An Essex based rehabilitation facility has reported admissions for a use rising over 100% from levels half a decade earlier.
The manager of Sanctuary Lodge in Halstead, Jade Clark, bemoaned the poor state of public awareness of dangers and health issues associated with ketamine. Specifically, serious problems with bladder health.
“[They may need] Urine bags fitted for the rest of their lives” Ms Clark explained.
“…that has a massive impact on their self esteem and confidence,”
When misused by human, the drug – often called ket, K, or Special K, can cause serious damage to the bladder, resulting in life long usage difficulties and complications.
Ketamine is a legal drug when used in its proper context. Specifically as a horse tranquiliser. In the improper context it is currently considered Class B under the Misuse of Drugs act 1971.
The drug is reported to enduce feelings of being “Detached, happy, chilled…” according to the substance abuse charity TalkToFrank. However it also can cause “Memory loss, nausea, depression”
Aside from the long term use risks, the short term risks revolve around the loss of pain sensation, leading to the possibility of serious injury without knowing. “When you’ve taken ketamine you can injure yourself and not know it” TalktoFrank explains.
In the last few years there have been some notable cases of ketamine use reaching the headlines. In 2024 the Reverend Geoffrey Baulcoumb was expelled from the Church of England’s after claiming that his ‘periodic’ drug use helped him connect with his parishioners. This claim was “Utterly rejected” by senior Anglican figures involved in his tribunal.
In 2023 Matthew Perry, Hollywood actor and star of the hit sitcom Friends, was found dead from drugs related causes that were later discovered to have been primarily Ketamine.
Finley Worthington, who operates a drug rehabilitation service called Ketamine Education Services, is working through recovery following over half a decade of ketamine usage.
“I started getting ket cramps – I can’t put into words how painful it was – I was rolling around on the floor like a baby with tears in my eyes,” he said.
“Soon after that, I found blood and then a jelly-like substance in my urine – but I was addicted so it was hard to stop.
“I became really scared and didn’t know where to turn until I eventually discovered rehab.
“The scary part for me is that children are taking it – you have children at the age of nine taking it. We need to be going into schools talking about it a lot more to warn them of the dangers.”
“I believe with the ages we see people taking it we need to be talking to Years 5 and 6,” he added.
A spokesperson for the government described rises in ketamine use as “deeply concerning”.
“The Minister for Policing and Crime Prevention has requested advice from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs about reclassifying it as a Class A drug, and will consider that advice carefully and quickly once received,” they said.
