Children as Young as 13 Developing Bladder Damage from Ketamine Addiction

Children as young as 13 are suffering from severe bladder damage due to ketamine addiction, according to an alarming study from a specialist NHS clinic in Liverpool. The condition, known as ketamine-induced uropathy (KIU) or ketamine bladder, results from the drug damaging the bladder, urinary tubes, and kidneys, leading to symptoms such as frequent urination, loss of bladder control, and blood in the urine.

The UK's first KIU clinic was established at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust in May 2025 in response to an increasing number of young people presenting with the condition. An analysis of the clinic's first 60 patients, conducted by researchers from Alder Hey and Lancaster University, revealed that the average age of these children was 14, with some beginning ketamine use as early as 13. The study, published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood, indicated that patients had typically used ketamine for one to two years before seeking treatment.

Further findings from the study showed that many young patients were using ketamine in combination with other substances. Half of the patients reported concurrent use of other drugs, while over a quarter (27 percent) consumed alcohol and 48 percent used vapes. The demographic data revealed that approximately two-thirds of the patients were girls, and a similar proportion resided in the most deprived areas. Additionally, 16 patients had been diagnosed with autism, ADHD, or both, and one in five had experience with the care system. Nearly three-quarters (72 percent) of the patients had experienced childhood emotional trauma.

Ms. Harriet Corbett, a consultant pediatric urologist at Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust, emphasized the escalating number of young people being referred with ketamine-induced bladder symptoms. She noted the importance of understanding the individual circumstances of each young patient, including their age, location, background, and life experiences, to develop effective support strategies. Corbett warned that the damage caused by ketamine can be severe and irreversible, potentially leading to chronic bladder pain, incontinence, and in the most critical cases, major surgery or dialysis.

Professor Rachel Isba, a consultant in pediatric public health medicine at Alder Hey and professor emerita at Lancaster University, highlighted the study's aim to understand the broader context surrounding ketamine use among young people. She explained that ketamine use does not occur in isolation and that the analysis helps explore factors associated with the development of serious health problems. The findings, she stated, provide a better understanding of the young individuals treated at the clinic and prompt critical questions about early intervention and service development.

The Alder Hey clinic adopts a "non-judgmental" approach, offering a safe space for young people to discuss their situations and collaboratively create plans to cease ketamine use and prevent further harm. Professor Isba believes that the insights gained from the clinic's first year of operation will be crucial in identifying at-risk youth and providing support to avert irreversible damage, both within healthcare settings and the wider community.