CITIZENS NEWS

KETAMINE ABUSE puts a generation of British youth at risk

By avagrace // 2025-06-22

• Ketamine abuse among young Britons has risen eight-fold in a decade, with nearly one in 25 admitting to using it. Doctors warn of an epidemic, citing irreversible bladder damage, addiction and deaths.
• The death of drag star The Vivienne (born James Lee Williams) from ketamine-linked cardiac arrest highlights the drug's dangers, exposing a crisis of normalization among youth unaware of its life-threatening risks.
• Originally an anesthetic, ketamine has therapeutic uses but is abused recreationally, causing heart failure, memory loss, organ damage and "k-hole" dissociation.
• Healthcare systems lack preparedness; ER staff often miss ketamine addiction, rehab options are inadequate and families report insufficient support. Experts call for better education, mental health services, and medical guidelines.
• Without intervention, the U.K. risks a "lost generation" to addiction and health damage, emphasizing the need for holistic solutions beyond legislation.

Once dismissed as a niche club drug, ketamine has surged in popularity among young Britons – with devastating consequences. A shocking new report reveals that recreational use of the dangerous substance has risen eight-fold in a decade, with nearly one in 25 young people admitting to taking it. Doctors warn of a growing epidemic as more users suffer irreversible bladder damage, addiction and even death. The tragic demise of drag star The Vivienne (born James Lee Williams) in January from a cardiac arrest linked to ketamine addiction has thrust the issue into the spotlight. But behind the headlines lies a deeper crisis: a generation of young people treating ketamine as a casual pastime, unaware of its life-threatening risks. (Related: Doctors, drug dealers ARRESTED in connection with actor Matthew Perry's ketamine overdose death.) Originally developed as an anesthetic for medical procedures, ketamine – often called "K" or "Ket" – induces a trance-like state, numbing pain while creating hallucinations. In controlled doses, it has legitimate uses in treating severe depression and chronic pain. But when abused recreationally, it can trigger heart failure, memory loss and catastrophic organ damage. Despite being a Class B drug – carrying penalties of up to five years in prison for possession – ketamine is alarmingly accessible, selling for as little as £20 ($26.92) per gram on the streets. Its affordability and false reputation as a "safe" high have fueled its spread among teenagers and young adults. Teachers and addiction specialists report that ketamine use has become disturbingly normalized. Mark O’Hagan, a headteacher in Liverpool, described it as a "rite of passage" for students, with some even using it during school hours. "It’s literally an escape from reality, which can be attractive to people battling anxiety and trauma," said Harry Shapiro, the director of the charity DrugWise. The consequences are dire. Long-term abuse can lead to ketamine-induced uropathy, a condition where the bladder thickens and shrinks – causing excruciating pain, incontinence and even kidney failure. More than a quarter of regular users report bladder problems, with some requiring surgery or transplants.

Current rehabilitation options are inadequate

High doses can also plunge users into a "k-hole," a terrifying state of dissociation where they lose touch with reality. Worse still, tolerance builds rapidly, pushing addicts to consume ever-larger amounts – increasing the risk of overdose. Despite the surge in cases, medical professionals say the healthcare system is woefully unprepared. Many emergency room staff fail to recognize ketamine addiction, leaving sufferers without proper treatment. Addiction psychiatrist Dr. Irene Guerrini warns that current rehabilitation options are inadequate, with no standardized screening tools to detect early-stage addiction. Williams' family has spoken out about the lack of support, revealing that the drag star hid his addiction for years before it turned fatal. Now, they are campaigning for ketamine to be reclassified as a Class A drug, alongside heroin and cocaine, to send a stronger deterrent message. While the British Home Office considers tightening restrictions, experts argue that harsher penalties alone won't curb demand. Previous reclassifications from Class C to B in 2014 did nothing to slow its rise. Instead, doctors urge a multi-pronged approach that includes better education on the drug's dangers. They also encourage expanded mental health services to address underlying trauma driving addiction, and stronger medical guidelines for treating ketamine-related illnesses. Guerrini warns that without urgent action, the United Kingdom risks a lost generation of young people crippled by addiction and irreversible health damage. Ketamine's rise reflects a broader cultural shift where self-medication and escapism replace real solutions for anxiety and depression. Watch a video on what ketamine actually does to the brain. This video is from the Smile for Science channel in Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Another depression medication proves riskier than the disease itself: Researchers recommend an “immense amount of caution” due to side effects. Ketamine being considered as a potential new treatment for depression. Ketamine seen as “fast-acting” for those who suffer from depression. Sources include: DailyMail.co.uk BMJGroup.com TheGuardian.com Brighteon.com

addiction United Kingdom depression drugs mental anxiety relief harmful medicine overdose Dangerous Medicine anesthetic ketamine badhealth badmedicine beat depression ketamine abuse British youth