Ketamine use among young people linked to severe health risks

Health officials and media outlets are highlighting the rising dangers of ketamine use among young people. National figures indicate that ketamine use in this demographic rose by 231% between 2013 and 2024.

Documentaries and awareness campaigns are focusing on the severe physiological consequences of the drug, specifically “ket bladder.” This condition involves toxic impacts on the urinary tract that can cause intense pain, frequent urination, and permanent damage, sometimes requiring total bladder removal. Other risks include damage to the kidneys, memory loss, and mental health struggles.

In the UK, Ketamine Awareness Week—led by the City of York Council, North Yorkshire Council, and local police—is using personal testimonies to encourage early intervention. Survivors of long-term addiction have shared stories of how early use led to homelessness and job loss to warn others that the drug can affect anyone.