptoms that can be irreversible.
2. Liver and kidney damage
Extended use of ketamine can damage major organs, including the liver and kidneys, due to its toxic metabolic byproducts. These conditions usually worsen with continued use, especially among those who inject the drug.
3. Risk of overdose
Like many recreational drugs, ketamine comes with a significant risk of overdose. Overdosing may cause breathing difficulties, unconsciousness, or even death due to its suppressive effects on the central nervous system. This danger escalates further when ketamine is mixed with other substances.
The need for early intervention: Early intervention & education
Owen Bowden-Jones describes ketamine as a “national problem” and emphasises the importance of connecting addiction treatment with mental health services. Currently, many young users “fall through the cracks” due to the systemic divide between these support systems.
Educating young people about the risks of ketamine is essential to curbing its growing popularity. Traditional harm reduction campaigns must be adapted to resonate with younger audiences and counteract ketamine’s reputation as a “safe” party drug.
Given the isolating nature of ketamine addiction, creating community-led support networks can help break the cycle of misuse. Online and local recovery groups can offer non-judgmental spaces for individuals to access guidance, share experiences, and seek help.
Ketamine and its growing impact
Ketamine’s rising popularity among young people highlights broader societal and mental health issues we cannot ignore. From its devastating physical effects, like bladder and liver damage, to its role in worsening mental health challenges, the consequences of unchecked misuse are profound.
If you or someone you know is suffering with ketamine addiction, please do get in touch with us to find out how our multidisciplinary team can help and how to access treatment at Broadway Lodge. You can call us on 01934 815515 (9am – 5pm Monday to Friday), email hello@broadwaylodge.org.uk or send us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
For more information on ketamine misuse and how we can help with residential treatment, please visit our dedicated Ketamine addiction page.
