Could Ketamine Addiction Become the UK's Next Drug Crisis?
Despite the surge in use, many users — and even frontline clinicians — remain unaware of the drug's addictive potential and its severe physical health consequences, including bladder failure, kidney damage, and extreme weight loss.
According to the Home Office, an estimated 299,000 people aged 16-59 had reported ketamine use in the year ending March 2023 – the largest number on record.
In a June 2025 editorial in The BMJ , addiction psychiatrists said that 3609 people began treatment for ketamine addiction in 2023-2024. That is more than eight times the number recorded in 2014-2015.
The drug's relatively low cost made it popular among young people, according to the experts from King's College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
'Not Just a Party Drug'
Dr Irene Guerrini
Consultant addiction psychiatrist Dr Irene Guerrini, who led the study, told Medscape News UK : 'The vast majority of clinicians think ketamine is a party drug used at clubs and raves, but it's not just that. My young patients often go to A&E and primary care and are told ketamine is not addictive, but it is addictive and can cause serious harm.'
Guerrini said that ketamine uropathy is the most common complication of frequent use.
'It causes serious bladder, kidney and liver problems, and often extreme weight loss, which can be confused with an eating disorder by some health professionals.'
Earlier this month, Alder Hey children's hospital in Liverpool opened a specialist ketamine clinic to treat young people under 16 for ketamine-induced uropathy.
Physical and Psychological Harm
A separate study by the University of Exeter and University College London (UCL), published in the journal Addiction in April, also found a strong link between ketamine addiction and physical and psychological health problems.
Among 274 people with ketamine use disorder, 60% had experienced bladder or nasal problems. More than half (56%) reported painful cramping in the abdomen, known as 'k-cramps'. Chemicals released when ketamine breaks down in the body can damage the bladder lining, leading to pain, bleeding, and scarring.
Some bladder damage was so severe that it required bladder removal and the use of a urostomy bag.
Celia Morgan
Study author Professor Celia Morgan, of the University of Exeter told Medscape News UK , ' Ketamine use is increasing. We have observed users are younger and the trajectory to dependence seems fast in some individuals.
'In those who are sucked in to repeated heavy ketamine use, the physical consequences are severe in terms of bladder complications, but also dramatic weight loss and in severe cases, multi-organ failure.'
Sharp Rise in Rehab Admissions
UK Addiction Treatment (UKAT) centres have reported a surge in people seeking help.
Zaheen Ahmed
Zaheen Ahmed, director of addiction treatment at UKAT, told Medscape News UK that there had been ' a staggering rise in both enquiries for help and admissions into our centres'.
Admissions were up 35% in 2024 compared with the previous year.
'Ketamine addiction has become the norm, and we're seeing it and treating it daily now,' he said.
Ahmed warned, 'Ketamine is a really dangerous drug, because it doesn't give the user an awful come down like other substances do.' The drug is also 'incredibly cheap, making it very appealing, especially to young people'.
Medical Use and Misuse
Ketamine is used clinically as an anaesthetic. At lower doses, it is prescribed for chronic pain, treatment-resistant depression, and suicidality.
It is also being trialled in studies to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe alcohol dependence.
However, experts have warned that increasing availability through private clinics may normalise unsupervised or self-directed use.
The drug has also been linked to the deaths of Friends actor Matthew Perry and drag performer The Vivienne.
Missed Diagnoses in Primary Care
The Exeter/UCL Study found that most people with ketamine use disorder do not seek treatment. Existing services are often perceived as ineffective.
'In our study, a common report was that doctors and health professionals were ignorant to ketamine addiction and its physical health impacts,' said Morgan. 'We need to urgently raise awareness and educate professionals of this often devastating and life-threatening condition.'
Guerrini agreed that doctors should be more alert to the possibility of ketamine addition. 'M aybe if I'm a GP and see a particularly young patient coming to me with a urinary tract problem like cystitis, be I'll be more inquisitive, ask the correct questions, and think maybe this patient is on ketamine.'
Similarly, A&E doctors should develop 'clinical curiosity' if a young patient has high liver enzymes and severe pain.
Guerrini called for better diagnostic tools, a national registry, and earlier screening to support treatment and help evaluate emerging therapies.
'It's important to increase awareness among professionals and encourage joined up working between substance misuse services, urology services, and mental health services, as these young people often have chronic depression along with physical issues caused by ketamine,' she said.
Government Considering Reclassification
Ketamine is currently controlled as a Class B substance. The maximum penalty for supplying and producing it is up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.
Earlier this year, the Home Office asked independent experts for advice on whether ketamine should remain controlled as a Class B substance or become a Class A drug.
Ahmed said that reclassification would increase penalties for dealers, but more importantly, ' it will hopefully discourage young people especially to even experiment with it at all'.
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