As ketamine use continues to rise across the UK we have surveyed our residential staff and residents to shed light on the growing prevalence, motivations, and harms associated with ketamine use, particularly among young people. We hope this will aid the development of much-needed support for people affected by ketamine use.
The survey paints a stark picture of ketamine’s growing impact on young people in the UK. Insights from residential staff and residents themselves underscore the urgent need for targeted education, specialist treatment pathways, and non-judgmental, compassionate care to address both the physical and social harms of ketamine use.
A Rising Trend Among Young People
Our network of residential treatment services reports a steady increase in ketamine-related admissions to their residential services since 2021. In 2021, just four people cited ketamine as a problem drug; by 2025, that number had risen to 27. Notably, 63% of these individuals were under 30, with the 25–29 age group most affected.
Staff observed that ketamine use often begins in adolescence, sometimes as early as GCSE age, and is frequently linked to clubbing culture, peer pressure, and emotional coping. Many residents reported using ketamine to escape trauma, stress, or difficult emotions—often unaware of the drug’s full risks.
Polydrug Use and Access
While ketamine was often the primary substance of concern, many users also reported combining it with cannabis, alcohol, cocaine, and MDMA. These combinations were typically aimed at balancing effects or easing comedowns.
Residents had accessed ketamine through friends, dealers, social settings like college parties, and increasingly via online platforms such as Snapchat. Methods of use included snorting, swallowing, and smoking, with consumption occurring in homes, public spaces, and even classrooms.
Health Harms
The health consequences of ketamine use reported by the survey are severe and often long-lasting. Our Nurses highlighted Ketamine Bladder Syndrome (KBS), incontinence, and chronic pain as common issues. Some residents required invasive treatments such as nephrostomies and blood transfusions. Long-term damage included irreversible bladder dysfunction, kidney and liver failure, and extreme weight loss.
Residents described their symptoms such as:
- Urinating blood
- Constant pain
- Memory loss
- Fatigue and weakness
- Reduced mobility and self-confidence
One resident reported the death of a friend due to ketamine-related harms.
Social Harms and Stigma
Beyond physical health, ketamine use has led to significant social consequences. These include:
- Family breakdowns
- Housing instability due to incontinence
- Stigma in healthcare settings
- Relationship and employment loss
- Disrupted education
- Experiences of violence and exploitation
Staff noted that stigma from healthcare professionals—such as dismissive or judgmental comments—can deter people from seeking help. These comments tended towards a view of the physical effects of ketamine as being self-inflicted and suggesting people, especially younger people are less worthy of treatment.
Barriers to Support and Treatment
The survey identified several barriers to early intervention including
- Embarrassment and stigma around incontinence
- Lack of specialist ketamine services
- Poor mental health and trauma
- Limited community support post-rehab
Crucially, both staff and residents perceived that residential treatment was only funded after people experienced severe physical decline.
Recommendations for Change
To address these challenges the survey highlighted a number of recommendations from staff and residents including
- Early, factual education in schools
- Peer-led awareness campaigns
- Development of ketamine-specific harm reduction materials
- Creation of dedicated ketamine support groups
- Improved access to urology and pain management services
And most importantly for residential services the development of specialist treatment pathways into detox and rehab that are non-judgmental and considerate of the specific needs of young people.
Action is needed
The survey paints a stark picture of ketamine’s growing impact on young people in the UK. Insights from residential staff and residents themselves underscore the urgent need for targeted education, specialist treatment pathways, and non-judgmental compassionate care to address both the physical and social harms of ketamine use.
