This shows a person at a crossroads.
Participants also painted a picture of a lack of understanding among health professionals. Credit: Neuroscience News

Ketamine’s Hidden Physical and Psychological Damage

Summary: A new study highlights the severe physical and psychological consequences linked to ketamine addiction, with many users unaware of the risks until dependent. Researchers found high rates of bladder damage, painful organ cramps, low mood, and anxiety among those with ketamine use disorder.

Despite the serious health impacts, nearly half of affected individuals had not sought treatment, and many reported poor experiences with healthcare providers. The findings call for better public awareness, improved clinical recognition, and more effective treatment programs for ketamine addiction.

Key Facts:

  • Severe Health Impacts: 60% of ketamine users reported bladder or nasal problems, and over half experienced painful organ cramps.
  • Low Treatment Access: Only 56% sought help, and only 36% of those were satisfied with their care.
  • Awareness Gap: Many users were unaware ketamine could cause addiction until it was too late, highlighting urgent public education needs.

Source: University of Exeter

Ketamine addiction is linked to high levels of physical health problems and psychological consequences, with nearly half of those affected not seeking support or treatment, new research has revealed.

The study, led by the University of Exeter and University College London (UCL), is the largest to date to explore the experience of people currently living with ketamine addiction in-depth.

Supported by NIHR, the research included interviews with users, in which many said they were not aware of the risks of addiction until their ketamine use was already out of control, with one calling ketamine “the heroin of a generation”.

Researchers studied 274 people who identified as having ketamine use disorder, and found previously under-reported symptoms. Of those, 60 per cent had experienced bladder or nasal problems.

The study also found that 56 per cent reported K-cramps – a painful organ cramping linked to excessive ketamine use, with which can often drive people back to the drug to seek relief from the pain of this symptom.

Bladder problems can involve needing a full bladder removal, and the need for a urostomy bag to collect urine.

Psychological symptoms included cravings, low mood, anxiety and irritability.  The research, published in Addiction, found that only 56 per cent of participants sought treatment, and only 36 per cent of those were satisfied with their care.

Study author Professor Celia Morgan, of University of Exeter, said: “We know that ketamine use is on the rise, with a number of high-profile tragedies linked to ketamine addiction.

“Meanwhile, a growing number of clinical trials are finding therapeutic benefits involving ketamine in carefully-controlled environments, combined with therapy.

“Our research is the first to analyse in-depth the experience of people using very large amounts of ketamine, and shows the devastating physical health problems people can face with dependent ketamine use. 

“Our study also highlights the barriers that people with ketamine addiction face when they try to seek treatment, often being sent away from treatment services.”

Uk government data indicates that ketamine use has more than doubled since 2016, with a threefold increase among 25-year-olds.

To investigate the impact on those who develop an addition to ketamine, the study involved both questionnaires and interviews.

In the study, 59 per cent of participants reported that there was “definitely not” enough awareness in education and among peer groups around the risks associated with ketamine, with many reporting that they did not know the drug could be addictive. Many reported feeling too embarrassed to seek treatment.

In interviews, one participant said: “People know the risks about Heroin and Cocaine, but not how the addiction to Ketamine can become even stronger than being addicted to heroin or cocaine.”

While another told researchers:

“I feel it is the heroin of a generation, and more information will become available once more time passes and more people my age begin to suffer so greatly from misuse that it can’t be hidden anymore.

Participants also painted a picture of a lack of understanding among health professionals. One said: All they did was give me painkillers and send me on my way”, while another reported “GP doesn’t think ketamine is addictive, just told me to stop, doesn’t have a clue”.

Co-author Rebecca Harding, a PhD candidate at University College London, said: “Our study highlights the need for greater recognition of the significant physical and psychological risks associated with ketamine, both among healthcare professionals and the general public.

“We need improved treatment programs, while raising awareness of ketamine use, to better support those seeking care. By focusing on evidence-based treatments, such as specialised group therapy and pharmacological interventions, we can improve access to effective treatment and address the growing challenge of ketamine use disorder.”

About this addiction and mental health research news

Author: Louise Vennells
Source: University of Exeter
Contact: Louise Vennells – University of Exeter
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News

Original Research: Open access.
The landscape of ketamine use disorder: patient experiences and perspectives on current treatment options” by Celia Morgan et al. Addiction


Abstract

The landscape of ketamine use disorder: patient experiences and perspectives on current treatment options

Aims

To report the symptoms and aetiology of ketamine use disorder (KUD), gauge the effectiveness of current treatment services and identify strategies to enhance patient access and outcomes.

Design

Mixed-methods, cross-sectional questionnaire. Electronic survey from November 2023 to April 2024.

Setting

Participants were recruited through snowball sampling, social media and referrals from UK addiction treatment services. The survey was open to international participants, with responses collected from the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Europe and Australia.

