Rehab Centers See Surge in Young Ketamine Users Requiring Specialized Care

Rehabilitation centers are experiencing a significant increase in young adults seeking treatment for ketamine addiction, prompting a need for specialized care tailored to their distinct needs. The drugs charity Kaleidoscope reports a dramatic rise in referrals to its detox and rehabilitation facilities, with numbers jumping from two in 2021 to 112 so far this year. The majority of these clients are between 18 and 24 years old.

Emerging Health Concerns

Research is underway at the University of South Wales to understand the specific requirements of this demographic. Experts note that the harm caused by chronic ketamine use can manifest much more rapidly than with substances like alcohol or Class A drugs. Services traditionally designed for older adults are finding it necessary to adapt, as younger users often develop habits while still in school and present with more complex needs.

Megan Harmes, 24, began using ketamine at 14. Her use escalated during lockdown, as working from home on full pay and the drug's decreased price made it more accessible. At its peak, she was using the drug constantly, using it to suppress symptoms of ADHD and borderline personality disorder. This prolonged use led to severe bladder issues, requiring her to wear incontinence pads by age 22 and contributing to the loss of an aeronautical engineering apprenticeship.

"For a 22-year-old wearing pads or nappies, it takes away all dignity," Harmes stated. She is now in rehabilitation and is beginning to recover.

Adapting Treatment Services

Jo Moore, who runs Birchwood rehabilitation facility for Kaleidoscope, confirmed the surge, stating that five years ago, they received one ketamine-related referral for inpatient detox. This year, that number has reached 112, with half of their current clients being treated for ketamine use.

"It's very, very cheap and very accessible – that's what allows people to use it more frequently and at large amounts at the same time," Moore explained. Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic prescribed for medical and veterinary use, was reclassified as a Class B drug in the UK in 2014, making its illicit possession, supply, or production illegal.

Wider Impact and Research

Estimates suggest that around 264,000 people in the UK between the ages of 16 and 59 used ketamine in 2024-25, with a twelvefold increase in those seeking treatment for ketamine use disorders over the past decade. While younger individuals have driven this trend, the last year has also seen an increase in referrals for adults aged 25 to 34.

Dr. Darren Quelch of the University of South Wales noted that research indicates some individuals start using ketamine as young as 13. The physical consequences of persistent use can include memory problems, chronic pain, bladder damage, and kidney failure. He highlighted that support services face the challenge of addressing complex medical presentations for which optimal treatment strategies are still being determined.

"Their bread and butter isn't dealing with really complex medical presentations," Quelch said. "Even if they were, we actually don't know what the right answer is yet."

Young users also report difficulties accessing appropriate care through GPs and A&E departments, where their symptoms may not always be directly linked to ketamine use, or the connection is not proactively explored. The lack of specific provisions for young people experiencing drug and alcohol-related harms has created a significant gap in services.

Despite these challenges, efforts are being made to improve the situation. Greater availability of early intervention in the community is reducing the need for detox. "We're seeing less people presenting to services with a new substance use of ketamine – so the education in schools, colleges and universities is actually working," Moore observed. However, she added, "we are seeing an increase in people that have been using for a couple of years that we are going to continue to have to help and support."

Long-Term Outlook

The full scope of the ketamine problem and its long-term health implications remain subjects of ongoing research. Anecdotal evidence suggests relapse is a significant issue for this group, and the recoverability of their bodies is not yet fully understood. Quelch noted that harms can appear more rapidly upon resuming use after a period of abstinence.

Work is being done to incorporate peer support, drawing on the successes of programs like the one at Birchwood, which has been praised for its lack of judgment and stigmatization. Individuals who have experienced addiction firsthand are playing a crucial role in offering support and hope to others navigating similar struggles.