Participants/Cases

A total of 274 individuals with self-identified KUD, including both treatment-seeking (40%) and non-treatment-seeking (60%) current or former ketamine users. Participants’ ages ranged from 18 to 67 years old, with 47.7% identifying as male. Additionally, 58.8% reported a diagnosed mental health disorder.

On average, participants consumed 2.0 g of ketamine per day, with treatment-seeking individuals reporting higher average use (M = 2.67 g) than non-treatment-seeking users (M = 1.68 g) (P < 0.001).

Measurements

Participants completed an online questionnaire addressing their attitudes toward ketamine and treatment services, including questions pertaining to their symptoms of problematic ketamine use, perceptions of education and awareness about KUD, opinions of existing treatment options, and facilitators for seeking treatment.

Findings

The study identified various physical symptoms associated with KUD, with bladder problems (60%), nasal problems (60%) and ‘K-cramps’ (56%) being commonly reported among all users. In response to these symptoms, the majority (56%) did not seek treatment; among treatment-seeking users only 36% reported feeling satisfied with their care.

Symptoms of abstinence syndrome were also identified, including cravings (71%), low mood (62%), anxiety (59%) and irritability (45%). Treatment-seeking participants reported that the services they used had little (31%) or some (31%) awareness of ketamine, were not tailored to ketamine use (43%) and were generally only somewhat effective (43%).

Fifty-nine percent of participants reported that there was “definitely not” sufficient awareness in education and peer groups about the risks associated with ketamine use. When asked about the most important factors when choosing a treatment program, cost/affordability was the most cited for all participants.

Conclusions

Ketamine use disorder (KUD) appears to be associated with a high prevalence of physical and psychological symptoms, including some specifically linked to abstinence. Despite this, most individuals with KUD do not seek treatment, and existing services are often perceived as ineffective.

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  1. Unfortunately, I believe you have nt watched the increase desire for ketamine when started . My daughter started using k as a fun drug late teens . Now she is in her early 20s , has bladder problems , and all the other s described, anxiety , constant bladder pain , depression, low energy . When she stops , it is very similar to the withdrawal of herion . She can’t find anywhere to support her properly. She informs doctors, more than them helping her . In my opinion, it is as bad as herion withdrawal. I’m so scared for her as , we are at a lose where to seek any real help . Unless we can afford to send her to rehab , which we don’t. This drug when used in the wrong way , is a killer . N those that disagree are obviously unaware of the scale of the attack it has on these young adults, n , I for , one , will support it to be a critical medical problem, n , need s re assessment of the way addicts should be treated!!! I am in bits not knowing how to help her any more .

  2. Ketamine is definitely a dangerous substance and I am personally addicted to it as hell.
    One thing is true though: when I take ketamine, I’m not interested in other substances. I am not addicted to or even interested in THC when I’m high on ketamine and weed was always my main problem in life.
    All things in moderation are fine, but for some people, there’s nothing easier than going overboard.

  3. I’ve been on so many antidepressants and ketamine was the only thing that helped. Unfortunately I couldn’t afford it anymore and I’m now back on antidepressants and I’m more depressed and anxious than ever. Thanks 👍🏼

  4. 2 g’s per day isn’t a treatment protocol for Depression. Which in the U.S. is typically 6 sessions within three weeks. This article is written to cause controversy and potentially harms individuals who are seeking care. I hope you’re proud of yourselfs.

  5. You absolute fucking idiots. You know how many people I know who have died from ketamine overdose? Zero. From heroine? Dozens. The heroine of our generation? Are you fucking kidding me? I was on antidepressants/SSRIs for 18 years, and benzodiapenes for 8 years before I found ketamine infusion therapy. I spent 14 years abusing cocaine, meth, and molly to try to deal with the PTSD and major depression disorder I was dealing with a long side those medications. Less than a year later of starting ketamine infusions, and prescribed at home ketamine troches, I am off antidepressants, off benzodiapenes, and 3 years completely sober from illegal substances. You fucking fools, of course if youre abusing ketamine you’re going to have problems. But comparing the value ketamine has to heroine use? Are you fucking kidding me? No one Ive ever met felt better mentally when using heroin. They were addicted to the physical feeling. And they died with needles in their arms. Not a single person I have met or known has struggled with ketamine abusively or otherwise. I’m not saying it’s not possible, of course it is, but how dare you take something life saving to those who use it responsibly and compare it to heroin. Go fuck yourselves. This article is harmful to those of us truly searching for peace and not an escape. Fucking nonsense shame on you for posting this article.

    1. I believe it would be hard at least for me to get addicted to K, just makes me feel way too weird and definitely not euphoric, but definitely relived me of depression in the long run.

    2. I believe it would be hard at least for me to get addicted to K, just makes me feel way too weird and definitely not euphoric, but definitely relived me of depression in the long run.

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